Start Shooting From Day 1,
Making Lean, Mean, Shootable Films
Around Your Busy Schedule
We help passionate writer/directors who feel stuck in their 9-to-5,
make simple films that pack a punch in their free time,
with a proven process, 6 targeted film assignments,
in-depth feedback & accountability.
Does this sound like you?
- You wanna shoot more but feel stuck in the 9-to-5 grind
- You chronically get excited about ideas, then fall out of love with them
- Even your simple ideas balloon on you, becoming unshootable
- You lack a clear, reliable process that takes you from idea to shooting
- You don't know what to do to take your filmmaking to the next level
You're not alone...
Let's Get You Shooting
- Start shooting from day 1, without scope creep or feeling overwhelmed
- With a cohort of like-minded filmmakers
- With the accountability of a film competition on a regular basis
- With a proven process for making quality films around a busy schedule
- With quality in-depth feedback, so that you can improve
Get the kick in the ass that you need to make your own films.
Work from our students.
Larry - La Ritual - Shot on iPhone
Hunter - Baggage
Andres - I'm sorry
"We learned a way of telling compelling stories that could be shot in a weekend...I didn't know that was possible."
See what our students have to say 👇🏽
"I’ve made more films in 4 months than I did in the last year and a half—and each one is tangibly better than the last."
— Hunter
"The value that I got out of GTS was tremendously worth and tremendously more what I'd paid for. Each shoot is very clearly better than the last. Just having high-quality shorts out there feels really good."
— Dan
"I've done more in 3 or 4 months than I have in the last 5 years.
I got accepted into Vancouver Film School because of the portfolio of films I created in GTS.
Now I'm currently working on my first feature-length film. I probably wouldn't have done this had I not joined GTS."
— Andres
"I've got so many notes from all the feedback of other people's videos and my videos. It definitely lifted my confidence.
It's really motivating. It's given me that courage to continue doing it"
— Kornyan
How It Works
You're shooting from day 1
You'll get lessons, then you'll apply what you've learned in your first targeted film assignment.
Between each film assignment
You'll get new lessons. The curriculum is A to Z Each lesson helps:
- Close skill gaps
- Prepare you for your next assignment.
After each film assignment
You'll receive in-depth feedback from me and your peers.
Packaging & Releasing your Films
We cover how to get eyes on your work:
- Releasing on YouTube
- Submiting to Film Festivals
"I would say to anyone who's hesitant or considering joining GTS, I would absolutely tell them to do it.
They should look at it is an investment in themselves. What are you doing to make yourself better? I needed the structure. I needed other people to see what they were doing."
— Sean
"If you go in knowing that you're going to show it to some peers who are all doing the same thing as you, then you have this extra thing of looking forward to the feedback."
— Austin
"What was really helpful for me was like it honed in on it like immediately it honed in on what my weaknesses were.
I definitely have some ideas of feature length films. And I think what I'm getting right now is the setup for success by doing these short films."
— Oona
"Having a step-by-step process to all the facets of film making — it eliminates the mental barriers because they're not barriers anymore. They're like little tiny steps or like tick boxes along the along the way when it comes to planning the shoot."
— Ciaran
Here's what the curriculum looks like...
Stage 1 — Get to Shooting
We get you shooting from day one with your first targeted film assignment to uncover your strengths and weaknesses and identify skill gaps.
Before the assignment, we cover the following processes:
- How to shoot for connection
- Testing grammar choices before you shoot.
- Fast, effective lighting
🎦 Followed by film assignment #1
Stage 2 — A Systematic Approach
When you work from the outside in, you take back control of the creative process. We’ll cover my systems for:
- Working outside in
- Consistently getting ideas you can actually shoot
- Properly performing Recon and Research
- Getting into the viewer’s mind in ideation
- Previz — without drawing storyboards or using apps
- Mistakes that cheapen your work
- Finding, scouting, and securing new locations.
- Finding actors—without doing casting calls or auditions.
- Filming yourself
🎦 Followed by film assignment #2
Stage 3 — Closing Skill Gaps
I’ll take you through my proven process for:
- Efficiently closing your skill gaps as you continue making films
- Shooting for emotional impact and story economy
- Cutting for impact and momentum
- Editing for emotion
- Sound recording methods for lean shooting
- Workflows for speeding up post-sound & ADR
- My system for directing actors — especially getting solid performances from non-actors
You'll also get my Production Timeline Tool which walks you through exactly how to make films around busy work schedules.
🎦 Followed by film assignment #3
Stage 4 — Taking it to the Next Level
You'll learn practical workflows that make you more efficient, reduce overwhelm, and improve your execution. We cover systems for:
- Shooting solo or with a few friends
- Tech scouting locations
- Lean, Mean Lighting — a clear, step-by-step process
- Production design & Wardrobe—step by step
- Time-tested story frameworks you should know
I also share lighting recommendations that work for lean, mean shooting.
🎦 Followed by film assignment #3
Stage 5 — Story Development
You’ll learn how to move from loose concepts to clear, shootable stories without scope creep and second-guessing. We'll cover the following systems:
- My Get to shooting Story Development system
- 3-minute character-driven films—step by step
- Simplifying complex stories into shootable films
- Workflows to expedite story development & writing
🎦 Followed by film assignment #3
Stage 6 — Distribution
You'll learn how to get eyeballs on your work. We cover:
- Submitting to festivals—do's and don’ts
- Packaging and releasing your work on YouTube
- my system for making the YouTube algorithm work for you
- Testing and tweaking your packaging
As well as time-wasting traps and packaging mistakes to avoid.
🎦 Followed by your final targeted film assignment
Get started, even if you're using a phone...
Andres - 5am - iphone
Enrollment & Next Steps
GTS is application-based because seats are limited.
01
Submit Your Application
This is a short form to help us understand where you are as a filmmaker, what you're working toward, and what's getting in your way.
02
Discovery Call
We'll talk through your current challenges, your filmmaking goals, and whether GTS is the right fit.
This is a two-way conversation. We're evaluating each other.
03
Decision + Onboarding
If it feels like a good fit on both sides, we’ll invite you into the program and discuss details on how to get started.
If it’s not the right fit, we’ll be honest about that too.
More work.
Ben - Transition Box
Bart - Dirty Dishes
Ben - Def-enci-ve
Brandon - After
A Supportive Community of Filmmakers
You’ll be part of a group of filmmakers who are actively making work, giving thoughtful feedback, and helping each other stay accountable.
More work...
Writing Sucks
Austin - An Apology
Nick - Break(Fast)
Dmitry - Prep
Meet more of our students...
"I got so much more than I was expecting. I feel so much more confident as a storyteller."
— Ben
"I no longer overthink projects. I finally shot my first passion project after 3 years. It got accepted into our local film showcase. People loved it! Tons of laughs, clapping. Man, it was surreal."
— Arman
"This program got me back to why I wanted to make movies in the first place. I got to hone my skill set.
My confidence in my films got a lot better.
I got an understanding of what's really crucial vs what's just nice to have. I also got a deeper understanding of myself and my processes."
— Durham
"I have a system now; one that I can build upon and grow as the films get bigger.
I got the community aspect that I wanted, and the fire to start shooting again...And consistently."
— Nick
"I'm way farther along in creating the things I want to make than I was over the past ten years. Everything is laid out. Follow the steps. Do the work, get the results, take the feedback, and move forward."
— Richard
"In the first week (of taking GTS), I learned probably 100 times more than I did in a whole year of college. Unlike my college portfolio, this portfolio (of GTS projects), I'm looking at it and I'm impressed."
— Bryan
"Once I got into the course and saw the community and got on the calls, I knew I was in the right place. I mean, hands down, it's absolutely worth the money.
Everyone grew fast and it was cool to be able to rise up with a group and feel like oh these are my people and like we're all we're all growing together."
— Daniel
"The step-by-step processes allowed me to not get bogged-down trying to get everything perfect.
This program motivated me to take those steps that I wouldn't take otherwise."
— Michael
"I was able to see my strengths and weaknesses from day one. With every film that I made, I was able to see myself getting better and better and better...Like at an incredible pace. I'm impressed at how fast I was able to progress.
I'm way more confident now."
— AJ
"The program gave me a recharge and more direction on what I'd like to work on.
I wanted a system that allowed me to shoot how I wanted to, but in addition, help me learn along the way. And that's what I got."
— Douglas
More work...
Levi - Doom Scroll
Ciaran - Procrasti
Keith - What they don't know
AJ - What The Duck
By the time you finish this program, you will have shot a portfolio of films.
When was the last time you felt genuine progress?
FAQs
What should I know before applying?
You should know the basics of filmmaking: how to edit, proper camera settings, how to record audio, how to upload your film to Youtube or Vimeo.
How many films will we be making in the program?
By the end of the program you will have made 6. But many students have made above and beyond that number.
Do I need to buy any gear?
No. We'll get you shooting where you are with what you have.
Can I find everything you're teaching in this program on your YouTube channel?
No. What I cover on my channel is just the tip of the iceberg.
Is this program just a series of film prompts?
We're showing you a complete system that will allow you to work smarter not harder in every step of the filmmaking process.
Each assignment you receive is a targeted film assignment geared towards allowing you to practice and apply what you're learning in the curriculum each week.
What if I don' t have any ideas for short films? Can and should I still join?
Absolutely. You don't need to have ideas or scripts written to join.
Part of the process is us showing you a better system for ideation that makes coming up with stories shootable and ideas much easier.
Are you giving us scripts to shoot?
No. You'll be developing your own stories for each assignment using our system.
I'm a complete beginner. Can I apply?
We recommend that you've tried making at least 1 narrative short film before joining – otherwise the learning curve can be too steep.
What happens if I fall behind in the program?
Life happens. We've had students drop for weeks at a time because of emergencies. They had no problems getting plugged right back in and picking up where they left off.
How long is the program?
3-6 months. You can complete the curriculum in 3 months but it may take you some time to complete all the film assignments.
Why should I choose the Get To Shooting Program?
If you're feeling stuck, this program was designed specifically for you! It's here to get you explosive growth in the shortest amount of time. The goal is to get you shooting, producing impactful projects with minimal resources that can be done around your busy schedule.
How much of a time commitment will this program be?
We recommend a minimum of 2-3 hours per week for the curriculum portion. Live calls are generally about an hour long (not mandatory)
You'll also need to set aside some time for shooting your film assignments.
How long does it take to do each film assignment?
The first two assignments can be done in a day or two. You could knock each one out over a weekend.
The assignments grow in difficulty as you advance through the program. Later assignments may take you up to 3 weeks to complete.
We know you have a busy schedule. You can't stop everything else in your life to do film full time - that would defeat the purpose.
These assignments were designed with your busy schedule in mind. They're designed to STRETCH you NOT STRESS YOU!
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