The Ultimate Directory of Filmmaking Resources

The Ultimate Directory of Filmmaking Resources, Software, Tools, and Websites.

This list is a work-in-progress.

STOCK FOOTAGE & IMAGES

LIGHT LEAKS, OPTICAL LENS FLARES & BOKEHS:

FREE:

PAID:

FILM TEXTURES FOR VIDEO + PHOTO

FREE FILM EFFECTS & FILM TEXTURES:

PAID FILM EFFECTS & FILM TEXTURES:

      LUTS / LOOKS / COLOR

      FREE

      PAID

      HUD ELEMENTS

      FREE

      PAID

      INK FLOWS

      FREE

      PAID

      PARTICLES / DUST

      FREE

      PAID

      FOG / SMOKE OVERLAYS

      FREE

      PAID

      VHS TEXTURE + VHS EFFECTS: 

      FREE

      PAID

        3D SOFTWARE & 3D APPLICATIONS:

        • Maxon Cinema 4D: Cinema 4D is the perfect package for all 3D artists who want to achieve breathtaking results fast and hassle-free.
        • RedShift 3D - A Render Engine - A GPU-accelerated renderer compatible with Maya, 3DS Max, C4D, Houdini, and Katana. 
        • Maxon C4D News
        • Maxon C4D Blog
        • Foundry: Creating pioneering software for creative industries. 
        • Nuke: A node-based compositing, editorial and cloud based review workflow by Foundry.
        • Katana - Lighting and look development.
        • SideFX:
        • Houdini: Houdini is a node-based workflow for visual effects artists (vfx artists) and technical directors with its particle and dynamics environment.
        • Unity: Real-time 3D development platform for CG content creators developing short, episodic, and feature-length stories.
        • Unity Blog:
        • Otoy:
        • Octane Render: Real-time 3D rendering. The industry’s first and fastest unbiased, physically accurate GPU accelerated renderer.
        • Unreal Engine: A state-of-the-art real-time engine and editor that features photorealistic rendering, dynamic physics and effects, lifelike animation, robust data translation, and more.
        • Blender: An open source 3D creation suite. You can handle modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, video editing and 2D animation within the software.
        • Autodesk: Autodesk is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, media, and entertainment industries. 
        • Maya: 3D computer animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software.
        • 3DS Max: 3D modeling and rendering software for design visualization, games, and animation.
        • Flame - 3D visual effects (VFX), finishing, and color grading software.  
        • AutoCAD 3D Software: Software for 2D and 3D CAD design.
        • Substance 3D - A software by Adobe for applying 3D materials. 
        • Ecosystem & Plugins - 
        • Dassault - A company of 3D modeling, simulation, social, and collaborative applications for engineering and design teams.
        • Solidworks - An easy-to-use 3D design software that trains and supports engineering and design teams.
        • CATIA - A 3D CAD design and engineering software for products.
        • Sketchup: 3D software for Architecture Layouts & Designs

        3D MODEL MARKETPLACES & 3D LIBRARIES

        • Turbosquid: Search the world’s best collection of 3D models for professionals.
        • PixelSquid: If you’re a 2D artist looking to easily work with 3D files, this is an amazing resource to begin dipping your toes in the 3D water.
        • Kitbash 3D - Premium 3D assets for VFX, concept art and design.
        • GrabCAD:
        • GrabCAD Resources:
        • GrabCAD Blog:
        • Cgtrader: 3D model marketplace for VR / AR, CG projects, and professional 3D designer community. Download 3D models and find 3D designers for your needs. 
        • 3D Export: 3D Export is one of the largest online marketplaces you can buy and sell 3D models, textures, plugins, and digital prints for CG projects. 3D Models, Free 3D Models, AR / VR, 3D Print Models, 3D Tutorials, CG Textures, HDRI.
        • Quixel - Makers of Megascans, Bridge and Mixer - a unique 3D asset library and two companion applications for 3D art, video games, movies, architecture visualization and more.
        • Sketchfab - One of the largest platforms to publish and find 3D models for web, mobile, VR, and AR.
        • 3D Warehouse:
        • Adobe’s Mixamo - Animate 3D characters for games, film, and more. 3D Character animation. Export and compatibility with Unity, UE, Octane Render. 
        • Thingiverse - A design community for discovering, making and sharing 3D printable things. 
        • Tinkercad - An easy-to-use 3D CAD design tool. Quickly turn your idea into a CAD model for 3D.
        • MyMiniFactory - A community for designers and makers who want to share free or paid 3D printable designs. 3D Printing.
        • Daz 3D - Free 3D software suite for modeling & rendering realistic characters, clothes, and scenes. 

        VISUAL EFFECTS (VFX) & MOTION GRAPHICS:

        • Adobe After Effects - The standard in post production software for motion graphics in both 2D and 3D. Much of the below software and plugins integrate seamlessly within After Effects.
        • Toolfarm - Toolfarm is the leading reseller of After Effects Plugins. They are a one-stop shot for the best professional visual effects, motion graphics, and plugins.
        • ActionVFX - Some of the best stock footage for visual effects available.
        • VFX Central - A great collection of vfx elements; lens flares, explosions, dust, smoke, fire, embers, storm, and fireworks.
        • RedGiant - Red Giant creates video effects, motion graphics tools and VFX software to enrich the community of filmmakers and motion designers.
        • Red Giant Products:
        • Red Giant Complete - With Red Giant Complete you’ll get access to all of their tools from each of their 5 product suites below.
        • Trapcode Suite - Particle System generator. Trapcode Suite brings the power of 3D particle systems right into After Effects. Use particle emitters to create fire, water, smoke, snow and other organic visual effects, or create technological marvels and user interfaces with immortal particle grids and 3D forms.
        • Magic Bullet Suite - A set of color correction plugins for color correction, finishing and film looks.
        • Universe -Universe is a set of video transition and effects plugins for editors and motion graphic artists. Stylize your footage with authentic retro looks, glows, text animations, and more. 
        • VFX Suite - VFX Suite is a set of plugins for keying, tracking, cleanup, and visual effects compositing, right inside of After Effects. It makes it easy to create seamless composites and gives you tools for fast, accurate motion tracking and object replacement / removal. They have wonderful glows, distortions and lens flares.
        • Shooter Suite - Audio / Visual sync & backup from set to post with confidence. Shooter Suite gives you the fastest, most accurate A/V sync available, rock solid camera card backups, and additional tools for working with older formats.
        • Pluraleyes  - Accurate & Automatic audio / video sync in seconds. No clapboards or timecode are needed.
        • Video Copilot - High quality after effects plugins and tutorials for motion graphics and visual effects.
        • Video Copilot Products: An amazingly unique line of after effects plugins, 3D packs, stock fx, bundles, and creative tools.
        • BorisFX - 
        • Mocha AE - Mocha Pro is the world’s most recognized and powerful planar tracking tool for VFX and post production. Compatible with Premiere Pro, After Effects, Avid, and OFX hosts such as Flame, Nuke, Fusion, HitFilm, and VEGAS Pro. Mocha Pro features GPU-accelerated tracking and object removal, advanced masking with edge-snapping, stabilization, lens calibration, 3D camera solver, stereo 360/VR support, and more.
        • Continuum 
        • Sapphire 
        • Silhouette 
        • Blackmagic Design 
        • DaVinci Resolve - The world’s only solution that combines professional 8K editing, color correction, and visual effects and audio post production all in one.
        • Fusion - The world’s most advanced compositing software for broadcast visual effects, 3D animators, VR / AR, and motion graphics designers.
        • FXHome - 
        • FXHome Blog - 
        • HitFilm Pro - Hitfilm Pro is an editing, compositing, & vfx software all rolled into one. 
        • Ignite Pro - 
        • Imerge Pro - 
        • RE:Vision Effects - Academy award-winning plugins for visual effects.
        • RE:Vision Effects Products - 
        • Twixtor & RSMB -
        • RE: Lens - 
        • DEFlicker - 
        • Zaxwerks 3D Software - Zaxwerks makes award winning, easy to use 3D software for 3D titles, 3D logos, 3D animations and 3D flags that are used for broadcast, television, and entertainment industry.
        • Zaxwerks Products - 
        • 3Dar - An award winning virtual reality, film and animation studio specializing in content creation, 3D animation, live action and post production for the advertisement and film industry.
        • Animation, Film / VFX, VR/AR, Experiential
        • Frischluft Lenscare - Lenscare moves depth of field and out of focus generation to post production.
        • Fnord - SuperPNG and j2k, Photoshop and After Effects plug-ins for writing 16-bit PNG and JPEG2000 files. ProEXR for full access to OpenEXR.
        • ProEXR - OpenEXR is the visual effects industry-standard floating point file format and the best format to use when working with 32-bit HDR imagery. Access all the capabilities of OpenEXR from within adobe photoshop, after effects, and premiere pro using ProEXR.
        • Jawset - 
        • AEenhancers - 
        • Motion Script - 

        YOUTUBE CHANNELS FOR FILMMAKERS: 

        • Film Riot: Film Riot is a how-to trip through filmmaking. From how-to make great effects, through production. Serves as an on-demand filmmaking school.
        • Video Copilot - Perhaps the best motion graphics tutorials / how-to youtube channel.
        • StudioBinder: Is a production management solution that helps video and photo productions create call sheets, shot lists, shooting schedules, breakdown, storyboards, mood-boards and more.
        • No Film Schools - A channel for all things filmmaking; tutorials, interviews, gear reviews, etc.
        • Filmmaker IQ - Delivers a broad range of beginner and basic filmmaking techniques.
        • Indie Film Hustle - Indie Film Hustle is dedicated to showing you how to hack the film business. Discussions on cinematography, interviews with Academy Award / Oscar nominees, post production, filmmaking, training courses, etc...it’s a great channel dedicated to give you the unvarnished truth of what it takes to survive and thrive in the film business.
        • PremiumBeat by Shutterstock - PremiumBeat’s youtube channel is dedicated to offering you compelling and helpful tutorials on video editing, video production, motion graphics, and more. From beginners to professionals, their goal is to help you grow your creative skills. 
        • Philip Bloom - Channel of director and filmmaker Philip Bloom.
        • Peter McKinnon - teaches low budget hacks about photography, cinematography, and post production.
        • Media Division - This channel is dedicated to tutorials, gear reviews, tips and tricks for filmmakers.
        • Indy Mogul - A trio of filmmakers who seek to decode the struggles of modern filmmaking, gear and how to learn about the skills and experiences of influential creatives all around the world.
        • James Matthews - Tips, tricks and tutorials for filmmakers.
        • Wolfcrow - Learn cinematography, camera angels, camera movement and film lighting. Custom guides and recommended gear coverage.
        • YCImaging - Vlogs, musics videos, tutorials, equipment tests, and filmmaking tips.
        • DSLRGuide - Learn filmmaking, cinematography, audio, sound design, editing, and pre-production tips.
        • DSLR Video Shooter - covers gear reviews and tutorials for making better videos.
        • Tom Antos - a great channel for gear advice, camera, audio, etc..from beginner to expert - it covers a large array of filmmaking information.
        • D4Darious - Darious shares tips on filmmaking, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and producing.
        • Cinematography Database - Tips, tricks, tutorials, and gear reviews. 
        • Josh Olufemii - Post-production tutorials, tips and tricks.
        • Aputure - A channel dedicated to lighting tips.
        • Final Cut King - Editing tips and tricks with cool effects in final cut pro. 
        • The Slanted Lens - This channel brings you filmmaking and photography tutorials on lighting, gear reviews, video production, special effects and more.
        • Hulburt Academy - an interactive library of professional online educational filmmaking lessons and course led by renowned cinematographer Shane Hurlbut ASC.
        • Dave Dugdale - A fantastic channel for filmmaking and gear lovers.
        • Deity Microphones - Free sound and filmmaking tutorials.
        • Cooke Optics TV - Interviews with some of the world’s renowned cinematographers, who share their advice and behind the scenes stories of their careers.
        • Matti Haapoja - A channel dedicated to the filmmaking process.
        • Potato Jet - A library of camera reviews and gear reviews.
        • Shutterstock Tutorials - this channel is dedicated to providing tips, tricks, and tutorials for all types of creatives. From filmmaking and lighting to photography and graphic design. 
        • Gerald Undone - A channel of tech support and finding the best gear for the dollar.
        • Grip Tips - Tips and how-to’s on lighting.
        • Neumann Films - A channel of filmmaking tutorials.
        • Kaiman Wong - A great channel of tutorials and product reviews.
        • The Film Look - DIY and micro-budget tricks and tips on how to make your film achieve the heavenly “film look”.
        • Cinecom - Editing tutorials, camera tips, lighting techniques and cinematography lessons.  
        • Frame.io - this channel is a great for all things video and editing, as it’s run by a video collaboration and review platform.
        • Justin Odisho - A fantastic channel for editing and post-production tips, tricks and tutorials in premiere pro and after effects.
        • The VFXBro - A great channel for VFX tutorials.
        • Kaptainkristian - this channel provides video essays about animation, visual effects, comics, and filmmaking.
        • Sonduck Films - Motion graphic and filmmaking tutorials.
        • Rocketstock - a filmmaking channel with after effects templates for video editors and filmmakers.
        • This Guy Edits - A channel dedicated to editing specifically; providing by creative and technical editing techniques.
        • Film Freak - A channel of tutorials, vlogs, editing tips, DIY tricks, and much more.
        • The Basic Filmmaker - A great channel of tutorials and product reviews.

         

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