What do Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and Toy Story all have in common? Besides being absolute classics, these three legendary films share one thing most people overlook: there was no room for failure. In this video, we dive into how these iconic movies—George Lucas’s Star Wars: A New Hope, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Pixar’s Toy Story—became the cinematic masterpieces we know today. It wasn’t just great storytelling or groundbreaking effects… it was the intense pressure behind the scenes, the all-or-nothing stakes, and the make-or-break moments that pushed these films from good to legendary. If you’re a fan of filmmaking breakdowns, behind-the-scenes movie history, or you’ve ever wondered how films like Toy Story, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars achieved movie perfection, this one’s for you. #lotr #starwars #videoessay 🎬 Learn about the high-stakes challenges, the creative risks, and the bold visionaries who couldn’t afford to fail—and how that pressure created some of the most beloved films of all time. 👍 Like the video, 💬 drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more deep dives into the craft of filmmaking.

🎬 What does a director actually do on a movie set? Hint: it’s usually not operating the camera. There’s a huge misconception about the role of a director in filmmaking—and we’re here to clear it up. Despite what you might see in behind-the-scenes footage, directors don’t usually operate the camera or set up shots. That’s the job of the cinematographer or director of photography (DP). The director’s real job is to lead the creative vision of the film, work with actors, guide camera departments, coordinate with production design, costume, and sound teams, and make the countless decisions that shape the story. In this video, we break down the director’s role in film production, including what they do in pre-production, on set, and during post-production. Whether you’re a film student, aspiring director, or just curious about how movies are made, you’ll get a better understanding of what directing is really about. ✅ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos on filmmaking, directing, and how movies are made! #FilmDirector #filmmaking #DirectingMovies #DirectorVsCinematographer #BehindTheScenes #FilmEducation

The final chapter to our production for the short film Lone Mountain. A huge thanks to the cast and crew who got us to the finish line. A lot of credit goes to Derek who was our AD and multiple times had to redo our shooting schedule. To start our day off, yes we had a wild bear encounter! I know he was a smaller bear, but the event was still scary just the same.. This is Montana filmmaking! A big part of this day for me was getting 2 shots I had envisioned from the very first draft of the script almost a decade ago. Those opening shots worked out as close to as o had in my mind, and that’s always an amazing experience to see come to life. But yet again you can watch how we had to finish out our day shooting both on digital and film. The digital we did several pickups because we weren’t sure how lighting consistently on the first 2 days would work our post development, so that’s what you see us doing. Go check out Riki’s IG @_rikiwatanabe_ @alex_browning #shortfilm #behindthescene #16mm #makingof Really appreciate all who have watched these videos and if it’s your first time, please go back and watch the other three, they are a little lengthy, but I’ve put a lot of effort into showing the entire process of shooting on film for all who wanna give it a try. Looking forward to come out with my next in the series editing a short film on film! ✌️ 00:00-00:35 Welcome back 00:36-01:13 The finish line 01:14-02:59 Bear encounter 03:00-07:06 Getting the perfect opening shot 07:07-10:01 Different formats and color grading 10:02-11:40 Nothing beats a Montana vista 11:41-14:07 That's a wrap! 14:08-17:36 Reflections and final thoughts 17:37-18:16 So...what's next?

How does shooting on film affect the mind of a DP on set?

What are the pros and cons of shooting on film and shooting on digital?

Film on a set is a finite resource, especially in the days of digital cameras.

Day 3 of 4—this is the one you don’t want to miss! 🎥🔥 Things got wild today. First off, we had to switch gears and shoot some scenes on digital with my RED Scarlet-W. If you caught the chaos at the end of Day 2, you know why (if not, go watch—it’s a story). Despite the shift, we pushed forward, bringing in our third actor, Beau Linnell, to play our modern-day character. His scenes completely changed the pace of the shoot in the best way possible! Then came the dream sequences… and our big gamble. We decided to shoot these surreal moments on expired Kodak Ektachrome—yes, the same iconic film stock used in Euphoria. Would it hold up? Would it give us that dreamy, nostalgic feel we needed? Or would it turn into an unpredictable mess? Either way, we were committed to using it to enhance our storytelling, making our lead character’s memories feel as visceral as possible. And just when we thought the day was wrapping up, nature threw us a curveball—a once-in-a-lifetime moment we had to capture. We scrambled, we ran, we rolled the camera, and what we got was nothing short of magic. You’ll have to see it to believe it. #shortfilm #16mm #indiefilm #behindthescene Hit like, drop a comment, and subscribe to keep up with the madness as we head into the final day of this 16mm adventure! 00:00-02:34 Welcome back 02:35-03:23 Goals for the day 03:23-11:55 Shooting Film vs digital 11:56-15:00 Working with Beau Linnell 15:01-15:58 Cabin locations 15:59-20:54 Splitting into 2 units 20:55-25:17 Shooting on Ektachrome 25:17- 30:11 Our wild finish 30:12- 31:50 This is why we make movies

Lone Mountain Screening at @zionsindiefilmfest March 1st 1PM in Orem Utah. For all those who wanted to see progress on this film, this is the first look at this being wrapped and prepped to be shown on the big screen. Subscribe for more. #shortfilm #teasertrailer #shotonkodak #ziff #indiefilm #teasertrailer

A foresnsic sketch artist finds out a suspect lives next door. As he begins to surveil him and finds a disturbing realization. #shortfilm #crimefilm #studentfilm Shot on the #sonya7s2 One of my first short films in college I wrote and directed back in 2016, and finally finished to show at my first festival in 2019. From there I submitted it to a few other online festivals but mostly I moved on to other projects. Looking back at this now, I thought it might be a good idea to publish all my films no atter their quality or the problems facing the budget, writing or other complications. Please enjoy!

Shooting a short film on 16mm film in rural Montana. Welcome to Day 2 of our four-day shoot on 16mm! 🎥 This was by far one of the craziest days we had on set, trying to catch up from what we missed from the complications we had from day 1. So we had a lot to get a lot completed. On top of that, we talk about how our film rolls were starting to run low and trying to get to the finish line. We decided to push our stock to 2 stops to help give us moe to work with as we were doing more This film is a period short funded by the Big Sky Montana Film grant, and we raised more funds to shoot this on 16mm film. It's a dream come true for us. It's a longer video, so please sit back and enjoy the chaos of what was day 2 for shooting Lone Mountain on beautiful 16mm film. Follow us along this vlog series If you've ever wondered what it's like to create a short film on analog film, 16mm in our case. Don't forget comment, and subscribe so you can follow the rest of our journey. Ans go give my brother Alex a sub! @alex_browning #shortfilm #filmmaking #16mmfilm

How did this series come to pass?

Shooting a short film on 16mm film in rural Montana. Welcome to Day 1 of our four-day shoot on 16mm! 🎥 This film is a period short funded by the Big Sky Montana Film grant, and we raised more funds to shoot this on 16mm film. It's a dream come true for us. We start the marathon and we are faced with more problems that any film would want to see, one of which that involves a car... and a bit Spoiler alert: when they say, "Anything can happen on set," they really mean it! Follow us along this vlog series If you've ever wondered what it's like to create a short film on analog film, 16mm in our case. Don't forget comment, and subscribe so you can follow the rest of our journey. Day 2 is just around the corner... hopefully, with fewer surprises! Ans go give my brother Alex a sub! @alex_browning #shortfilm #filmmaking #16mmfilm

#movies #movieposter

If you haven't been to a real IMAX theater, the first thought you might have is how wide are the screens? The answer is, not that much wider than our typical theaters, but for 70.. it's actually way taller of an image. And it's breathtaking. #70mm #imax

Here's why your local IMAX theater is most likely not true IMAX. Digital IMAX is better than typical theater screens, but don't think that it's the end all for the total experience of true experience of 70mm IMAX

In todays part vlog, I go over the last few days leading up to day 1 of production for Lone Mountain, a short film we are shooting on 16mm film. I breakdown the final trip I had to pick up my stock from Kodak that I got for free and had to fly in to pick it up, as well as our film camera kit we were shooting on (Arriflex SR2). It was all going great! Until I realized I wasn't going to make it back to my flight in time... With only 1 day left to get the most essential items back and prep for my first day of 5 days shooting, I had to make it back somehow. #16mmfilm #kodak #shotonfilm #lax

A short documentary I created as an early filmmaker for a college class about water rights in Idaho. It made me realize this topic is so much more important and how little we take water for granted. These last few months have been more difficult in water rights and fighting in Idaho, and I felt it was a good time to resurrect this 6 year old project to start a conversation and bring more awareness to this topic, even though this is only a scratch on the surface being as short as it is. From the famous words of Mark Twain: "Whisky is for drinking, water's for fighting over". #indiedocumentary #shortdoc #waterfight #idahowater

This was a project I had done back in 2019 when the circumstances with water weren't as dire. Now we are here 5 years later and this short documentary seemed to be appropriate to be the first of my documentaries to post on my channel. #idahowater #documentary #waterfight

If you're an actor, comment below and tell me what was your worst or best audition experience? In this video, I dive into the detailed process of casting for our short film, covering key aspects of finding the right actors to play the roles of my short film. This is a lengthy video that goes over all of my experience for this short film, and details how to: Work with a Casting Director: How I got a top tier casting director collaborate with and find the perfect actors to cast for my film. From initial meetings, payment structure, and how their expertise can significantly influence your film. SAG-AFTRA vs. Non-Union Actors: Navigating the differences between working with union and non-union actors can be tricky. We break down the pros and cons of each, and share insights on making the best choice for your project and what it means to be SAG signatory. Audition Process: From the initial call for auditions to callbacks, to final selections, I walk you through the entire audition process for a low budget short film. Learn about my approach to creating audition materials, evaluating performances, and narrowing down our choices. The Toughest Decision: Casting turned out to be one of the most challenging aspects of our film. This could be a "good" problem to have, but the talent of the actors sure didn't make it easy to pick who was going to be my lead and how I came to a final conclusion. Casting is most of directing if done right, so this is a video to shed some light on how I went about it with my producers and Casting director and what I gleaned for my first experience in this film. If you're passionate about filmmaking or just curious about what goes into casting, this video is for you. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content. #16mmfilm #shortfilm #castingcalls #actors #indiefilmmaking #directing Chapters 00:01-00:53 Introduction 00:53-01:46 My experience in casting actors 00:46-02:31 Actors make or break your film 02:31-03:15 Finding my dream actor 03:15-4:15 Connecting with a casting director 04:15-05:21 character breakdowns 05:21-06:03 Casting budget & payment structure 06:04-07:38 the secret to get big actors 07:38-07:54 SAG Strike 07:54-10:14 Working with Union and Non Union Actors 10:15-12:24 Casting start to finish for Lone Mountain 12:24-13:45 What was I looking for in the auditions? 13:45-20:15 The hardest decision I had to make 20:15-21:49 Final takeaways

One character is all you need!

Sometimes the outdoors offers all the locations you'll ever need.

Your honor, my client pleads oopsy-daisy. Watch the rest here:https://youtu.be/DlWOM5keksk?feature=shared

The effort required to find a camera that uses film is extraordinary. Watch the rest here: https://youtu.be/DlWOM5keksk?feature=shared

It ain't easy shooting on film. Watch the rest here: https://youtu.be/DlWOM5keksk?feature=shared

My brother and I are a director and cinematographer duo creating our first major short film we shot last year. This is a full uncut discussion between the two of us on this project and when we decided to shoot it on 16mm and how it was first time conducting our first time shooting on 16mm film in LA a few months before principal photography. We break down the good, the bad and the ugly of what it was like for us, and why anyone looking to shoot on film should do a test shoot before investing in a project with money on the line like we had. #16mmfilm #shortfilm #behindthescenes

Join me on a long 3 day vlog where we conduct our first scout of Polson Montana for my upcoming short film being shot on 16mm film. We are looking for our forests, rivers and my largest set-piece, our abandoned cabin, a pivotal location in our upcoming film. This is the beauty of montana filmmaking. After months of my online search, we stumbled upon the hidden gem we had been dreaming of. These scenes are pivotal for the film and with only 2 weeks remaining finding the right spots with our on ground production team was essential before we could move to production. #behindthescenes #shortfilm #filmscout #16mm But the adventure doesn't stop there. We also meet up with our prop specialist and costume designer in Whitehall Montana.. Discover the meticulous process of curating period-specific props that breathe life into our narrative. From vintage pieces to carefully selected wardrobe elements, witness the dedication and artistry that goes into transforming an abandoned cabin into a time capsule of storytelling. This is a more raw unfiltered vlog of this whole process, since there aren't many types of videos going into the details of it like I wanted to showcase. it's an exploration of the dedication, passion, and teamwork that fuels the filmmaking process. Whether you're a film enthusiast or a fellow creator, join us on this exhilarating ride . 🎬

Embark on another behind the scenes look at my intimate journey into the making of my short film, "mLone Mountain. We are ahootijf this on 16mm film. This is not a guide to flawless pre-production but a genuine exploration of the unique challenges and triumphs we faced in crafting a period piece shot on the traditional format with limited time and resources. #shortfilm #behindthescenes #preproduction #filmmaking Join me as we delve into the distinctive process of bringing a bygone era to life on 16mm film. From sourcing authentic props to navigating the intricacies of period-specific details, witness the unfiltered reality of our creative endeavor. I sure wish before i stepped into this project I had someone else provide thisnkijd of insight. So learn from our lessons both hard leanred and things we were grateful in doing doe your next project. It's not just a behind-the-scenes glimpse; it's an invitation to witness the artistry, learn from the challenges, and appreciate the unscripted beauty that unfolds when passion meets celluloid. 🎞️

Posting the RAW overscan for 16mm filmmaking with the Arriflex SR2 Super 16. We have 100ft of 500T and 100 ft 250D Vision3 film stocks for an upcoming short film called "Lone Mountain". This is the entire RAW overscan we got back from Pro8mm in Burbank CA. This was shot using the Arriflex SR2 modified for super 16mm. This test was rough and pretty run and gun. The second half we begin to test for exposure levels indoors lit artificially. First roll is the 500T and the second roll is 250D. This is an overscan meaning it's not cropped in for an image you would use for editing, and it's ungraded footage so it is flat. This video is tailored for filmmakers seeking a deeper understanding of 16mm filmmaking techniques and the nuances of working with raw footage overscans. #16mmfilm #filmtest #shotonfilm Join us as we dissect the technical aspects and share our experiences with these renowned film stocks and the Arriflex SR2 Super 16 camera. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or a curious mind intrigued by cinematography and film testing, this video offers valuable insights into the world of 16mm filmmaking. DM for access to the raw clip! Stay updated on our cinematic explorations by subscribing and enabling notifications. Let's embark on this journey through the captivating realm of 16mm filmmaking. 🎬✨

I'm making a short film and shooting it on 16mm film. But in this video, I wanted to go more into the incredible rollercoaster ride that has been this short film. For those who want to learn more about the story, background, genre and where it all came from, this video is for you. #shortfilm #indiefilm #studentfilm I recount the genesis of my short film, "Lone Mountain," starting from its humble beginnings as a college student project. I delve into the challenges and hurdles faced during its production by trying to shoot it on an anamorphic projection lens, ultimately leading to the heartbreaking realization of being unable to complete it at that time. However, as fate would have it, this setback was merely a stepping stone towards a remarkable turn of events. I reveal the pivotal moment when the tides shifted in my favor—an unexpected win of the prestigious Montana Big Sky grant. This transformative opportunity breathed new life into "Lone Mountain," providing the means and resources to revisit this passion project with a substantial budget behind it. At least for me... Prepare to witness the behind-the-scenes magic as I navigate the revival of "Lone Mountain," showcasing the dedication, hard work, and sheer perseverance that propelled this project from a college setback to a remarkable comeback. Don't miss out on this inspiring tale—subscribe, like, and share to be a part of this incredible journey of turning failure into an ultimate triumph! ✨🎥

A film test my brother and I did in LA for an upcoming short film we are shooting on super 16. We rented the Arriflex SR2 and bought 100 feet of 500T and 100 ft of 250D to conduct our first series of exposure and exterior tests with the camera we were going to shoot our short film with. I add in this a few examples of a rough grade we did to see how we could push the image, although it didn't have enough information from our scan to do a great job. You'll see for the interiors, we would do a shot exposed proper, then -1 stop -2 stops and +1 and +2 stops exposure. I have it scribbled on my iphone but can be hard to read... #kodak #16mm #testshoot #shotonfilm Hope this gives more insight to others looking to shot on the format. For any questions comment and I'll clarify. Camera: Arriflex SR2 Lens 16-62 Canon S16 zoom lens Stocks: Vision3 500T, Vision3 250D Developer: Pro8MM Burbank Scan: 2K overscan, mp4 Cropped to 1.85 Aspect ratio

This video I go through why I'm so glad we did a test shoot before we got to shoot our short film on 16mm film on the Arriflex SR2. I want to share all of the incredible, good, the bad and the ugly for my brother and our first attempt at shooting on 16mm film using the Arriflex SR2. This was all a film test shoot! We are in the pre-production process of our short film Lone Mountain to be shot this fall. Because neither of us have touched a film camera, this was an essential step to have in order for us confidently get to shoot day for the film and be able to know how this format works truly. We were looking to mitigate our risk before approaching our indie short film. We can't just show up on the same day never using film before and hope nothing goes wrong. So this was an investment for ourselves to get any issues or problems out before we started our film. For those wanting to shoot a film on 16mm, watch this first and hear from the details of both myself (director) and Alex (DP) break down the things we learned, loved and wish we did better. #indiefilm #16mmfilm #shortfilm Some more information about the test shoot The camera we used: Arriflex SR2 Lens: Canon Super16 11.5-138mm zoom lens Location: Burbank, CA Stock: Kodak 500T, Kodak 250D I'm planning on posting the entire raw footage from the shoot soon! Chapters 00:00 Intro to the test shoot 01:30 Why we need to do a test shoot? 03:54 Why travel to LA? 05:31 What we planned to do in 1 day 05:59 Unplanned problems in LA 08:27 Picking up the film at Pro8 MM 09:33 Loading the film 10:14 Time to roll 12:15 Highlights of exterior test shoot 13:54 Our major problem 16:38 Saving the last roll of film 19:25 Reviewing the final results 20:40 Final thoughts on shooting on film 22:14 Things we wish we did better 24:22 Next steps

A conversation I had with a filmmaking mentor about my upcoming project with a montana film grant. In short, the risk was too high.

I'm an independent filmmaker based in Idaho who has one goal some might scoff at. I want to shoot a film on super 16 film. Actual film. In a world where everything is done digitally for our stories today, I want to go back to the way I have always found most organic and traditional of the earlier films several decades ago. I walk through all of the obstacles in being able to shoot on film for as small of a budget we have, and in our location away from LA, it will prove to be a lot more than I anticipated to shoot on film. It's really risky, but I believe it's worth it. We will see if that risk pays off... #shotonfilm #indiefilm #btsvlog _____________________________________ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:43 - The film project 02:08 - Why shoot if on film? 06:02 - Why it's harder than I expected 08:45 - Costs to shoot on film 11:53 - What is scary about film 12:50 - shooting both digital and film 13:20 - What I look forward for shooting on film? 14:10 - Why talk about this now? 15:08 - How far along are we with this film? _____________________________________