Four Lessons in Filmmaking

I’m currently wrapping up editing on a new short film. Here are four lessons I’ve learned over the years from making movies. Crew Work with the best people you can afford. And if you can’t afford a great Director of Photography, call in favors and plan to trade services in return. You’ll have to work around others' schedules but nothing can ever replace working with talented people. Advice Feedback is critical. And there’s never a shortage of opinions. As the saying goes, everyone’s got one. It may be tempting to seek out as many opinions as you can. But doing so often leaves me at least feeling like I’m drowning in conflicting ideas. I’ve had more success seeking out the advice of two or three trusted friends who understand what I’m trying to do. In the end though, I think we have to learn to trust our own vision, even if others…

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Read more about the article Congratulations to the 2014 Alexia Foundation Grant Recipients
Photo by Sebastian Liste/Reportage by Getty Images

Congratulations to the 2014 Alexia Foundation Grant Recipients

Photo by Sebastian Liste/Reportage by Getty Images

Today the Alexia Foundation announced the recipients of the 2014 Alexia Foundation Grants: Sebastián Liste for the professional grant and Mehran Hamrahi for the student grant.

Liste, who lives in Alicante, Spain, will receive the $20,000 professional grant for his project, “The New Culture of Violence in Latin America” which is an investigation of crime, punishment and security in Latin America. The Alexia Grant will allow Sebastián to produce the final coverage in his five year study of violence in the region by exploring the issue in Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, where communities have endured years of violence from drug wars, criminal gangs and the illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons and people. Sebastián’s work will raise awareness of the gravity of the current situation that impacts millions of citizens in the region and will impel political and media leaders to pay vital attention to this important issue.
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MediaStorm Welcomes Summer Intern Randall Rodriguez

MediaStorm is excited to welcome Randall Rodriguez to our team as a Summer 2014 motion graphics intern. Randall is a motion graphics artist with a ravenous appetite for art, information and storytelling. This appetite bred a desire to not only consume, but create the meaningful content that became a fixture in his own life. Randall was born and raised in Orlando, FL. Drawn to street art and graffiti from a young age, he found his true home when he took his talent to the computer. Randall has worked developing motion graphics for nationally touring musicians RPM. He has also worked in television, being part of a creative team which successfully pitched multiple shows to major networks. Randall earned his Bachelor's in Digital Art and Design from Full Sail University.

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Worth Clicking: Olympian Helmets, Photographers Talk Back, Cool Apps & A “Get Better” Attitude

All links are hand-picked by the MediaStorm staff for your enjoyment this weekend. Cheers! 45 photographers pick their best photo apps. [XYO Blog] Follow This American Life producer Miki Meek's Instagram travel diary. [New York Times Magazine] Young people swap clothes with grandparents and parents for charming photo series. [22 Words] Shaena Mallett, a documentary and fine art photographer, captures feelings of deep loss in You Were Here. [A Still World] John Stanmeyer, World Press Photo winner for contemporary issues, talks through his award winning photograph. [thinkTank Photo on Vimeo] Industry leader MaryAnne Golon of The Washington Post interview and photo journal. [NPAA] The incredible benefits of a "get better" versus a "be good" mindset. [99u] Olympians get creative with helmut designs. [Imgur] Sochi Photo Firehose streams Olympic photos as they are downloaded. [New York Times] A disturbing look at the violence faced by the LGBT community of Russia. [Human Rights Watch on YouTube]  

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