Take the Leap: Make Your Debut Feature Film
Transform your passion for filmmaking into reality by learning how to plan, produce, and complete your first feature film. This course is your all-in-one guide to launching your career with confidence and creativity.
Why This Course?
✔️ Expert Guidance: Learn directly from Canyon Prince, a seasoned filmmaker who’s been in your shoes and knows the unique challenges of making a first feature.
✔️ Comprehensive Curriculum: From crafting a compelling script to finding funding, managing a set, and marketing your film, this course covers every stage of the journey.
✔️ Practical, Step-by-Step Learning: Forget vague advice—this course gives you actionable plans and industry secrets to ensure your success.
✔️ Proven Strategies: Build confidence with proven techniques for budgeting, casting, directing, and distribution, tailored specifically for first-time filmmakers.
Meet Your Instructor
Canyon Prince is a filmmaker, producer, and industry veteran who has worked on over 80 films and TV series. His debut feature was the launching pad for his prolific career, and now he’s sharing the strategies, lessons, and insights that helped him break into the industry.
Whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach, Canyon’s guidance will set you on the path to success.
Pre-Production Planning
Master the foundational elements of a successful feature, including budgeting, scheduling, and finding funding.
Script Development
Learn how to refine your screenplay to make it both compelling and achievable on your budget.
Assembling Your Team
Discover how to hire the right cast and crew, even if you’re working with limited resources.
On-Set Success
Learn the ins and outs of directing, troubleshooting, and staying on schedule during production.
Post-Production & Distribution
From editing to securing distribution deals, finish your film strong and get it in front of an audience.
Future Proof Your Career
Learn where the industry is headed and make sure you have the tools necessary to embrace the technological revoultion!
Curriculum
- Scheduling & Budgeting: Know Your Time, Know Your Cash (5:40)
- Back Into the Budget: Building from Your Target Number (5:01)
- The Fastest Way to Save Money in Pre-Production (1:45)
- The Art of Negotiating... Everything (13:07)
- DOWNLOAD: Sample Movie Magic Budget
- DOWNLOAD: Sample Excel Budget
- DOWNLOAD: Sample Drawdown Schedule
- What Is a Script Clearance Report—and Why It Can Save Your Butt (4:16)
- DOWNLOAD: Sample Script Clearance Report
- DOWNLOAD: Sample Crew Contract & Deal Memo
- Kill the "Passion Project" Pitch — Lead with Purpose and Energy (2:01)
- Your Film Crew: The Departments You Need (1:47)
- Above the Line vs. Below the Line: Understanding Your Core Creative Costs (4:40)
- Building Your Production Powerhouse: The Essential Team to Get Rolling (14:28)
- Finding Your Stars: Building Your Casting Department (1:17)
- Action! Building Your Stunt Department for Safety and Impact (5:06)
- Crafting Your World: Building a Killer Art Department (6:06)
- Making it Real (On Set): Your Special Effects Department (1:06)
- Lights, Camera, Beauty! Your Hair and Makeup Department (4:20)
- Dressing the Part: Your Essential Wardrobe Department (3:45)
- Power and Precision: Building Your Grip and Electric Department (2:56)
- Capturing the Vision: Building Your Essential Camera Department (5:25)
- Sound is King: Why Your On-Set Sound Person is Non-Negotiable (4:45)
- Getting There: Navigating the Transportation Department (1:14)
- Finding Your Stage: Navigating the Locations Department (4:59)
- Capturing the Buzz: Your Unit Publicity Department (1:43)
- The Final Polish: Your Essential Post-Production Departments (5:04)
- Your Essential Film Crew: Setting Up for a Smooth and Headache-Free Shoot (1:01)
- Crew Up: Find Your Film Family (7:49)
- Creating a Lookbook and Previsualization: Sell Your Vision (3:42)
- DOWNLOAD: Sample Lookbook
- See It To Believe It: Shot Lists That Get It Done (7:39)
- Pre-Visualizing Your Vision: Unleashing the Power of Unreal Engine (18:28)
- Director's Commentary Intro (2:12)
- HARD SUN - Director's Commentary (94:42)
- Embracing the Misses: Failure Ain't Fatal (11:24)
- Your Directing DNA: Tech Wiz or Actor Whisperer? (3:36)
- Frame It Right: Understanding Aspect Ratios and Lenses for a Cinematic Look (4:05)
- Sensor Size & Squeeze: Lens Magic Explained (3:08)
- The Power of the Lens: Exploring Focal Lengths and Their Cinematic Impact (7:27)
- Shot Sizes & Angles: Your Visual Storytelling Arsenal (8:47)
- Don't Cross the Line: The 180-Degree Rule (11:02)
- Group Scenes? No Sweat: 180-Degree Advanced Tips (6:27)
- The Secret to Cinematic Lighting: Smart Side vs. Dumb Side (11:44)
- Master Outdoor Lighting: The Secret's in the Shadows (8:10)
- The Four Pillars of Cinematic Lighting: Mastering Portrait Styles (14:21)
- Shaping Light with Bounces and Shadows with Negative Fill (8:53)
- Lighting with Intention: The Power of Motivated Light (12:32)
- BONUS: Practical Lighting Demonstration (5:33)
- Editing Software: Pick Your Post-Production Poison (3:20)
- VFX: Blow Minds, Not Budgets (9:00)
- Color Grading: Make Your Film Sing (2:47)
- Film Emulation Magic: Transforming Your Digital Footage with Dehancer (64:46)
- QC Reports: What They Are and Why They Matter (3:20)
- DOWNLOAD: Sample QC (Quality Control) Report
- Post-Production Blues: How to Survive the Silence (5:29)
- Introduction to Virtual Production (5:00)
- SNEAK PEAK: Google Gemini Advanced is WILD (3:13)
- The Industry Is Changing — And That’s a Good Thing (9:56)
- The AI Revolution: Your Superpower in the Future of Film (3:56)
- Virtual Production in Action: "The Mech Touch" Workflow Breakdown (22:44)
- Level Up: Virtual Production and AI Mastery Awaits (1:57)
- Understanding the Modern Film Festival Landscape (21:16)
- DCP Demystified: Your Film's Ticket to the Big Screen (8:20)
- Distribution Deals: Know Your Worth, Protect Your Film (18:59)
- DOWNLOAD: Sample Distribution Contract
- The Contract Isn't the Finish Line: The Ongoing Battle of Enforcement (2:57)
- Film Markets: Network Like a Ninja (3:27)
- AFM Hacking: Party Your Way to Success (2:54)
- Free Publicity: Press Releases That Get Seen (4:00)
- EPK: Your Film's All-Star Resume (4:59)
- DOWNLOAD: Press Release Template
- DOWNLOAD: EPK Template
- Social Media Domination: Hype Your Film Like a Boss (1:18)
- Get Noticed: The Power of Reviews and Exclusive First Looks (4:41)
- Cast & Crew Screening: Celebrate Good Times (9:36)
