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Jul 02
Love0

The Current State of Video Production in Dallas

By Video Production

There was a time, not too long ago, when the effects of the change were felt heavily on the video production industry. Many professionals were finding it hard to find work or clients. Lately, fortunately in Dallas and Fort Worth, that trend is reversing. Video has become a much more powerful force in today’s corporate business climate. In addition to the popular video tools of training, marketing and sales, the growth of web videos has dramatically impacted the industry. Companies that had never considered having professional videos produced for their companies or for their products, are now searching for professionals that can create a powerful tool for the web. Obviously, Google is the number one search engine for the Internet. But what people are finding, is that YouTube is number two. Corporations and businesses are discovering that the use of…

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Oct 23
Love0

“The Consequences” shoots in Amarillo

By Tips/Techniques

The shooting for the short film “The Consequences” has wrapped in Amarillo, Texas.  The film follows an older oil field man, Hank, played by Mark Nutter and his best friend Jerry, played by Jack Watkins. Daniel Millican wrote and produced, and Element X Creative’s Brad Herbert directed. The film will be released in early November

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Jun 04
Love1
Greenlight

Greenlight Your Own Film

By Seminars

I break the phases of filmmaking into six distinct areas: The Idea; Development; Pre-Production; Production; Post Production; and Distribution.  Most new filmmakers spend most of the research and education in the production phases.  But the biggest hurdles are in the two “D’s”– Development and Distribution. Development is where you raise the money and build the right team.  Distribution is where you make money to pay back the investors and enough for you to keep going.  These two areas are woefully lacking.  That’s why I started teaching the Greenlight seminar several years ago. Often people have a story they want made into a movie and they either write the screenplay or commission the writing of the screenplay.  Then it’s an upward climb to get the script sold to a production company.  Then it’s an uphill battle for the production company to…

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May 27
Love1
Shooting actor demos

Demo Reels for Actors

By Seminars

Next demo reel shoot is June 5, Tuesday, with afternoon and evening times available.  Go to the SFilms store to register. The actor demo reel has become extremely important for getting auditions and landing roles.  Often times, actors work for little or nothing to get the resume credit and to get a scene or something they can drop into their reel.  But time and time again, actors would talk with me about not being able to get the filmmaker to send them the scene to use.  The filmmaker just wouldn’t have time or resource. So at that point, I decided to help out the actors– what if we could do an original scene that looked as if ripped straight from an indie film and featured the actor the way they wanted to be featured?  Of course there’s some serious cost…

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Mar 21
Love1

What To Bring to Screenfighting Workshops

By Seminars

I’ll be sending an email out to all registered students… but thought I would post this first to let you know what to wear and bring to the screenfighting seminar this weekend.  (If you haven’t registered, click here to sign up). Weapons Classes (Saturday) First of all, do not bring any actual weapons to this workshop.  Our weapons master, Doug Williams will supply all equipment.  And especially don’t bring any live ammunition whatsoever.  If you have a concealed carry permit, please leave your weapon in your vehicle, locked. Next, you will need to wear pants and a shirt you can tuck in.  This includes both male and female students.  You will need a solid belt you can clip a holster to.  And wear shoes that you can move around in.  Think about the role you might audition for– is it…

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Mar 08
Love1
Theatrical Truth

Theatrical Truth

By Seminars

(This is for all my actor friends… one film director to actors.  I see a lot actor to actor, but very little from directors to actor.  BTW– we’ve got the screenfighting workshop coming up in a few weeks– click here to make sure you get your seat.) The Quest Constantin Stanislavski– often referred to as the father of modern acting, defined acting as the quest for theatrical truth.  I believe this is a great starting place for the craft you’re working in.  It all boils down to this– is your performance as close as possible to theatrical truth?  Personally, I believe that truth cannot be achieved in a theatrical performance (you’re performing, pretending– it’s not truth, but theatrical truth).  Does your performance ring true with the audience? Sure, many factors go into you achieving theatrical truth in a film role. …

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Mar 01
Love1
In the audition room

One Director’s Biggest Advice for Local Actors

By Seminars, Tips/Techniques

If I could say one thing to local actors to immediately help their performance in film and give them a much better chance for landing that role in auditions, I would say this: Big is Bad. My advice to feature film and television actors is to bring it down.  In some cases… way down.  Now this advice is not without controversy.  I’ve had one agent tell they think I’ve got it wrong… that it’s better to be too big than too small… that a director can bring a performance down to the right level more easily than bringing it up.  Not in this director’s experience. You see, in the audition room, using a 0-9 scale on “bigness”, I have many local actors coming in at 7, 8 or 9.  I’m looking for 1.5.  Now we have to go from an…

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Feb 29
Love0
Dan Millican shooting Commercial

Elements for Corporate Video Production

By Tips/Techniques

Corporate Video is an Art Corporate video productions, in spite of all the technology and advancements in computers and cameras, is still first and foremost an artform and demands an artist.  The best artist is the one that can convey a message effectively through a medium, like painting, sculpture, or performance. The corporate video production or media project is the same way– the effective ones send a message through the medium of video delivered on the canvas of a television screen or a computer screen.  So when we look around Dallas Fort Worth to build a team for any given media project or event, we look for the artists and we look for those who leave ego behind and can work as a team. Sure, we use the most cutting edge tools and techniques– it’s what keeps us as artists…

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Feb 27
Love0

Is Screenfighting Workshop for Children Actors?

By Seminars

I’ve been surprised at how many people have asked this.  For background– we’re offering a one of a kind workshop on March 24-25 where Day 1 has two classes on handling weapons as an actor and Day 2 is about how to fight and work around special effects.  4 classes– 2 days.  To register, go to the SFilms store. Can my child attend this workshop? For ages under pre-teen, I don’t think Day One (Weapon Handling) is a good idea.  What we’re talking about is learning skills for upcoming auditions and roles, that will give you an edge as an actor.  There just aren’t that many roles for a gun-wielding 8 year old.  (I could be wrong, but there you go.)  For teens, especially older teens, yeah maybe.  It’s a skill and you can add it to your headshot/resume. I…

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Feb 24
Love0
Screenfighting Instructors

Pizza Mondays

By Seminars

New Seminar Classes! Starting in the spring, we’re having a series of evening seminars covering filmmaking, writing, directing, acting and more.  These will be held on Monday evenings at Serendipitous Films in Fort Worth and will include dinner.  They all start at 6pm and go to 8:30 or 9pm.  All classes are $39.  Seating is going to be limited and also there will be a 5 person minimum.  If class doesn’t make, full amount will be refunded.  Once class is full, we will stop registrations on it.  Register at the SFilms store. Monday March 26 Greenlight Yourself This evening session will cover some basics about how to make your own feature film.  Emphasis will be placed on exact steps to get started, fundraising and the end game– distribution.  We’ll also cover topics like how to get name talent and short…

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