Journal

Notes from Set

Lessons from 48 productions, from the MasterChef kitchen to Kansas City. Practical filmmaking, one principle at a time. New lessons every Tuesday.

Lesson 1 · 101 Film School: The 10 Filmmaker Commandments
Comic strip of Commandment 1, Thou Shalt Know Thy Story: Jason filming Policing Paradise in Bermuda and a playoff game in IndianaRead commandment 1 →Comic strip of Commandment 2, Thou Shalt Respect Thy Subject: Jason talking with a young contributor with the camera down, filming basketball, and in the editRead commandment 2 →
3Thou Shalt Listen More Than Thou SpeakethComing soon
4Thou Shalt Light for the Moment, Not the ShowreelComing soon
5Thou Shalt Earn Every ShotComing soon
6Thou Shalt Protect Thy SoundComing soon
7Thou Shalt Know Thy Kit BlindfoldedComing soon
8Thou Shalt Let a Better Story InComing soon
9Thou Shalt Shoot for the EditComing soon
10Thou Shalt Look After Thy CrewComing soon
More lessons
Next lesson · Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Working With a Shooting Producer Director

What a shooting PD does, when to hire one over a director and DP, and how to get the best from them.

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