Today the Emerging Filmmakers Program kicks off a semester’s worth of digital filmmaking tips and tricks with YouTube. After three years working with filmmakers from all over the world, we’ve learned quite a bit about their concerns surrounding online filmmaking. What’s the best way to export for the web? What’s a codec? What are other filmmakers doing to build an online community of viewers and collaborators? And where are trusted sources for information?

Starting today and wrapping up on December 17, we’ll be answering these questions and more on YouTube in a Modern 101 for Emerging Digital Filmmakers. Every Friday you’ll find a new post on YouTube’s blog. Through case studies, interviews, and curated lists we’ll be talking about the sites every filmmaker should be aware of; how filmmakers are making great web video cheaply; how you can distribute and promote your work on the web; who you should be following on Twitter; and more. And, we’ll be taking your questions, so ask away!

Today: Embracing exploration — filmmakers on the web. Next up: breakfast with Howcast filmmakers — a video mashup of our filmmakers sharing their take on web video.

Let’s get digital!

-Heather M., Director, Filmmaker Program