One of the best (and free!) ways you can improve your skills as a filmmaker is by watching other filmmaker tutorials on YouTube. We’ve all likely watched a ton of these DIY videos and noticed that, more often than not, they are made by male filmmakers.
The thing is, ever since filmmaking was invented, women have always been at the forefront. In fact, Alice Guy-Blaché, one of the first female filmmakers, made her film "La Fée aux Choux" in 1896 and is considered to be a true pioneer of narrative fiction film by industry insiders.
From Alice Guy-Blaché to Kathryn Bigelow, female filmmakers have continuously brought a fresh and innovative perspective to the art of filmmaking. So wouldn't it be cool to learn their tricks? Absolutely!
That's why I’ve compiled this list of the five most creative and informative female filmmakers (in my opinion!) on YouTube that everyone should check out. These women post great content about filmmaking, while inspiring others to push boundaries and get creative. And they, without a doubt, deserve our recognition.
1. Atola Visuals
Tech and creative inspiration collide as Kitty, of Atola Visuals, reviews the latest cameras and keeps you creating with fun quarantine content on her long-running channel. You're sure to pick up a new skill - or a new piece of equipment - after watching (you've been warned!).
2. Iz Harris
Like Atola Visuals, Iz is famous for her creative storytelling and cinematic approach to travel vlog videos. Her approachable and honest style has evolved over time to include more lifestyle content, but no matter which video you push 'play' on, her personality and insights will motivate you to pick up your own camera and shoot something yourself.
3. Becki
Becki creates all of her content with her husband Chris, hence her channel name: "Becki and Chris." Together, this high-flying duo takes to the skies in pursuit of amazing aerial shots, share their color-grading know-how, and give viewers a peek into their lives as young creatives in weekly vlogs.
4. Lizzie Peirce
Lizzie's got a little something for everyone - from tutorials on how to handle your camera to no-nonsense advice on how to handle your production budget. Her never-ending creativity and expertise is evident throughout her channel, and her library is chock-full of concrete advice no matter where you are in your career.
5. Lucy Martin
With an emphasis on photography and photo editing in Lightroom, Lucy is the creator to turn to if you need expert advice on mastering your camera or color grading. Her talents, however, aren’t limited to photography, making her a great resource for filmmaking tips, as well.
Have a favorite YouTube channel we should all be watching? Tell us about it in the comments!
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Note From Tongal: "Female Filmmakers to Watch on YouTube" is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here and then Pitch us a topic you'd like to write about for the Tongal Blog!
