At Howcast, we like to do our spring cleaning a tad early. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and tidied up our editing guidelines for the Emerging Filmmakers Program. We’ve consolidated some of the graphics files and revamped the editing techniques. What does this mean for you? Simply put, things are gonna be a whole lot easier! The changes in the guidelines will help you edit more quickly, get through the revision process faster, and produce more spots for Howcast, making it easier for you to earn that extra cash. (And just in-time for the holiday season. How ’bout that?!) Check out the new guidelines, and if you have any questions, shoot Heather an e-mail at emergingfilmmakers@howcast.com. As the saying goes, change is good. Now wouldn’t you agree?

P.S.- We thought we’d also let you know that we’re currently in the process of uploading about 200 fresh titles for you to choose from. The good news just keeps on comin’!

You probably know by now that Howcast makes how-to videos the world actually wants to watch. What you might not know is that many of these stellar videos are produced by film students, recent grads, and web-video superstars in the Emerging Filmmakers Program at Howcast Studios. I’m Heather, the new manager of the program, and I’m working on spreading the news.

The Emerging Filmmakers Program just “had some work done,” as they say in certain circles. There’s a whole new site, howcastfilmmakers.com, an easier, streamlined application, and a new name. When Howcast launched, the program was dubbed the Directors Program. Emerging Filmmakers Program does a much better job of summing up what it’s all about: offering up-and-coming filmmakers the chance to build their production, creative, and entrepreneurial chops.

Howcast provides all the elements filmmakers need—ready-to-shoot scripts, prerecorded voiceovers, animated graphics, and royalty-free music tracks—freeing them up to focus on the fun stuff. After I graduated from film school, I spent a few months temping (i.e. creating mail merges), but I would have killed for a chance to pull out all the stops for a real-world client like Howcast.

From How to Crash a Party to How to Shuck an Oyster, Howcast has hundreds of topics to inspire; and we encourage filmmakers to get creative, define their style, and experiment with new techniques.

Take a look at one of my recent, not to mention timely, favorites: How to Avoid the Freshman 15 from filmmaker Nick Stovall. Nick has been experimenting with HD animation. This is his first and he’s got two more about to go live. They just keep getting better! (Interesting factoid: When he’s not making videos, Nick is the Jungle Cruise boat skipper at Disney World.)

Stay tuned. You’ll be hearing a lot more from me. I have no plans to shut up about the videos these talented filmmakers produce and the exciting new developments of the Emerging Filmmakers Program.

Are you Howcast’s next Emerging Filmmaker? Visit us and apply today.

Cheers,
Heather
Check me out on Howcast or drop me a line at emergingfilmmakers@howcast.com.

We just flipped the switch on the 100th video made by a director in Howcast Studios’ Emerging Filmmakers Program. 100 videos made means thousands of people have enjoyed and learned something from these filmmakers’ work! The 100th video is funny, creative, and has some neat editing tricks up its sleeves. Well, videos don’t have sleeves, but filmmakers do, and Damon Zwicker, the proud director behind the 100th spot, How To Make A Cowboy Costume, has got some tricks up his. Damon is a television producer and director who has worked on shows for NBC, The Discovery Channel, VH-1, and TLC. He also obviously knows a thing or two about birds. Check out his second Howcast spot, How To Clip a Bird’s Nails.

While you’re at it, congratulate Damon! Subscribe! Vote!

One last thing: Just so you know, when I say thousands of viewers have enjoyed videos by our emerging filmmakers, I really mean hundreds of thousands. More than 1,5 million folks have already watched How To Kiss With Passion video shot by one of our most prolific members, Michael Sanchez.

Be our next emerging filmmaker star. Join Us Today. hhttp://www.howcast.com/network/directors/step1