As a filmmaker, I’m always trying to get better at what I do. As a result, I’ve spent a lot of time reading and studying the art of nonfiction filmmaking. On this page, I try and pass on the best of what I’ve learnt.
General filmmaking
- Casting great contributors — my ultimate guide
- How to produce powerful interviews — everything I know
- Imagine your film — the master filmmaker skill
- Filming interviews remotely — 10 tips based on my past mistakes
- 11 things to read or watch that will help you make better video
Journalistic explainers
- How to write visually
- Building in layers — fundamental principle of producing explainers
- Homework on screen — useful visual technique for explainers
- Visual options for explainers
- Titles – how to come up with killer titles for YouTube
- Formulas for explainers
Understand social media video
- How to go viral… according to the Game Theorists
- How to go viral… according to Priceonomics [being updated]
- How to go viral… according to Veritasium [being updated]
- YouTube – how television channels and news publishers get it wrong
- How Reddit beautifully illustrated the way communities power the internet
Creativity
- Creative wisdom of… Phil Edwards of Vox
- Creative wisdom of… Ira Glass
- Side-projects – advice on how to make progress with yours
- Why filmmakers should steal ideas – and how to do it
- Video Inspiration archive
(Also check out the Video Ideas email list.)
Career / business advice
- TV jobs — tips for applications
- TV jobs — tips for interviews
- How to get jobs in TV – the alternative method that works
- 5 arguments for why creatives should specialise
- Short film commissions — how to get them
- We need to talk about career break-ups
- Combine pain and rainbows for a happy career
Notes on films I’ve made
- Europeans film – New York Times – production notes
- Climate Change film – BBC Ideas – production notes
- Palm Oil film – BBC Reel – production notes
If you found these articles useful, please consider signing up to my email list. Alongside articles, I also share video ideas and inspiration from different corners of the internet. (You can also choose to get updates when I publish a new film.)