Learn about film

06/11/2025

I’ve run hundreds of film projects in schools and communities, with children and adults. Like a lot of film educators, I’d start by showing examples to introduce key concepts, teach technical skills, and then get the learners to plan and storyboard their own movies.

But the results were often disappointing. Somehow there was a gap between theory and practice. So I tried a new approach.

I shot a simple short movie with a lot of different versions of the shots (static vs moving, wide-angle vs telephoto, high and low angle). Then I put them into an editing program, showed how to edit the first few clips together, and let the learners create their own versions of my movie.

They were really engaged. Suddenly they could see how shot selection, match on action, shot-reverse shot and so on actually worked in practice. And it meant they had a hands-on understanding of these concepts before they started planning their own shots. It made a big difference to the quality of their own films.

Hundreds of schools used my original editable movie. So I developed a new version with more clips and more supporting materials.

EditClass includes 90 shots (a linked action and dialogue scene), getting started guides for iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Premiere, basic and intermediate practice activities, and a PowerPoint introduction to the continuity system.

Here’s what users say:
“Your package is amazing! It has everything a teacher could want. Very good tutorial guides.”

EditClass is a complete short movie to edit, to help you learn or teach video editing and filmmaking.Works with any editing programTwo scenes, over 90 clipsUser guides for iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Adobe PremiereBasic and intermediate activitiesPower...

20/10/2025

I've decided to make Making Movies Make Sense a free download (tips welcome). This 148-page interactive Apple Book for ages 9 and up is packed with stills, videos and interactive diagrams. It's designed for iPad and also works on Mac and iPhone.

Interactive introduction to filmmaking and film language for ages 9 to adult . For iPad, Mac and iPhone. 148 pages, 55 videos, instant download.

18/10/2025

I don't want anyone to be priced out of my film education resources. So for individuals, my filmmaking ebook Start Making Movies is now 'pay what you want'.
https://payhip.com/b/V3mWo

03/04/2025

You can learn a lot about filmmaking from watching other people’s movies. Here's my guide to what to look out for.
https://www.learnaboutfilm.com/film-language/read-movie-scene/

01/04/2025

It's really important to make sure you have all the shots you need to tell the story effectively, and to edit together smoothly. Here are six different ways of making sure you've got what filmmakers call 'coverage '.

https://www.learnaboutfilm.com/making-a-film/organising-filmmaking-process/filming/coverage-get-the-shots-you-need/

27/03/2025

Basic editing principles for filmmakers:
• Shoot for editing
• Select just what the story needs
• Show something new with each edit
• Step between shot sizes
• Use cutaways to hide jump cuts
• Use a master shot for an overview
• Get the pace right
• Use the right transitions
• Edit on the action
• Use sound to make your edit smoother
https://www.learnaboutfilm.com/film-language/editing/

03/03/2025

I've redesigned my homepage to put more emphasis on film language and creative filmmaking ideas. If you've got any suggestions for content you'd like to see on the site please let me know. www.learnaboutfilm.com

13/02/2025

Here's a filmmaking challenge that will get you thinking about shot size, camera position and continuity (match on action, shot-reverse shot and the 180 degree rule)

A short filmmaking exercise to practise using different shot sizes while following the continuity system (match on action, shot-reverse shot, 180 degree rule).

22/01/2025

Learnaboutfilm is now on Bluesky :

Film educator and trainer Tom Barrance, creator of the easy-to-understand filmmaking website learnaboutfilm.com. I provide film training, activities and resources.

07/01/2025

Do you have a popular education or filmmaking website, blog or social media channel? I'm looking for affiliates for my education resources Start Making Movies and EditClass. 50% net commission. More details at learnaboutfilm.com/affiliate-invitation

Do you have expertise or authority in film or education? Do you have a popular website, blog, YouTube or social media channel? You could earn 50% net commission on sales of my education resources, Start Making Movies and EditClass. If you’re interested, please email me with the following informati...