01
Create It
Move the story out of your head and into production with smart, real-world choices.
No Budget • No Excuses • Just Stories That Matter
SHOOT THEDAMN FILM.
A hands-on filmmaking experience for people who are ready to stop waiting, solve the real problems, and get their stories made.
Create It.
Complete It.
Share It.
From Idea to Audience
Making the film is only the beginning.
Shoot The Damn Film helps you move from idea to completed project. Then Now What? helps you face the question every independent filmmaker eventually asks: how do I get people to see it?
02
Complete It
Finish what you started without letting limited resources bury the vision.
03
Share It
Build a thoughtful path to festivals, platforms, partners, and the audience for your work.
The Programs
Make it. Then move it.
Shoot The Damn Film is the foundation. Now What? is the next chapter for filmmakers who have finished—or are close to finishing—and need a path forward.
Shoot The Damn Film
No budget. No excuses. Just stories that matter.
A hands-on filmmaking workshop for storytellers ready to stop waiting. Working filmmakers walk you through every stage, from script and planning to the shoot and the final cut, using smart, real-world choices that fit your budget. Bring your project and your questions, and leave with a plan to get your film made.
- Story development and production planning
- Casting, directing, and performance
- Cinematography, sound, and production value
- Editing and getting the film finished
Now What?
The film is finished. The work is not.
A practical next-step program for filmmakers who need a realistic strategy for helping their completed work find an audience and a future.
- Festivals and distribution strategy
- Licensing, streaming, and alternative exhibition
- Marketing and audience building
- Revenue possibilities and creative partnerships
Upcoming Experience
Shoot The Damn Film this November.
Join us as part of the Fort Smith International Film Festival for our “Shoot The Damn Film” panel discussion and an interactive “Now What?” workshop designed around real projects, real questions, and the decisions independent filmmakers actually face.
Not Another Seminar
You don’t need more theory.
You need experienced filmmakers who will engage with your questions, your obstacles, and your project. The experience is built around conversation, demonstration, collaboration, and useful next steps.
Problem Solving in Real Time
Bring the issues holding your project back and work through them with professionals who make independent films.
Practical applications for your project
See creative and production choices come to life instead of only hearing about them.
Breakouts and case studies
Learn through specific situations, shared experience, and collaborative thinking.
A clearer action plan
Leave with concrete next steps for your project, and why they make sense for your film.
Beyond the Featured Workshop
What Else We Offer
Shoot The Damn Film can be customized for organizations, schools, emerging filmmakers, working creatives, and communities ready to turn ideas into completed projects.
Private Project SessionsIndividual guidance tailored specifically to your film or creative project—its challenges, goals, budget, and next steps.One-Day IntensivesWeekend WorkshopsMulti-Week ProgramsVirtual SessionsSchool & Youth ProgramsHands-On Production Labs
Interested in a private session or bringing a program to your group? Reach out by email at shootthedamnfilm@gmail.com. Email us for a free 15-minute Zoom consultation.
Working Filmmakers
Real experience in the room.
This is real filmmaking from creatives who actually do it—artists and professionals who understand how to keep a project moving when money, time, access, and certainty are limited.
Terrah Bennett Smith
T. B. Smith Productions
Award-Winning Director, Producer, Actor, Writer & Speaker
Liz Ortiz
I Ain't Playin Films
Award-Winning Producer, Casting Director & Educator
Silvia Mathis
Punkin Studios
Award-Winning Producer, Writer, Director & Actor
Additional facilitators and guest professionals may join select workshops and programs.
Damien Hedgecoth
Shoot The Damn Film Specialist
All Things Technical & Editing
Carvin G. Haggins
Shoot The Damn Film Specialist
All Things Music
Register • Host • Partner
Where is your film in the journey?
Ask about the November workshop, bring Shoot The Damn Film to your organization, or learn more about the Now What? program.
Email us for a free 15-minute Zoom consultation.
Unsolicited materials will not be reviewed and may be deleted. Submitting them does not create a confidential, contractual, or business relationship with us.
We may independently develop or work on projects with similar themes, ideas, or subject matter. Submission of unsolicited materials creates no obligation of confidentiality, compensation, or involvement in our projects.