2019 was a big year, with an expansive update and enhancement to the instructor interface. With a new year, we are proud to announce the same update to the student experience. With an all-new home page, in-person classes and online courses that now match the instructor view, plus dozens of new learning tools, FilmSkills Academic is better than ever.
All New Home Page
The updated student home page has been updated for an easier, more organized learning experience.
New Global Announcements let instructors post messages to all students in your school.
Certifications are now listed on the home page.
Class and Course Overviews tell student what they need to know for the day, including upcoming tests, projects, and assignments.
In-Person Redesign
Engineered with the same thoughtful design as the instructor’s Class Manager, the new design improves learning outcomes.
Redesigned Test Tool improves testing and assessment with a redesigned test taking pop-up, test preparation page, and test results.
New messaging tool incorporates direct messaging with the instructor, classroom discussion forums, and one-way instructor announcements.
Lessons are now embedded in the class. Unlike the previous build on which lessons opened in a new page, we incorporated the lessons into the class for a more intuitive learning path.
New Projects Section makes it easy for students to access, practice, and upload completed assignments.
Online Course Redesign
The all new online course update makes it easier for students to access their lessons, tests, and projects.
New Direct Message to the instructor – Students can easily reach out to you with questions or feedback.
Integrated lessons improve the learning pathway, allowing students to view lessons without leaving the course.
New Certification Dashboard
We added a new section to help students manage their certification programs, requirements, and certificates.
New home page display lists all certification programs in which the student is enrolled.
Certification Manager outlines the requirements and status of each assigned certification.
We’re excited to announce the release of the all new instructor home page. Complete with a dynamic new interface and under-the-hood enhancements to improve page load times and responsiveness, the new home page is easier to use than ever.
New Tab Organization
The Dashboard tab displays all of your active, pending, and upcoming in-person classes and online courses. You can access any expired classes or suspended courses by clicking on “Classes” or “Courses” in the top menu bar, then choosing “View All Classes,” or “View all Courses.”
We moved all system alerts into their own tab, which will display an alert badge when there is an event that requires your attention. You can review student enrollment requests, manage shared content, receive help ticket notifications, and much more.
The all-new Announcements tab allows instructors to post an announcement to all the students and staff members in your organization. It’s the easy way to send out a notification to everyone.
The new Account Set-Up tab includes links to all the key configuration settings you need to set-up, brand, and get your AccuSkills academy up and running.
New Certification Section
All of your certification programs are now easily accessible from your home page. Simply click a certification to open and manage it.
New Quick-Link Menu
Access all main tools by clicking on the action button to the right of each class, course, or certification. See an overview of the class, e-mail all students at once, view enrollment, access the grade book, and much more.
New Status and Alert Pop-Up
Access all of your alerts and to-dos for each class and course by clicking on the red alert badge to the left of each class or course. From here, you can see an overview, plus any tasks that require your attention, including:
Student applications pending approval
Tests that need to be graded
Students who may have had a problem taking a test
New student project submissions
New posts in class discussion forums
New direct messages from students
More responsive than ever
The new instructor home page loads faster than ever with new page optimization. That means getting more done in less time.
The new instructor home page is already live, so you can enjoy it next time you log in to your account.
Managing your instructors has never been easier. The all-new and improved Instructor Manager makes it simple to create and manage the instructors in your organization.
Create and Manage Instructor Accounts
The new Instructor Manager consolidates account management into one simple dashboard.
Create new instructor accounts
Approve or decline new instructor applications
E-mail instructors
Manually reset instructor account passwords
Log into you instructor’s accounrs
Manage Instructors' Classes and Courses
View each of your instructor’s current, upcoming, and expired classes and courses.
View class and course status
Track enrollment
Contact and manage student rosters
Re-assign classes and courses to other instructors
Open, manage, and edit any instructor’s class or course
Set Access Permissions
Control which AccuSkills functions each instructor can access, including
The Site Editor – to customize the branding, look, and feel of your account
The Accounting Manager – to set up and manage student credit card payments, invoices, revenue reports, and royalties
The Instructor Manager – allow a user to create and manage other instructor accounts
Network Sharing – to share or license your lessons, classes, and courses with other AccuSkills accounts
Set Lesson Permissions
Control which lessons each instructor can access and/or edit.
Manage your content by controlling which lessons each instructor can view, add to classes, and add to courses
We are excited to announce a suite of 20 all new lessons -our best yet!! Each lesson is jam-packed with on-set video tutorials, written companion guides, downloadable files and quick-reference guides, and much more.
You can access these new lessons in a number of ways:
If you are a film school instructor, all the new lessons are automatically included in your FilmSkills license. You can begin using them in your classes immediately.
If you are looking for your own personal training, these lessons are available in
From traditional focusing techniques of setting marks and measuring distances, to using digital focus assist tools, students learn how to set focus, overcome focus challenges, and proper on-set procedures.
Students learn the power of the lens, how focal length affects the field of view and depth, changes in the illusion of time, plus how to work with zoom vs prime lenses, and compensate for crop factor.
This lesson covers how f-stops and T-stops are used to determine exposure, how to work with fast and slow lenses, and how f-stops are used to determine camera exposure and lighting ratios on set.
Students are introduced to the nature of light, how it’s measured, and the foundations of exposure. Complex techniques of the inverse square law, dynamic range, latitude, and contrast ratios are made simple.
Students learn how to properly change lenses, remove dust and debris, protect lenses both in transit and on set, prevent condensation, and how to properly clean the imaging sensor.
Students learn how electronic shutters function, how to choose the shutter angle, global vs rolling shutters, motion blur, managing screen flicker, and how to compensate exposure.
This lesson provides a comprehensive look at frame rates, interlaced vs progressive, time code, drop frame, 3:2 pull down, slow motion and time lapse, and how to calculate exposure with different frame rates.
Students learn how to prep the camera, matte box, follow focus, monitor, cables, batteries, media, and how to conduct lens calibration tests to ensure the camera works properly on set.
Students learn how the imaging sensor, CCD and CMOS chips, and photosites function, plus Bayer pattern and debayering, CODECs and RAW formats, bit depths, ISO, image quality, and gain.
Students learn a range of key light techniques for beauty and drama, how to work with ambient fill light, rim lights, kickers, and how to use contrast to separate the subject from the background.
Students learn exposure techniques including zebra stripes, false color, waveform monitors, histograms, and light meters, plus how to expose skin tones, and work within the camera’s latitude and contrast ratio.
In this lesson, students learn how to control the depth of field and its technical and creative effects. This lesson includes three scenes of differing depths of field to illustrate the change in emotional impact.
Coming Soon!
How to Direct a Scene
Students experience how a scene is blocked, rehearsed, lit, and shot. This lesson includes a downloadable script, final cut, and rough footage of the sample scene.
This case study explores how a spec commercial is produced from concept to completion, and how spec projects can be used to help students find production work.
We are excited to announce an all new lesson, Imaging Sensor and ISO. The imaging sensor is the heart of the camera system. It converts light into the electrical signal that becomes the image we see on screen. But understanding how it works and its limitations will help you improve your cinematography.
This lesson is jam-packed with tips on how to get the most out of your camera by understanding how photosites convert light into an electrical signal, bayer patterns, chip sensitivity, and working with dual ISOs. Emmy-winning cinematographer Jason Tomaric teaches you the secrets of top cinematographers, including:
What is an image sensor and it works
The difference between CCD and CMOS sensors
How photosites convert light into an electrical signal
How the bayer pattern works
How codecs and RAW files work
Camera bit depths and how compression works
How the bit depth affects the number of shades captured by the sensor
How film sensitivity affects the ISO
How to use ISO when exposing a shot
Working with dual ISOs in Rec709 and Log curves
How to work with gain to maximize image quality in low-light situations
We are excited to announce the biggest update to the FilmSkills platform ever! As a film educator, film commission, or production company, FilmSkills is much more than industry-leading content. Our dynamic platform lets you build your own online film training program by mixing and matching multimedia content lessons to craft customized learning paths for your students.
Packed with learning management tools including certification, processing credit cards, content authoring and sharing tools, and complete site-branding, FilmSkills has gotten even better. Here’s a look at some of our updates scheduled to be released July, 2019.
New Page Interface
Enhanced tables add advanced search, sorting, and nested content for faster navigation.
Quick Navigation Menus
Quickly access any key functions with all new quick menus and group actions.
New Reports and Analytics
Get up to date reports of your students’ activities with the redesigned class and course managers.
New Test Manager
The all new Test Question library lets you write your own questions to mix and match with FilmSkills’ 5000 question library, and share them with colleagues.
Getting prepped for a shoot is the first step in making sure your production goes smoothly. We met up with Drew Lauer, cinematographer and owner of Hollywood Special Ops. Drew has worked on over a hundred TV shows, and specializes in slow motion cinematography. In this comprehensive tutorial, he takes you through his process of prepping the camera package before each shoot.
Let’s say you’re looking to hire a professional. Maybe it’s a doctor, or a plumber, or an auto mechanic. While you can certainly go online and search for someone, you’d probably feel much better getting a referral from a friend or family member. Working on a film project is no different. You want to know that the people you’re working next to are creative, have good attitudes, and a solid work ethic, which is why referrals are so important. When you’re new to LA, the best way to meet new people is to network… but networking in Hollywood isn’t what you think.
Networking conjures up images of stuffy events at which hundreds of suit-clad people plaster smiles on their faces while handing out business cards in an effort to drum up more work. While this may be the case in some industries, the opposite is true in Hollywood. Networking is about making friends, and fostering real relationships. People want to work with those they trust and enjoy, which is why more deals are made in a bar or on the golf course than at a networking event.
I’d argue that the old adage, “It’s who you know,” should really say, “In Hollywood, it’s about who knows you.” That’s the secret of marketing– get them to come to you.
Networking is about people. Meeting people, giving to others, bringing a talent to the table, and being pleasant to work with. When you’re in the film industry, nurture your relationships because you never know where they’ll lead. The best way to network is by having something to give. Volunteer your time, offer to do something for someone, and become valuable to the people with whom you’re working. Helping someone today may not have an immediate impact, but the relationship you nurture will pay dividends in the future.
Don’t wear your desperation on your sleeve. There are a lot of people in LA who are looking for their next job and the need it desperately. You will absolutely meet them. You will meet at a party and within 30- seconds they will pitch you a screenplay idea, try to find out what you do and if you can help them, and try to figure out who you know and to whom you can introduce them. Don’t be like these people. No one likes them.
Call your contacts when things are going well to check in, not just when you need something – If you are working, check in with your friends and acquaintances to see how they are doing. It’s common to hear from someone when they want something from you, but it’s flattering when they call to simply see how you’re doing.
Bring something to the table – People will be more inclined to help you if you offer them something first. Offer to read their screenplay, watch a rough cut of their short film, check out their website, or like a blog post they wrote. Giving of your time and talents is the best way to see that generosity reciprocated.
Surround yourself with the people you want to be like – There are a ton of people in LA, from the ultra rich and successful to the downright broke and desperate. While misery loves company, it won’t help you get to the next level. Surround yourself with other successful people. Talk to them, learn from them, and become part of a network that empowers you.
Help others – Volunteering your time on someone’s film, lending a camera or gear, or reading someone’s script is a great way to show you care about them and their project, and people will remember that.
Attend trade shows – There are dozens of events, equipment demos, and trade shows that are well-attended by professionals. They are an informal and comfortable way to meet other filmmakers and vendors.
Attend workshops – Many camera, lighting, sound, and post vendors host open houses and hands-on training seminars as a way of educating filmmakers about their new products. These are often low cost or free and attract other professionals.
The best way to network is to get yourself out there. Attend film festivals, industry events, trade shows, and vendor events. Look out for rental companies that host open houses. Go to industry screenings and premieres. From there, talk to everyone and learn their story.
LA is an incredibly social city. People throw pool parties and barbecues, house parties and dinners. They go out to the beach and to local bars. This is where the real networking happens. Someone will mention a project over a drink, or you may overhear a friend looking to hire a crew person. This is where recommendations are made and deals happen.
We are excited to announce that FilmSkills is powering the State of Kentucky online film training program.
Kentucky offers aggressive tax incentives for film production, making it one of the more affordable film production locations in the United States. Due to the growing number of films coming to the state, Kentucky’s demand for crew is growing.
The FilmSkills certification program is all about training people to get jobs! It is intended for everyone from professionals who want to apply their craft in the film industry to university students who want to break into the market. This is the only certification program recognized by the Kentucky Film Office and the Kentucky Film Association.
Los Angeles-based director, Mark Grabianowski takes us behind the scenes of his new short film, Coyote. Set deep in the heart of Mexico, Coyote is the story of human traffickers’ search for the disappearance of a young woman.
What inspired this story?
I have always been fascinated with the fact that human trafficking is still practiced globally, even close to home. Mexico is only a few hours away yet people are being trafficked across the border everyday. I wanted to create a story that shows the violence and the hopelessness of these people who are locked into this life.
How did you prepare for the challenges and safety issues of shooting in the desert?
Coyote takes place in the desert of Mexico, so we needed to find as suitable alternative closer, the Mojave desert just outside of Los Angeles proved to be the perfect spot to set the film. Of course shooting in the desert is not as simple as shooting in your best friends backyard (as I did with my last film), planning and prepping for the shoot took months and involved help from many people. The first thing I got was production insurance and medical coverage for the shoot weekend. This covered up to one million dollars worth of damage and some basic medical coverage for the cast and crew. My locations person also knew the area inside and out and knew the safety precautions that were needed. We purchased 1st aid kits as well in the event that the cast or crew injured themselves. Another thing to mention was the area was prone for snakes and although the land owner hadn’t seen one in 7 years, the day before the shoot they saw a huge rattlesnake outside their van. Luckily we had no encounters.
The cast and crew of Mark Grabianowski’s short film, “Coyote,” prepared months for the logistics of shooting in the Mojave Desert.
How did you and your DP come up with the cinematic look of the film, and how did you accomplish it?
My DP Roger Viloria and I turned out to be a great team, he was on board from the beginning and had the same vision as I did. I first met with Roger to discuss my vision for the film, I explained to him how I envisioned this story through a wide scope and the tone I wanted to capture. I showed him a look book that I created with various images that I made as well as screenshots from other films and tv shows I used for inspiration. We then went to the location and did a scout shoot. We tried different lenses and setups with the camera and came back with something we both visually agreed with. Next, we worked together a few nights to create storyboards so that we were as best prepared for this quick 2 day shoot as possible, Roger is a great artists so it was a breeze. I felt it was important for me to get my vision across but not to limit Roger in his creativity. So if he had an idea or felt that something could have been shot better I took them into account.
Director Mark Grabianowski and DP Roger Viloria discuss a shot.Director of Photography, Roger ViloriaMark and Roger’s storyboards for “Coyote.”
You had a limited budget – can you give us a few examples of how you stretched your budget, or came up with novel ways to increase the production value of the movie?
Well, one way to increase production value is definitely through the location you choose, the viewer needs to believe they are where the story takes place or else the illusion is gone. Unfortunately in Los Angeles, locations are probably one of the most expansive parts of a production. I was fortunate that my DP, Roger, was good friends with one of the managers of this particular location. So right away my location fee went down from what would have been over $5,000 to $150! Another way I saved money was I had the actors provide their own wardrobe. I discussed with each actor what I was looking for and they brought from home what worked best, in some cases I went out and purchased some clothing or props form the good will (Good will or any thrift store, is a great resource for costumes).
Describe one of your biggest challenges in making this movie and how you resolved it.
One large challenge was how to get the cast and crew up to the Mojave desert to shoot for two days and spend as little money as possible. My co-producer Cole suggested we rent a Winnebago and drive up to the area It not only could transport cast and crew from he hotels to the location (which was about 20 miles in the desert) but it would serve as a home base that had held all the food, water and bathrooms as well as a place for shade and rest. The area had cheap hotels so I was able to put everyone up for a night comfortably then every morning at 6am we would all meet at the Winnebago for a cast crew meeting and then head out to the location. It ended up working out very well. Having the Winnebago also brought its own share of complications. On the second day of shooting, it became extremely windy and the wind almost tipped the Winnebago over as well as ripped the canopy off. While I was filming the crew ran over to take care of the issue. The damage ended up costing me and extra $1000 with insurance.
Winnebagos are good for more than making meth in the desert (I’m looking at you, Walter White) – they are the perfect solution for a mobile production office.
How have you marketed the movie so far, and what kind of response have you gotten?
One thing I always do when I market my films is by getting a few film reviews from websites and bloggers. I have also just recently submitted to numerous festivals. The next step is to market the film through other venues that deal with the same subjects such as human trafficking websites and Hispanic film festivals. The issue of human trafficking is a global one and I want to be able to share this story and issue around the world.
Learn film marketing techniques and how you can use Hollywood methods to promote your film:
