How To Get Started

If you want to learn the basics about various aspects of filmmaking whether it's writing, directing, cinematography or performing, there are a number of excellent resources available online. You can also find some books which are great guides to filmmaking, lighting, greenscreen and software here. You can find an idea of the basic low budget filmmaking equipment you may need here. You can post ads to buy and sell used video equipment, computers, cameras, etc. at the Digital Trading Post.

If you're interested in the film industru in Canada you can pick up a copy of one of the trades like Playback Magazine, Canadian Screenwriter Magazine or Montage and read up on what's happening in the Canadian film and television industry. If you have a website, get yourself listed at Chuck's Toronto Film & Video Directory or Mandy.com.

If you're looking for crew, actors, writers, etc. or if you want to find work in film, you can post and/or read ads at the Toronto Film and Video Forum Message Board where you can also promote screenings, parties and other film-related events. Other places to look are the job ads at Mandy.com, Craigslist, Playback or Now magazine.

General Resources

Filmmaking Tools
Resources for directing, editing, festivals, etc.

Freebies For Filmmakers
Free software, production templates, music, eBooks, guides, etc.

Final Cut Pro Training
Edit Extreme.

Media Job Search Ontario
Job listings.

Playback Careers
Online job listings.

Writing
Resources for screenwriters. Allexperts has free screenwriting Q & A service provided by a Toronto screenwriter.

News, Networking & Users Groups

If you're trying to get started in the film business it's not a bad idea to check out these groups:

CICA
Canadian Independent Camera Association.

The Canadian Society of Cinematographers supports a full agenda of training, education, and dissemination of the latest in technical and product information.

FilmThrill.ca
Hosting regular social and networking events.

Toronto Avid Users Group is an organization of film and video editors, managers, Avid engineers and Avid system owners.

Toronto Film Inudstry Network is a Facebook group.

Toronto Final Cut Pro Users Group meets monthly, to view informative presentations, showcase work, partake in discussions and generally network with others.

Toronto Animated Image Society offers workshops, seminars, etc.

Toronto Film Industry Meetup Group has over 800 members meeting once a month.

Toronto Filmmakers Club is a new group. Send them an email via their website for more information on meetings etc.

Toronto Indie Short Film Stories movie and network group has over 100 members and meets once a month.

Toronto Screenwriters Network has over 600 members meeting every two weeks or so.

Toronto Short Film Project meets every Wed night at 8pm.

Women In Film & Television Toronto hosts a number of film-related events, seminars, etc.

The Actors Jam is an acting workshop group meeting once a week.

DOC is a very active association for documentary filmmakers in Canada.

Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto offers information and access to equipment for independent filmmakers, as well as hosting a script reading series and other events.

The Gate
Toronto-based online entertainment magazine.

Toronto Film Scene
Online community for Toronto filmmakers.

Word
Toronto's essential one-stop guide to music, urban culture, entertainment and news.


Books & Guides

Documentary Books
Making documentaries with HD video equipment.

Digital Filmmaking
Covering various aspects of low budget production.

Lighting and Greenscreen
For film, video and photography.

Final Cut Studio
Guides to Apple's popular video editing software.

The DVX Book/DVD
By Barry Green.

The HVX Bootcamp DVDs
By Barry Green.

Find more books on filmmaking, screenwriting and acting in Canada here

Rentals

For equipment rentals try ZTV.

Studios for rent try JPC

Media Arts Centres

Charles Street Video
Artist-run centre in Toronto. Great facility, very accessible.

Interaccess
Electronic media arts centre offering offer production facilities and exhibition opportunities.

Mercer Union
Artist-run centre including the Back Gallery equipped with a drop-ceiling for screenings.

Trinity Square Video
Provides access to subsidized video production.

Pleasure Dome
Exhibition collective dedicated to the presentation of experimental film and video.

Film Festivals
Alucine
Filmi
First Take
Giggle Shorts
Hot Docs
Images Festival
Inside Out
Planet In Focus
Reel Asian
ReelWorld Film Festival
Splice This
Toronto After Dark
Toronto Jewish Film Festival