filmmaking

In this series, the Pocket Filmmaker shows you how to turn the smartphone in your pocket into a camera capable of shooting video projects that are worthy of sharing with family and friends, online, and even with the judges of short-film festivals.

In this episode, we look at the pitfalls faced by smartphone video-makers in recording pro-quality audio. We show you the best microphones to have on set with you, or attached to your phone, to make sure your films sound as good as they look.

Editors' note: Jason Van Genderen was the winner of several short film-making awards at … Read more

Welcome to CNET Australia's guide to pocket filmmaking. The Pocket Filmmaker will show you how to turn the smartphone in your pocket into a camera capable of shooting video projects that are worthy of sharing with family and friends, online, and even with the judges of some of Australia's biggest short-film festivals.

Your host on this creative journey is Jason Van Genderen, winner of several short filmmaking awards, including at Tropfest NY, Tropfest Sydney, Aspen Shortsfest, and even an IF Award. Jason's projects have been shot on the Nokia N95, Nokia N8, and Apple's iPhone. He … Read more

With decent lighting and a modern smartphone, you can shoot some pretty impressive movies.

Take "Olive," a feature-length film shot entirely on a Nokia N8. And Chan-wook Park shot a 30-minute movie, "Paranmanjang," using only an iPhone.

Of course, there's only so much you can accomplish holding your phone in those shaky hands of yours. If you want rock-steady images, you'll need some accessories.… Read more

For certain types of people, finding out that fantasy writer Neil Gaiman likes their work could be considered the cherry on top of a career. So for filmmaker Kevin Smith, seeing that Gaiman once tweeted "I suspect @ThatKevinSmith is what all gods and demons aspire to be" had to make for one terrific day.

@ThatKevinSmith, of course, is the man who made such cult hits as "Clerks," "Mallrats," and "Chasing Amy." More recently, he's moved on from wry humor to darker stuff like "Red State." And he's even … Read more

As the proliferation of devices like the iPhone and iPad continue, so does the proliferation of accessories to enhance their functionality. Makayama Media is one accessory maker that aims to take on Hollywood, providing a mount for the iPad 2 that adds professional studio equipment capabilities to any portable filmmaker.

The Movie Mount allows pro-grade features to be added to your iPad 2, turning it into a complete studio; it includes wide-angle lenses, microphones, lights, a tripod, and more.

Makayama also provides a free app that provides a variety of tools for moviemakers (though the app is not required in … Read more

If you've got cinematographic chops and an iOS device, you could win yourself (or someone you love) an iPad 2 or other prizes by submitting your best film creations made entirely on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad 2.

The Original iPhone Film Festival has four categories: Fiction, Brand Film, Nonfiction, or Music Videos. Submissions will be judged by a variety of film, TV, and music professionals including members of popular pop group Maroon 5, New York Times technology writer David Pogue, Macworld Senior Associate Editor Heather Kelly, and Director of Television Production at BBDO New York Regina Ebel. … Read more

Openfilm, a new Web site and online hub for independent filmmakers, hopes to combine social-media technology with streaming video, online conferences, and other resources to bring like-minded created types together from around the world.

It's backed by Scott Caan, star of the TV series "Hawaii Five-O" and "Entourage." As a director and indie filmmaker himself, he's the advocate of non-studio features, shorts, online movies, and other Hollywood outsider products. To kick off hype for the new site this past week, Scott participated in a live streaming conference at the LA Film School hosted by … Read more

Accusing someone in a federal lawsuit of illegally downloading pornography is by itself so potentially embarrassing that it puts undue pressure on an accused person to settle, a watchdog group has told judges in Texas and West Virginia.

Several porn studios have alleged in copyright complaints in those states that thousands of people illegally shared adult films via peer-to-peer networks and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, one of the best known advocates for tech companies and Internet users, has filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the defendants.

EFF has asked the courts hearing the cases to "block requests [by … Read more

Amazon.com has gone Hollywood.

Debuting yesterday, the new Amazon Studios is looking to make commercial motion pictures based on scripts and movies submitted by budding screenwriters and filmmakers.

Anyone with dreams to make it big in the big-screen business is invited to submit a full-length movie or script. Through both monthly and annual awards starting in 2011, Amazon plans to offer cash to the best submissions and develop the top projects as commercial movies through Warner Bros. or another Hollywood studio.

Filmmakers can upload their movies at the Amazon Studios Web site. Movies must be full-length--at least 70 minutes--and … Read more