Skip to main content

My 10 Favourite YouTube Channels for Filmmakers


Image result for filmmakingThanks to the internet, we now have an entire world of information literally at our fingertips. And for us filmmakers, YouTube is an absolute goldmine of education from people who really understand the craft. I never went to film school so pretty everything I've learnt has come from films, books and the internet, and YouTube was a massive chunk of that. So here's a list of 10 of my favourite channels on YouTube for filmmakers.

Vice

Vice's YouTube channel is great for filmmakers, especially their "Vice Talks Film" series. My personal favourite is this video with Roger Deakins and Matthew Heineman discussing their films Sicario and Cartel Land.What I really love about this video is the way it draws comparisons but it also the differences between documentary film and narrative film. An outstanding and honest conversation between two masters of their craft. This video came into my life at exactly the right time where I started work as a documentary filmmaker. Before then I had pretty much entirely spent my time focusing on learning about narrative film, and not so much on documentary film. So I was finding it really difficult to wire my brain to work in a different medium and this video really helped me solve that problem.

Patrick H. Willems

Spielberg is undoubtedly the master of blockbuster tension. An this video perfectly explains the elements that go into building great suspense set pieces, really driving home the importance of perspective in a story. This video completely changed the way I approach not only filmmaking, but writing too. It's all well and good having a thrilling sequence, but unless the characters are given a perspective to follow, then they're not going to be invested. 

Rocket Jump Film School

It's such a shame Rocket Jump Film School don't make video anymore, but there's still a tonne of content on that channel you can learn from. I could have put any of their videos on this list and you'd learn so much from any of them. What I really like about this video specifically is that it completely made me realise the significance of editing. Before watching this video I saw editing as a sub par part of making a film, just the part of post production where you put things together and that's it. This made me realise it's much more than that, it's where the film comes together, it's where to story is told, it's where the pacing is set, it's where performances are refined, it's where a film makes or breaks.

Hollywood Reporter

So much can be learnt just from hearing masters talk to each other, and Hollywood Reporters "Roundtable" series is an incredibly rich source of information for filmmakers. My personal favourite is the 2016 Oscars Roundtable, having Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Alejandro G. Inarritu, Danny Boyle, David O. Russel and Tom Hooper all sat around the same table and talking is mind blowing, it really doesn't get much better.

Criswell


Video essays are a great way for uneducated filmmakers to begin to understand the technical theory that goes into filmmaking. There's a tonne of great video essay channels out there but one of my favourite channels is Criswell, covering a lot of work from great directors including Kubrick, Spielberg, Welles, Haneke and Villeneuve.

Film Riot

Film Riot were one of the first filmmaking channels on YouTube and they're still crushing the game with a mixture of hilarious comedy and a tonne of useful information, there's a reason they're at the top of the YouTube filmmaking game.

Cinematography Database

Matt Workman's Cinematography Database is one of my favourite channels ever put online, even though he's stopped making these types of videos there's still a tonne to look back on. Matt is really generous with his knowledge, giving those inexperienced filmmakers a deeper understanding of on set life. 

Filmmaker IQ


This channel really taught me a tonne in terms of the technical side of filmmaking, for someone who didn't go to film school, words like blocking and composition used to intimate me, until I came across Filmmaker IQ. The channel covers everything from the technical aspects of filmmaking, film history, sound and cinematography. A must watch channel for every aspiring filmmaker.

Media Division

Media Division is a relatively new channel, only really starting midway through last year. But their past few videos have absolutely blown me away, their quality of content and generosity when it comes to sharing information is seriously incredible.

 Aputure


Aputure are world renowned for making great lights for filmmakers and incredibly low prices. But what is lesser known is the fantastic content they're putting out on their YouTube channel. A serious goldmine of information for any aspiring cinematographer.

SUPPORT THIS BLOG

It takes a lot of time and effort to keep this blog running, so it would mean a lot if you could help support us and encourage us to keep putting out content like this. It would be awesome if you could send us any tips/donations over on PayPal.

paypal.me/mastersofcinema

Popular posts from this blog

20 Essential Books for Filmmakers

No matter what stage you're at in your filmmaking career, there's still a wealth of information that can be learned from picking up and flicking through a book, whether you're a complete beginner, a seasoned set veteran, a passionate cinema-goer or anything else in-between. Here's 20 books that should be added to your essential reading list if you want to get serious about perfecting your craft. 20. The Filmmaker's Handbook An absolutely essential read for any filmmaker at any stage in your career whether you're just starting out or a seasoned veteran with a camera, I promise this books has a shed of information you can learn from. A well researched and authoritative guide to the process of filmmaking, all the way from funding to distribution and covering absolutely every aspect of filmmaking in between BUY IT HERE NOW  19. Shot by Shot Now that you've got a couple of shorts under your belt, why not get a little more ana
Read more

The Best Budget Cameras for Beginner Filmmakers

Getting great cinematic footage isn't something that needs to bust the bank. Thanks to the digital filmmaking revolution, there are a lot of great cameras on the market, offering high end features that aren't going to leave deep burning holes in your bank account. As a beginner it can be a little overwhelming looking at all your options, so here are a couple of cameras that I recommended you check out! Panasonic Lumix G7 - $497 The Lumix G7 is small, lightweight and gives you great 4k video for an incredibly low price. The micro four thirds sensor means there are a lot of fantastic and cheap lenses on the market that are compatible with this camera meaning buying a decent set of lenses isn't going to break the bank either. The Lumix G7 is rammed with features that exceed a lot of other cameras at this price point. For less than $500 with 14-42mm lens, the Lumix G7 is without a doubt, one of the best cameras on the market for beginner filmmakers. BUY THE PANASONIC
Read more

The Cinematography of Blade Runner 2049 - Part 1

Denis Villeneuve and Roger Deakins have become a pairing that dreams are made of, and before the first trailer had even dropped for Blade Runner 2049, everyone already knew they were in for a visual spectacle that would be appreciated for years to come. Bagging Roger Deakins his 14th Oscar Nomination and well overdue win, it's not too far fetched to say that Blade Runner 2049 is one of the most beautiful films ever made, with director Denis Villeneuve calling it "the most expensive art house film ever made". So let us all appreciate and gaze in awe at some of the stunning work put into Blade Runner 2049. It's well documented that the camera that made Roger Deakins start shooting digital rather than film was the Arri Alexa. Deakins had shot all of his work on film up until 2011 where he used the Alexa for the first time on Andrew Niccol's "In Time". So it's no surprise that Blade Runner 2049 was shot on the Alexa. In fact it was shot on 3, the Arr
Read more