Best Filmmaking Blogs: A Look Behind the Scenes

It seems ever since the first camera rolled, people have been interested in the movie business. And Hollywood has responded, with your average DVD containing behind-the-scenes special features that half the time are more fun than the movie. With the advent of the blogosphere, it’s easy for anyone, big or small, to get in on the fun and blog about making movies on a personal level. Here, then, is a primer on the best filmmaking blogs out there, whether it’s from established Hollywood talent or just a guy with a camera and a dream.

NP2K – http://www.np2k.com
Far more than a blog, but the filmmaking sections of the popular forums regularly host journals specific to whatever new productions the local moviemakers are coming up with, with casting updates and sneak-peek photos and everything you’ve come to expect from projects with actual publicists. Delivered, in true indie-film fashion, with warmth, humor and copious profanity. Hosted by independent feature director Chad Peter.

My Boring-Ass Life – http://www.silentbobspeaks.com
Filmmaker Kevin Smith has never shied away from personalizing content, and his dedication to letting his fans into his life is noteworthy. Includes video, photos, the entire making-of story of “Clerks II” and several shameless plugs for merchandise, all with Smith’s famed sense of humor working overtime. This is the kind of blog that contains a behind-the-scenes look at shooting the pictures for movie posters with heartfelt stories of a friend’s drug addiction and random photos from around the house.

Avid Community Blogs – http://www.avid.com/community/blogs
In between making post-production solutions, Avid found some folks to blog about what they get up to. Student filmmakers, interns, aspiring video directors, sound engineers, the whole gamut weighing in, some more frequently than others.

Peter Jackson’s Production Diary – http://www.kongisking.net/kong2005/proddiary
More budget probably went into this video weblog than in some of the actual movies other filmmaking blogs document, but regardless, this gives you a great look at the day-to-day process behind making one of the biggest movies of 2005.

FilmDailies.com – http://www.filmdailies.com
An aspiring filmmaker discusses what he’s learning about the craft. Most notable for several comprehensive posts on all the latest on HD digital video cameras.

Self-Reliant Filmmaking – http://www.selfreliantfilm.com
A weblog “to talk about and to encourage the practice of making high-quality films at a low-cost and/or with small-labor systems.” More informational than personal, links to articles and facts come about every couple of days, occasionally with a quote from Emerson to spice things up.

“Thank You For Smoking” Director’s Blog – http://thankyouforsmoking.typepad.com
Follow director Jason Reitman around during that strange nebulous time for an independent feature-festivals, limited release, promotion, all that jazz.

From the small-time blogger thinking big to the movie moguls, from movies that are in the can to little sparks of imagination, this gives you an introduction to filmmaking blogs to learn the craft alongside others. Happy shooting!