Shows
The Elements of FilmmakingSave Your Ass... Why Every Filmmaker Should Capture Background Plates: The Secret to Effortless ReshootsFrom the school carpool lane…Monday, December 9thHey Filmmaker,As a filmmaker, reshoots are inevitable. Whether it’s fixing continuity errors, adding a missed shot, or improving a performance, they’re part of the process. But here’s the hard truth: reshoots can be expensive, logistically challenging, and time-consuming.Now imagine this: instead of hauling your cast and crew back to a location, or scrambling to rebuild an entire set, you solve the problem with a greenscreen and a background plate you captured during your initial shoot.2024-12-0912 min
The Elements of FilmmakingMastering Walter Murch’s Rule of Six: The Key to Better Film EditingFrom a Frostbit LawnMonday, December 2nd,Hey Filmmaker,Editing is where the magic of filmmaking truly comes alive. It’s the place where raw footage transforms into a cohesive, emotionally resonant story. As filmmakers, we’re constantly making decisions—what to cut, what to keep, and how to create that perfect flow.Few editors in history have articulated the art of editing better than Walter Murch, the legendary editor behind films like Apocalypse Now and The English Patient. His “Rule of Six” has become a gold sta...2024-12-0214 min
The Elements of FilmmakingWhy Every Filmmaker Needs an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) to Promote Their FilmFrom a bright and sunny 35 degrees.Monday, November 25thHey Filmmaker,In the filmmaking world, promoting your project is as important as making it. Even the best films can get lost in the noise without the right tools to grab attention. That’s where the Electronic Press Kit (EPK) comes in—a professional, well-assembled EPK is your film’s calling card, opening doors to festivals, distributors, media outlets, and audiences.But what exactly is an EPK? Why does it matter so much? And how do...2024-11-2514 min
The Elements of FilmmakingWhy Taking Risks is the Key to Building Relationships in Filmmaking and Life.From a rainy November day.Thursday, November 21stHey Filmmaker,In both filmmaking and life, meaningful relationships aren’t built by playing it safe. Whether it’s forging a creative partnership, directing a complex scene, or committing to a deeply personal connection, risk is the glue that holds relationships together. The willingness to be vulnerable, to invest without guarantees, and to face uncertainty head-on is what builds trust, deepens bonds, and makes both films and relationships extraordinary.As filmmakers, our entire craft is rooted in risk. We...2024-11-2121 min
The Elements of FilmmakingHow to Attract Investors, Talent, and Distributors: Use a Film Finance PlanFrom the Living Room (Watching Kipper the Dog, with my son.)Monday, November 18thHey Filmmaker.In the world of filmmaking, a great story and vision can only take you so far. To bring your film to life, you need funding—and that’s where a film finance plan comes in. This document isn’t just a collection of numbers; it’s a strategic tool that convinces investors, collaborators, talent, and distributors that your project is worth their time, money, and effort.A solid finance plan tells potentia...2024-11-1819 min
The Elements of FilmmakingUnlock the Hedonic Treadmill to Craft Unforgettable CharactersFrom a Day of Training Barn Cats (See photos below.)Thursday, November 14thHey Filmmaker, In screenwriting and filmmaking, one of the greatest challenges is to create characters and stories that resonate deeply with audiences. We want viewers to see themselves in our characters, to empathize with their struggles and victories. This is where the concept of the hedonic treadmill comes in—a psychological principle that, when applied to storytelling, can add layers of realism, tension, and emotional depth to your film.The hedonic treadmill is all ab...2024-11-1413 min
The Elements of FilmmakingCover Your Ass & Your Films with this One Document…From a cold Fall night.November 8thHey Filmmaker,The road from script to screen is full of potential roadblocks, and for filmmakers, one of the most critical but often overlooked documents is the Chain of Title. This document essentially “proves ownership” of a story, ensuring that all rights have been legally transferred and clarified from concept to production. Not only is this essential to sell or distribute a film, but it’s also the ultimate “CYA” (Cover Your Assets) measure for preventing legal issues. In this blog post...2024-11-0815 min
The Elements of FilmmakingWhy a Lean Film Crew is Your Secret Weapon To Make Better MoviesFrom the first frost on the Farm.Monday, November 4thHey Filmmaker,Here’s the deal: bigger isn’t always better. In fact, when it comes to your film crew, bigger usually means slower, costlier, and a whole lot more complicated.Sure, it’s tempting to think that more hands mean more power, more talent, more “official” looking sets. But in reality? A small, talented crew is often your best asset. More people can mean more idle hands, more egos to juggle, and more distr...2024-11-0413 min
The Elements of FilmmakingDon’t Sign Away Your Dream: Why Owning Your Film Is Non-NegotiableFrom the parking lot of Halloween Spirit.(Remember the wigs! I forgot to buy my daughter a wig for her costume.)Thursday, October 31st,Hey Filmmaker,Let’s talk ownership.Not the feel-good, yeah-it’s-my-project kind of ownership. I’m talking about real, legal ownership—rights, revenue, the whole deal. If you’re going to pour your soul into a film, you need to keep control of it. Period.Because here’s the hard truth: Hollywood’s full of people ready to promise the...2024-10-3111 min
The Elements of FilmmakingHere's the Secret to Mastering Group Dynamics in FilmmakingFrom the Farm. (After a Day of Raking Leafs.)Monday, October 28thHey Filmmaker,Filmmaking is as much about teamwork as it is about creativity and storytelling. To make a vision come to life, everyone on set—from the director to the PA—needs to work together seamlessly. When a team “clicks,” it can transform the filmmaking experience into something magical. However, achieving this synergy doesn’t just happen by chance. To build a cohesive, productive crew, it’s essential to understand group dynamics and the stages a...2024-10-2819 min
The Elements of FilmmakingHere's A Hard Lesson: Some Investors Suck—Cut Them LooseFrom the Office Cubicle.Wednesday, October 23rdHey Filmmaker,Let’s get one thing straight: not all investors are created equal.And honestly, some of them suck.That’s right—I said it. Some can empower your creativity, while others can stifle it, making you question your project, your vision, and even yourself. Knowing when to walk away from a bad investor is essential, and it can save you time, money, and peace of mind.Here’s what you need to know about spotting...2024-10-2321 min
The Elements of FilmmakingMaster the Economy of Characters: How Fewer Roles Create Stronger Films.From the living room waiting for Patriot’s KickoffSunday, October 20th Hey Filmmaker,I want to talk to you about something you might not think about enough when writing your script: characters. Not just how many you have, but how important each one is. The truth is, in a movie, if someone speaks, they need to matter. This isn't a novel where you can afford to fill out the world with side stories and background figures. In a film, every second counts, and every ch...2024-10-2009 min
The Elements of FilmmakingThe Three P's Every Filmmaker Should Consider: Paper, Project, and People.From the Dermatologist’s Office Waiting Room.Tuesday, October 15th Hey Filmmaker,Starting a new filmmaking project is exhilarating. You’ve got a story to tell, a vision to bring to life, and a passion that fuels every frame. But as every filmmaker knows, that excitement can be met with practical challenges. Should you take on a particular project? Is it worth the time, the effort, and the energy? How do you know if a project will be fulfilling or a total drain?2024-10-1511 min
The Elements of FilmmakingShow Don't Tell, Why It Works!From the Elementry School Pickup Line.Tuesday, October 8th Hey Filmmaker,The phrase “Show, Don’t Tell” is a golden rule in filmmaking, but what does it really mean—and why is it so powerful? For filmmakers, understanding and applying this technique can make the difference between a story that resonates deeply and one that falls flat. “Show, Don’t Tell” goes beyond mere advice; it’s a principle that lets you communicate through images, actions, and emotions, creating moments that your audience feels rather than hears.In this post, we...2024-10-0810 min
The Elements of FilmmakingWhat is Tone? The Answer is all B******t.From a beautiful Fall Day on the Farm.Thursday, October 3rd Hey Filmmaker,I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve been creating art since five.And, one thing I never understood, in filmmaking terms, until a recent set experience was… What is Tone?If I were to ask you how to define it, you might say…“Film tone is the overall mood or atmosphere of a film, which is conveyed through a variety of techniques.”But that’s all b******t. No one kn...2024-10-0309 min
The Elements of FilmmakingCelebrate a Failure with Me…This is the Modern Filmmaker where I distill important concepts (about life, self-discovery, and filmmaking)— quickly and succinctly. Earning you, time back to enjoy the silence.This Issue: Celebrate a Failure with Me…Last Issue: Industry-Standard Software Should Be Free…On Sale Now: The Modern Filmmaker’s On Set Filmmaking DictionaryFrom late at night, after we put the kids to bed.Saturday, September 14th,Hey Filmmaker,Failure Sucks.I never went to film school and even got denied by everyone I applied to as an...2024-09-1505 min
The Elements of FilmmakingIndustry-Standard Software Should Be FreeFrom the editing bay. (Specifically, the one with the broken heater.)Thursday, January 18th Hey Filmmaker,(This is not a paid endorsement, I promise.)For many aspiring filmmakers, the journey to bringing creative visions to life can be challenging, especially when it comes to accessing the tools required to produce high-quality work. Today’s industry-standard software for editing, visual effects, color grading, and audio is powerful—yet often comes at a steep price. But does it have to? Today, we’ll explore why I argue indust...2024-01-1825 min
The Fabrice Guerrier Show#13 Joshua Mesnik & Michael Rekola: Finding fulfillment in the creative arts, mastering your craft and the future of entertainmentJoshua Mesnik is an American actor. He grew up in Naples, Florida and graduated from Florida State University, where he was a longtime member of the campus favorite "30in60" Sketch Comedy Troupe. While working in New York City as a public educator with The QUESTion Project, he began his acting training at the TGW Acting Studio NYC. Soon thereafter he relocated to Los Angeles to begin his work as an actor for film and voice.
Michael Rekola is a producer and storyteller with a focus on helping independent filmmakers craft their films! His specialty ranges from the...2021-03-251h 19