Each year adds a new entrant to the ever-lengthening list of people affecting and influencing the film industry. However, only a few manage to stand out from the lot and influence others with their creative endeavours. Keeping track of their latest projects and achievements allows one to engage with their unique sensibilities as a filmmaker, and the developments they make in their lives as a person/institution. Our writer (and, in no particular order) jots down some of the most active and innovative influencers worth following in 2020:
1. Matt Workman: Workman specializes in technical cinematography which usually involves previs, motion control, and heavy VFX. He’s the founder of Cinematography Database, and the creator of Cine Tracer, a real-time cinematography simulator. His work and Cine Tracer was featured in the April 2020 issue of American Cinematographer. And, his regular posts featuring virtual production vlogs and demos are a must-follow for all those interested in the use of futuristic technology in cinema.
2. Sidney Diongzon: Diongzon is a filmmaker, photographer, content creator, and visual storyteller based in Southern California. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the past. His feed is a mix of product and accessory reviews, camera-work techniques, tips for YouTubers, tutorials, personal life updates and some mood musings… basically, he offers the complete package!
3. Austen Paul: Having worked with several reputed brands, Paul regularly shares a breakdown of his commercial shoots. Austen Paul Productions, an international visual content studio and full-service production company, is founded and directed by him. His forte includes many aspects of filmmaking, from videography to editing to VFX and after-effects.
4. Justin Dunna McDonough: McDonough is a music studio owner and YouTuber. Anyone who wishes to up their skills in any of the aspects of filmmaking must follow Mc Donough. Every Monday, he releases a video which deals in photography/videography, gear/tech reviews, vlogs, music, tutorials, and even motivation and deep thinking; content that is both engaging and informative in nature.
Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook
5. Valentina Vee: Vee is a director, cinematographer, and editor. Her clients include Nike, National Geographic, Dell, L’Oreal, MTV, and Adobe. She specializes in creating compelling content with a positive message. Her expertise in editing and lighting are worth following. She also hosts live content creation tutorials, providing a deeper understanding of the process.
6. Colin & Samir: Colin and Samir are award-winning, branded content producers and filmmakers based in Downtown Los Angeles. Their YouTube videos provide some crucial insight into the industry business. They run a podcast where every week they talk about a whole range of issues from politics to YouTube to Content business. They have recently launched an online storytelling course, giving lessons on brand building and telling better stories.
7. Iz Harris: Harris is a YouTuber, travel filmmaker, and digital producer. She loves globe-trotting and documenting stories about her travels, sharing everything from where to go to what to eat. She is also the host and producer of Eater’s ‘Travel Eat Repeat’ and the co-founder of Bright Trip, offering travel industry’s first video-based travel courses, jam-packed with information and providing tips on gear, storytelling techniques, filming tips, editing tutorials.
8. Levi Allen: Allen is an adventure film director whose feed is stuffed with precious insight into lighting, editing, accessories, and shooting of difficult adventure sequences. He is the creator of Leftcoast Media House, a media company making adventure films for brands. His most recent project is Adventure Film Academy, an online platform which conducts workshops and classes to help people better live and film their adventure stories.
9. Becki and Chris: Becki and Chris are a New York-based couple who like to discover all the aspects of filmmaking and share it. Their vlogs and blogs focus on photoshop, photography, Blender tutorials, and DIY setups. They even have a 6 episode docu-style travel series called Cold Island, filmed in a helicopter. Their Tuxedo Time podcast discusses behind-the-scenes, vlogging, and their personal lives.
10. Indie Film Hustle (IFH): IFH is a resource dedicated to providing an inside perspective of the entire film business. Its vlogs cover everything from screenwriting to film marketing, dropping truth bombs and giving some valuable tips on how to thrive in the industry. The IFH podcast brings in interviews of film industry experts. IFH has recently introduced IFHTV (Indie Film Hustle TV), the world’s first streaming service which screens exclusive content and provides courses on screenwriting and more.
Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook
Although this list is in no way exhaustive, it gives a fair picture of what impacts the industry while shaping and setting new narratives in the filmmaking discourse. Any film enthusiast keeping up with these trendsetters is sure to get a lot of insight into the world of glitz and glamour.
Did we miss your favourite infulencer? Do let us know in the comments below.
How about Qmars Mootab
Interesting and Great List of Top Filmmaker’s Profiles. Thanks for sharing.