In 4 weeks you could be submitting to festivals
4 Week Filmmaker is a step-by-step guide to writing, shooting, and editing a short film in 30 days.
SEASON 2 IS OPEN!
You don’t need a BIG budget; you need us
I created the HYBRID FILM FORMULA to prove to that the Hollywood method is outdated.
INTRODUCING
4 week filmmaker
from script to screen in 30 days
4-week filmmaker is the step-by-step formula to direct a short film without a huge budget and overwhelm. It walks you through everything you need go from concept to screen in 4 weeks.
Doors are closed and reopen again shortly bigger and better than ever.
LEARN FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN
Here's how it works
Week 1 - CONCEPT
Write an attainable story (based on limits)
Story structure: common tricks for short films
EXT. ROOFTOP PATIO: the art of script formatting
Crafting the three Cs: Concept, conflict, and character.
Creating an Original concept **Download available
Experts: professional feature film writers break down their process
The Story Structure Template *Download Available
Week 2 - Pre-production
Breaking down a script like a producer
Learn storyboarding & shot listing *Comes With Downloadable Template
Finding a location - that doesn't suck
Casting your film
Prepping actors
Prepping crew
Dealing with money/ Budget $$$
Making a cinematic univerese: prepping props, wardrobe, and key items
Payment? Money? Where does it go?
Learning camera settings and mastering your current setup
Collaboration and the art of working with others
Week 3 - Shooting
Lighting a scene (with and without lights)
Camera movement that drives the story
Cinematography 101: Master focal lengths and camera angles
Actor Blocking
Scene breakdown - how to shoot a scene for shorts and features
Production Design - Building the world on screen
Cinematic Cheat Sheet
How to record sound
Making your days: Scheduling a bulletproof shoot day
Killing your darlings: Cutting shots and compromising on a film set
Shoot like an editor - The art of being a director
AND MUCH MORE...
Week 4 - Editing
Assembling your edit and writing your film a third time!
Trimming the fat (what doesn't work in your edit?)
Making it HOLLYWOOD: Applying Sound, Music, and foley
How to make a movie NOT feel cheap in the edit (cheat codes)
Pacing an edit
Color grading
Organization
Editing asset downloads***
BONUS - Distribution
Finding a festival for your film
Building an audience online
How to make the next one
Getting your film seen
THIS ISN'T A YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
This isn't filmschool:
where you'll learn outdated tech, and techniques
This isn't a youtube tutorial
where i'm going to sell you a lens to make "cinematic videos"
This isn't how to make a hollywood film
with a million dollars and 20+ crew.
This is Hybrid Filmmaking.
Blending the efficiency of YouTube, the small footprint of documentary, and the quality of Hollywood into a cocktail I call "hybrid filmmaking
By the end of 4 weeks you'll...
have a festival ready film
I'm gonna teach you how to make a 1 - 5 minute short film that festivals WANT
Feel confident behind a camera
You'll know how to be the cinematographer, director, and producer
Develop a keen eye for composition, lighting, and visual storytelling
Know how to step into anyspace and make it cinematic
have a network of other filmmakers
Join the cinematic academy group and be connected to other filmmakers.
Hey I'm Zach...
and I help creatives bridge the gap between content creation and Hollywood filmmaking. I know the struggle of being overwhelmed with gear, budget, and filmmaking gurus telling you what you "NEED".
Then I learned to make a film, all you need is a gimbal.
I'm kidding!!! I learned that great films only need four steps to get from that daydream to big screen.
Now it's my mission to help storytellers get their films seen by audiences without the gatekeepers slowing them down.
With 4 week filmmaker you'll recieve
A Community
Members of 4-week filmmaker will be added to a community tab where they can share, collaborate, and connect on projects.
Rinse and repeat formulas
For writing, editing and shooting your short films
Downloadable templates
Shot lists, script guides, and premiere pro timelines
Access to weekly calls with Zach
At the end of each week we will do a live Zoom call to discuss the progress of our films and ask any questions you might have regarding your films. I'm holding you accountable!
This BONUS feature is only available with the launch.
in 4 weeks you could be submitting to film festivals
DO I GET ACCESS to the content immediately?
Yes you'll get immediate access to the course content.
When are the live calls?
Live calls are scheduled for each Wednesday at 1pm EST from
January 8th-29th
Will the live calls be recorded?
Yes!
Do I have to shoot my film in 4 weeks?
No! The content is a film school in 4 weeks. You can take as long as you need to shoot your film.
What do I need before starting the course?
Before enrolling, you should have a basic knowledge of how to create content. This course teaches you the foundations of cinematic storytelling so that you can elevate the gear, locations, cast and crew at your disposal. You do not need 5K of equipment, but enough to make an Instagram reel for a fitness influencer.
We recommend a camera with different focal lengths (an iPhone works), an audio accessory like a clip-on mic or shotgun for the top of your camera, and editing software like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
All the documents you’ll receive through 4 Week Filmmaker are in a PDF format, so if you have a printer, you can follow along with a tangible copy of the 4-week workbook or have a copy on your computer to fill out.
What happens in the live calls?
These calls are for you to ask questions regarding your film or the course content.
Do i need a fancy camera and lighting?
Not at all. Our philosophy is use what you've got. As long as you have a phone, you can make a great short film with 4 Week Filmmaker.
Is the course live?
The course is pre-recorded so it gives you the flexibility to work in your own time.
The only live component is the Q&A calls which will be recorded and uploaded into the course each week.