If you’re a filmmaker, you’re a storyteller. And if we had to guess, we’d say you’re pretty passionate about it.
But growing in your craft is hard. Often, it feels like the road is full of nothing but obstacles. There’s always something new to learn, and it’s tough to know where to even begin.
As filmmakers ourselves, we've known what it’s like to be stuck, or to feel lost in the gap between where you are, and where you want to be. That’s why we created the Academy of Storytellers – a community where we all improve our filmmaking together, so that we can build sustainable, lifelong careers in the craft we love.
Over the past several years, we’ve built a war chest of knowledge in the filmmaking world. It covers nearly every aspect of the filmmaking process, on both the technical and career-building sides. And as we built it, we learned something very simple, yet easy to miss: growth happens best in community.
The Academy of Storytellers isn’t just a place where you can go to learn all the things you need to know about making amazing films. It’s a place where you can go to find a like-minded network of filmmakers driven by story, dedicated to being the best artists they can be. A place to share our wins, along with our failures. A place to build real community, and share some truly remarkable stories along the way.
When you join the Academy, you get hundreds of tutorials & courses designed to help you make quick, much-needed advancements in your filmmaking skills.
But most importantly, you get our total commitment to help you achieve your goals as a filmmaker. We want you to share the stories that only you can tell, and help the world become a little bit better because of your unique perspective.
This is our Core set of filmmaking resources, and it's a great introduction to the Academy.
Whether you’re just starting out, or have been in the business for years, these tutorials and videos are central to any filmmaker's journey.
The Academy's TOGETHER Filmmaking Workshop Series brings everything we're about together for an unmatched learning experience. It's our passion and what defines us.
But what are these workshops, exactly?
In short, they're master classes from filmmakers at the top of their game, from many different disciplines. To create these workshops, we find filmmakers who truly excel at their craft, and ask them to teach you everything they know. These are experts with an actionable, proven approach and a desire to share lessons learned.
No single educator can be the best in every area. That's why we dig deep to find and work with the very best authority in each discipline, so you get field-tested knowledge about the exact skill and process you want to learn.
Our team spends months helping each workshop leader to deliver their messaging and content in a way that's guaranteed to help you grow. This is our mission and passion.
We do this for a simple reason: we care about YOU – your aspirations, your goals, your future as a filmmaker.
So look through what we've got, and see if there's something that could help you take the next step in your filmmaking journey.
NICHING DOWN TO SCALE UP
Presented By Levi Allen
How to build a 6-figure production company, even as a team of one. 28 Lessons
● INTRO VIDEO
● MODULE 1: FINDING YOUR NICHE | 5 Videos
● MODULE 2: TURN YOUR NICHE INTO A BUSINESS | 6 Videos
● MODULE 3: BUILDING A BUSINESS | 7 Videos
● MODULE 4: THE LONG GAME | 6 Videos
● RECORDED COACHING CALLS | 3 Videos
DOMINATE IN-HOUSE VIDEO
Presented By Scott David Martin
Learn how to become unstuck from operational restraints and move toward building the team of your dreams, all while creating passion-fueled films that drive exponential value for your company. 33 Lessons
● INTRO VIDEO
● MODULE 1: SPEAK THE BUSINESS OF VIDEO, TALK STRAIGHT | 5 Videos
● MODULE 2: BUILD A BRAND, DISRUPT CORPORATE CULTURE | 5 Videos
● MODULE 3: RECRUIT THE BEST TEAM/FREELANCERS | 6 Videos
● MODULE 4: SPEND LESS/DELIVER MORE | 3 Videos
● MODULE 5: INVEST IN YOURSELF, DON'T CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK, BE A FRONTLINE SOLDIER, BE HUMAN | 5 Videos
● RECORDED COACHING CALLS | 4 Videos
● Q&A | 4 Videos
COMMERCIAL FILMMAKING WORKSHOP
Presented By The Delivery Men and Stillmotion
Everything you need to attract great clients, win the pitch, and deliver work that keeps them coming back for more. 33 Lessons
● INTRO VIDEO
● MODULE 1: HOW TO BUDGET FOR COMMERCIAL FILMS | 6 Videos
● MODULE 2: REAL PROJECT BREAKDOWNS | 8 Videos
● MODULE 3: LIGHTING DEMONSTRATION | 5 Videos
● MODULE 4: STORYTELLING PART 1 | 4 Videos
● MODULE 5: STORYTELLING PART 2 | 9 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
● Q&A | 4 Videos
THE ART AND BUSINESS OF COMMERCIAL FILMMAKING
Presented By Norry Niven
Known for luminous film, dynamic visual effects and directing celebrity talent, Norry Niven’s ability to curate beauty and navigate the intricacies of performance shine through his work. 19 Lessons
● INTRO | 2 Videos
● MODULE 1: THE ART OF COMMERCIAL FILMMAKING | 4 Videos
● MODULE 2: GETTING ON THE AGENCY RADAR | 5 Videos
● MODULE 3: MAKING THE PITCH | 4 Videos
● MODULE 4: GOT THE GIG? CREATE! | 4 Videos
Presented By Patrick Moreau
Patrick is quite literally obsessed with story. He spends his days telling stories and helping others be empowered by story through his Muse storytelling process. 12 Lessons
● INTRO VIDEO
● MODULE 1: BUILDING BLOCK 1: DESIRE | 2 Videos
● MODULE 2: BUILDING BLOCK 2: CONFLICT | 3 Videos
● MODULE 3: BUILDING BLOCK 3: STORY STRUCTURE | 4 Videos
● MODULE 4: BUILDING BLOCK 4: VISON | 2 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
SONY CAMERAS
Presented By 31Films
Sony cameras are some of the most feature-packed and affordably priced cameras out there for filmmakers. But, getting the best possible image out of them can be a bit of a process. 31Films has mastered this process and will be sharing their secrets with you in this workshop. 17 Lessons
● INTRO | 3 Videos
● MODULE 1: RIGGING YOUR CAMERA | 6 Videos
● MODULE 2: SETTING CUSTOM FUNCTIONS | 2 Videos
● MODULE 3: PICTURE PROFILES | 5 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
● Q&A | 1 Video
WEDDING FILMMAKING
Presented By 31Films
With more than 500 weddings filmed over the last 15 years, 31Films has narrowed in on the wedding stories they love to tell, and how to set up their business to tell them in a profitable way – all without sacrificing their vision. In this workshop they pull back the curtain and show you exactly how they did it. 31 Lessons
● INTRO VIDEO
● MODULE 1: FINDING IDEAL CLIENTS | 7 Videos
● MODULE 2: GEAR AND SHOOTING TIPS | 4 Videos
● MODULE 3: WEDDING DAY STRATEGIES | 7 Videos
● MODULE 4: POST WORKFLOW | 4 Videos
● MODULE 5: SETTING UP YOUR BUSINESS FOR SUCCESS | 8 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
ON-SET WITH RYAN BOOTH
Follow along with Director Ryan Booth during the filming of The Heights and get candid, behind-the-scene, access into the inspiration and challenges that came with directing this – his first – narrative short. 18 Lessons
● INTRO Video
● MODULE 1: THE STORY | 4 Videos
● MODULE 2: PRE PRODUCTION | 7 Videos
● MODULE 3: PRODUCTION DAY 1 | 5 Videos
● MODULE 4: PRODUCTION DAY 2 | 4 Videos
● MODULE 5: POST PRODUCTION | 3 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
● Q&A | 1 Video
ON-SET WITH JOE SIMON AND THE DELIVERY MEN
Go behind the scenes on a narrative film shoot! In “On Set with Joe Simon and The Delivery Men’, learn how the team brought LOW TIDE, their new narrative short, to life - from pre-production right through to post-production. Get ready! 17 Lessons
● INTRO | 2 Videos
● MODULE 1: PRE PRODUCTION | 4 Videos
● MODULE 2: PRODUCTION | 6 Videos
● MODULE 3: POST PRODUCTION | 5 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
CASE STUDY FILMMAKING
Presented By Patrick Moreau
Learn how to craft case study videos that get results and attract clients – even if you've got a tiny budget and no crew. 24 Lessons
● INTRO | 2 Videos
● MODULE 1: BUSINESS & PROCESS | 4 Videos
● MODULE 2: STORY & INTERVIEWS | 6 Videos
● MODULE 3: LIGHTING | 3 Videos
● MODULE 4: EYE LINES, LENS CHOICE, AND CAMERA HEIGHT | 2 Videos
● MODULE 5: MASTERING CHALLENGING LOCATIONS | 5 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
● Q&A | 2 Videos
CINEMATOGRAPHY AND LIGHTING
Presented By Ryan Booth
Ryan Booth is a filmmaker by way of photography, by way of audio engineering, by way of college, by way of college, by way of Texas. 22 Lessons
● INTRO Video
● MODULE 1: DEFINING THE CONVERSATION | 10 Videos
● MODULE 2: OK, TIME TO MOVE SOME LIGHTS AROUND | 5 Videos
● MODULE 3: GEAR TALK | 2 Videos
● MODULE 4: NEXT STEPS | 4 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
NARRATIVE FILMMAKING
Presented By Seth Worley
Seth Worley writes and directs for TV and the internet. In this workshop, Seth teaches how he approaches narrative filmmaking & writes stories that people will want to watch. 22 Lessons
● INTRO | 1 Video
● MODULE 1: FINDING YOUR VOICE | 2 Videos
● MODULE 2: WRITING | 6 Videos
● MODULE 3: PREP | 5 Videos
● MODULE 4: SET | 4 Videos
● DOWNLOADABLE SLIDES AND RESOURCES
● Q&A | 2 Videos
● BONUS: STUDENT SCRIPT BREAKDOWN
POST AUDIO AND SOUND
Presented By Dallas Taylor
Dallas Taylor of Defacto Sound gives you an in-depth look at post audio and sound. 12 Lessons
● INTRO | 2 Videos
● MODULE 1: EDITING DIALOGUE | 4 Videos
● MODULE 2: LEVELS, MONITORING, AND MIXING | 1 Video
● MODULE 3: AUDIO SPLITS | 1 Video
● MODULE 4: POST AUDIO IN A NUTSHELL | 1 Video
● MODULE 5: SOUND DESIGN | 2 Videos
● MODULE 6: WORKING WITH A TEAM | 1 Video
STARTING AND GROWING A PODCAST
Presented By Dallas Taylor
Dallas Taylor of Defacto Sound gives you his account for how to start and grow your podcast. 10 Lessons
● INTRO | 1 Video
● MODULE 1: TOOLS, PROGRAMS, AND INTERVIEWS | 3 Videos
● MODULE 2: TELLING GREAT STORIES | 3 Videos
● MODULE 3: THE BUSINESS OF PODCASTING | 1 Video
● MODULE 4: Q&A | 1 Video
7 COUNTRIES, 7 FILMS, 15 DAYS
Presented By Story & Heart and Joe Simon
Seven films shot in seven countries in fifteen days. Seriously! Story & Heart and Joe Simon travelled the globe to create a series of branded content. 11 Lessons
● INTRO | 1 VIDEO
● MODULE 1: GETTING READY FOR ADVENTURE | 2 Videos
● MODULE 2: 7 COUNTRIES, 7 FILMS, 15 DAYS | 8 Videos
PRE-PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION
POST PRODUCTION
BUSINESS
COMPELLING COMPOSITIONS
CAMERA FUNDAMENTALS
FILMMAKER GLOSSARY
The Academy is an amazing resource, where we're learning from other people, from different companies coming together in a real community...it's getting the experience of working with other people but still being able to work for myself. The Academy has been really good for stepping up, getting out of my comfort zone, and taking on new challenges.
The Academy is exactly what I have been waiting for! A place where I can learn new skills from pros and discuss topics with other community members. I'm no longer alone in the vast world of storytelling!
Our company started training with Story and Heart in 2016 and I was blow away with the possibilities and everything they had to offer. The information is comprehensive and you learn from the some of the best in the industry. Not to mention the amazing support from their community of like minded filmmakers.
This is a home for filmmakers who want to make radical improvements in their craft, together.
It’s a community for people who value collaboration over competition.
A place to go with questions, and leave with answers.
A destination for shifting the way you tell stories, and move your audience.
It's time to capture your future as a filmmaker.
And in fact, we guarantee it will. If we weren't able to help you learn something new, or get you closer to achieving one of the breakthroughs you need in your career, we’ll happily send back your money. Just let us know within 7 days of your purchase.