I’m a film school graduate and have written, directed, and edited four feature films. Because of this, I strongly believe that a truly comprehensive education about filmmaking can only be acquired on a set. With this disclaimer made, some might assume that I’m not the best person to review a site like FilmSkills.com, which offers tools for people who desire to learn about filmmaking online. However, MFM’s editor, Jeremy Hanke, felt that this made me uniquely qualified TO review Film Skills website. As MFM has a heart for decentralizing film training, so that someone in outer Mongolia can be equipped to make films, not just someone in New York or LA, it was important that the reviewer of this site be someone who could really put the site through its paces. Who better to be able to tell you how close a website has come to hitting the mark for filmmaking training, than someone who’s been through a traditional brick-and-morter curriculum?
Main Film Skills Website.
With that said, there is a lot to like about FilmSkills.com, and while it cannot possibly offer the insights and education one would acquire through hands-on, practical experience, it does offer a comprehensive collection of useful, well-organized, and surprisingly thorough educational tools for the aspiring filmmaker. It’s a fantastic academic resource, populated with a wealth of knowledge that is generously supplied by industry professionals. As an academic examination of the nature of filmmaking, it is surprisingly comprehensive and accessible, and an invaluable supplemental tool that will only strengthen an aspiring filmmaker’s vocabulary, comprehension, and knowledge base.
For websites that offer to teach aspects of this industry, FilmSkills.com is about as good as it can possibly get.
Comprehension
The Filmskills homepage makes a pretty gutsy declaration right out of the gate, calling the site “the visual way to learn filmmaking.” The site is primarily comprised of an overwhelming number of online training videos that are meant to cover generating the idea for a screenplay, the final steps of post-production on a finished film, and everything in between.
Called “Modules,” the training videos range in length from a few minutes to well over a half hour, depending on how complicated the topic they explore is. Included with each module are text-based summaries and supporting material, links to valuable equipment and/or software specific to the module’s topic, insights from professionals, and supplemental resources.
These modules, which number over 100 at the moment with new additions appearing monthly, feature passionate and experienced hosts to walk you through the various topics. They’re cleanly produced, demonstrating that the people behind Filmskills know how to competently put together a video presentation, an essential facet of a site like this. There’s nothing like “learning” filmmaking from people who can’t seem to properly frame a shot or create a clean graphic, and the production value on display in the modules instills confidence.
Jason J. Tomaric, the award-winning director and cinematographer who created FilmSkills, serves as a tour-guide of sorts, hosting the video presentations and displaying a wide range of expertise about the various aspects of production. Affable and able to convey complex ideas in a simple, digestible format, Tomaric gives the sprawling curriculum the sense of a consistent, competent through-line.
Beyond the Modules, which are truly the meat and potatoes of the site, the other major function on the home page is a link to “Access Your Profile.” The profile feature is designed like an online resume page, allowing users to upload demo reels, equipment lists, awards, photos, and contact information in an effort to market their services to potential employers who are using the site. It also allows users to keep Bookmarks, a very useful feature considering the overwhelming amount of material on the site, and record their own insights about the modules.
Video Training Makes It Really Easy to See What They're Teaching You!
Depth of Information
Because such a wide array of topics are covered on the site, breaking the lessons into these modules is absolutely critical to making the site practical. The modules are categorized very clearly to help you navigate to a topic of particular interest, which is very good considering that users will be coming from different backgrounds and interests when approaching the site. The idea of watching all of the modules is intimidating to say the least, but you can choose to either structure your watching in the way you might take the classes in a film school, or you can choose to watch based on your needs while you work on your project. (Essentially, it’s the question of linear vs. non-linear learning.) This can give different types of learners more options. For this review, I decided to sample modules from each of the major categories:
1) Writing
These modules cover a number of aspects of screenwriting, from how to generate the initial idea, the mechanics of structure, action and dialogue, and finally marketing the finished spec script. The modules here are, frankly, as effective and useful as such things can be. However, there is an odd paradox at work here. If you’re unfamiliar with 3-act structure, the current module detailing it only scratches the surface of the concept; as such, if you are familiar with 3-act structure, the module is almost useless. (I’m uncertain if this is a place-holder type training that will be replaced or augmented down the road. Hopefully this is the case, but it would be nice if that were mentioned clearly if it is.)
In this module, Writer/Producer Michael Emanuel hits it on the head when he correctly states that the questions of structure are entirely subjective, and that the appropriate structure of a screenplay “depends on the story being told”. It’s wise to acknowledge this. The idea of “how to write a good script” is one that people can study exhaustively for years, so summing it up in a few online videos is an impossibility. But acknowledging this, and then proceeding to simply detail this particular structure is about all a site like this can hope to do, but, as I mentioned before, it does it very, very well.
Included in several of the Writing Modules are resources that point users to software that can assist them in their endeavors, including the indispensable Final Draft. This is a great and comprehensive introduction to the process of screenwriting. With that said, it would be great if they added an online mentorship portion of this site, so that people could take the next step in their education by writing, submitting to someone with more knowledge, and dealing with direct critique.
2) Pre-Production
Currently, this category features modules designed to help teach Scheduling and Budgeting, Casting, Working with Actors, Production Design, Locations, and Technology & Equipment. Again, they are comprehensive, informative, and well-presented. Obviously, topics like “Working with Actors” can’t really be fully explored second-hand, although you can teach the basics that students can then use, although, without someone watching their interactions, it becomes harder for them to see what they’ve done wrong.
That said, difficult and less-than-tangable topics like this are presented by a very experienced, very intelligent collection of contributors that include directors, actors, and producers whose personal insight and experience are presented in a fascinating way. That kind of insight is truly valuable, and very insightful. (Again, if they were to follow the earlier mentorship suggestion, perhaps a few phone calls with roleplaying with a mentor and then a few video clips of them working with actors to send in for critique. Again, just a spit-ball idea.)
3) Production
It really is as close to on-set experience as is possible in a virtual environment. This category of the modules is the most comprehensive, covering in exhaustive detail the various aspects of production. The topics range from such artistic, creative standards as framing, to the nuts and bolts of how to use clamps, dollies, and C-stands.
There is more information here than any one human being will ever be able (or be required) to know on a set, and is an excellent resource for a quick refresher, a basic strategy, or even just to help someone understand the role and responsibilities of the crew members they’ll be working with.
I found that several modules in this category that I viewed (“Introduction to Lenses,” “Eyelines,” “The Rule of 180” and “Directing Actors on Set”) to be thoroughly fascinating and informative. Again, what makes these successful aren’t just the practical advice and factual information, but the caliber of professional contributors who appear on camera. These modules are such fantastic tools, both as an introduction or as a refresher, that I plan on consulting a few of them again before I go into production on my next film.
4) Post-Production
This is where the online nature of the site threatens to fail it. While Filmskills covers a variety of topics, such as Concepts of Editing, Editing Action, Color Timing, and Mixing the Audio, the reality is that learning how to be an non-linear editor requires extensive training in AVID or Final Cut Pro. While basics can be very effectively conveyed by these modules, they ultimately serve as a conceptual set of bullet-points.
Having worked as a professional television editor for the last 12 years, I found many of the concepts to be well-presented, but thankfully aware that an extraordinary amount of training is required for someone to perform even the most basic of tasks described. Becoming AVID certified, or truly getting to the bottom of the Final Cut Pro interface, isn’t something that can happen passively.
That said, the macro-concepts depicted here, particularly in the “Concepts of Editing” module, provide a very solid “jumping off point” that will hopefully propel an interested student into the world of post-production. To their credit, the modules do not appear to aspire to do anything more than this, and at times far surpassed my expectations of how technically complicated they were willing to become.
My editor pointed out that, should the creators wish to, having a series of in-depth training tutorials with downloadable assets, such as those created by Video Copilot, could be a great way to get people into the more nuts and bolts of editing. After all, if they are setting out to replace a traditional film school, actual training in the art of editing, effects, and coloration is something that would be needed and, technically, this could be the one area that would be the most conducive to something like an online academy, at least in as far as pre-created tutorials are concerned. After all, if you’re editing a pre-created scene by the numbers, it’s pretty easy to match up what you’re doing with what the video has if you’re using the same assets. (From there, if a mentorship option was created, people could be required to re-edit footage in new, more creative ways and be critiqued on what they submitted, as new techniques became part of their tool kit.)
Video isn't all that's presented. Written information is very prevalent, as well, to make sure that all learning styles are emphasized!
Interest Level
In interest, the site has covered all of its bases. It’s assumed that if you’re seeking out an online film program, the interest level is already high and it keeps you intrigued throughout. A major strength of this site is that it caters to a wide variety of areas of interest, so that users can focus on aspects of filmmaking that apply to them the most, or seek out a comprehensive overview.
This way, the site can be useful for people who are specifically interested in, say, production sound. Or being a gaffer. Or cinematography. There is something here for everyone, and the site is very good at seeking out appropriate and relevant contributors within those niches to speak to those specific points.
Reusability
The compact nature of the modules, and particularly their supporting text and resource links, give the site significant reusability. In fact, if a user takes the time to bookmark relevant sections properly, it will serve as an online cheat-sheet of sorts – a reference guide that can be accessed from just about anywhere and will remain chalk full of information.
Frequent updates, supplements, and new modules also make the site itself an evolving tool, encouraging users to return with surprising frequency.
Another feather in its reusability cap is the fact that the site also features tools for instructors, and this is where its usefulness really shines. Downloadable forms and exercises give instructors structured tools to help educate their students.
After registering as a Professor, users can find all sorts of resources, including structured exercises, suggested resources, streaming video, illustrated guides, downloads, curriculum guides, quizzes, and PowerPoints. This ultimately reveals how this site is most effective, and that’s as a supplement to a hands-on film education program.
Value vs. Cost
At $39.99/month, or $399/year, it might see that this is on the expensive side. Compared, though, with even the most competitively priced two or three day seminars that claim to be able to teach filmmaking, this is a bargain. That users are able to customize the site, personalize their bookmarks and notes, and even use it as a tool to market their services and get feedback on their reels is an additional bonus.
The level and quality of the information here is well-worth the price tag, and a determined student could possibly absorb the modules in a month or two, thus spending $80 on a sixty day film seminar. That is an astonishing value.
Yearly subscribers might feel a sting as they drop $400 onto the site, but bearing in mind that weekend seminars can run over $1,000 and offer none of the reusability of this site, this is also a steal.
Overall Comment Filmskills is a comprehensive, thorough, well-organized and very well-presented collection of information, proven technique, and insights from industry professionals. As comprehensive and dense as it is, it cannot replace hands-on experience or an interactive, formal film education. It can, however, serve as a remarkable supplement to such a program, or a thorough and very effective introduction to the major concepts of filmmaking.
More effective than the film texts I studied in school, the site is a collection of valuable material for the digital age. At $39.99/month, or $399/year, it might prove to be a rather expensive supplement or introduction, but the site earnestly seems to earn this price tag with constant updates, clean production value, and relevant, knowledgeable contributors.
While an online course can neve replace hands-on experience, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better online program than Filmskills.
Comprehension
8.0
Depth
of Information
8.5
Interest
Level
9.0
Reusability
9.0
Value
vs. Cost
10.0
Overall Score
8.9
Mike Flanagan is an award-winning writer, director and editor of four feature films, including the critically acclaimed horror film ABSENTIA. Based in Los Angeles, Mike has also worked as a professional television editor for over a decade, helming programming for Discovery, Bravo, A&E, and other networks. He is currently in pre-production on his fifth feature film, OCULUS, a feature version of his award-winning short.
