Weekly content · Feedback · Live sessions
| 35mm | IMAX | |
| Full access to our constantly growing library of courses | ||
| Community of creators to grow with | ||
| Access to resources from our content and short films | ||
| Access to our AI integration research | ||
| Free consultation call with an industry professional | ||
| "Artist of the month" award | ||
| Direct access to industry professionals | ||
| Monthly live follow-along workshops | — | |
| Personal video feedback on all assignments and projects | — | |
| Monthly 1-on-1 call with an industry professional | — | |
| No obligation, cancel anytime |
worked with
If you're using AI as a filmmaker, there's one basic rule: it has to be useful.
The tech overlords aren't interested in useful. They're creating tech demos that produce beautiful shots and trick people into thinking filmmakers are getting replaced.
AI can amplify a creative skillset. But it can't replace it.
Through our tutorials, templates and tools, we get under the hood of the most powerful AI models and force them to follow the will of the filmmaker so you can use AI the way a director directs on set. Whether AI is part of your journey or not, we're with you all the way.
You are not short of tutorials.
You are short of direction.
YouTube will keep you watching forever. We are here to get you to delivery. Real professionals guiding you from first frame to finished short film.
Every wipe you see is a deliberate creative decision. The camera was set. The shot was directed. AI was the brush, not the painter.
AI slop is what happens when the tool leads. A directed shot is what happens when you do. The plate footage you see was planned, lit, and framed intentionally. Everything AI touched was your instruction, executed.
The camera doesn't replace the director. Neither does AI.
You choose what changes and what stays. The grade, the sky, the atmosphere, the creature that wasn't on set. Every element is a decision you make the same way you would on any production, just with a vastly expanded toolkit.
You don't need a top-of-the-line machine to make great work. Our tools and techniques are designed to run smoothly on everyday hardware. That said, here's what we recommend:
- 16GB RAM
- Quad-core processor
- GPU with 6GB VRAM
- 256GB SSD storage
- 32GB RAM
- 8-core processor
- GPU with 8GB+ VRAM
- 512GB SSD storage
- Stylus tablet
Our techniques focus on optimisation. You can create professional work even on modest hardware.
We aim to use free and accessible software wherever possible so that cost is never a barrier. The skills you build are transferrable to any professional tool. We focus on using the right tool for the right job.
DaVinci Resolve / Fusion (Free version supported)
- Node-based compositing
- Professional colour grading
- Motion graphics and effects
- Built-in tracking tools
- Comprehensive finishing tools
Blender (Free)
- Full 3D asset creation
- Character animation
- Particle systems
- Hair and fur
- Camera and object tracking
Yes. 7 days for $1 with complete access to everything on the platform.
We guide you through each day with a special onboarding sequence designed to get you creating professional-level work quickly. By the end of your first week, you'll have made multiple shots, received expert feedback, and have a clear path forward.
Cancel anytime during the trial.
Everyone. Whether you've just figured out how to turn your computer on or you're already comfortable with filmmaking and looking to level up.
Complete beginner? Perfect. We start with the fundamentals and build systematically.
Already know some filmmaking? Even better. You'll fill knowledge gaps, learn professional workflows, and discover techniques that would take years to figure out on your own.
The only requirement: You need to be committed to actually creating, not just consuming. We're here for makers, not watchers.
Sure. Maybe. YouTube is amazing — we use it all the time and create content for it ourselves.
But here's the problem: Filmmaking is so complex that YouTube sends you down endless rabbit holes. One minute you're watching rotoscoping, the next you're learning how to animate a horse. Hours gone, no real progress.
Shoot First is for you if:
- You want a clear, proven path instead of wandering aimlessly
- You don't have time to hunt for the right tutorial among thousands
- You want instruction from people actively working on major films
- You want professional feedback on your actual work
- You prefer making actual progress over just consuming content
Shoot First might not be for you if:
- You enjoy browsing without needing to create anything
- You have unlimited time to sort through random tutorials
- You're happy learning in circles
The bottom line: Use YouTube as a supplement, just like we do. But if you want structured progress with professional guidance, that's what we're here for.
7-day trial for $1, then $10/month — no contracts, cancel anytime.
What's included:
- All our systems and weekly new content
- Professional feedback on your work
- A 1-on-1 strategy call
- Live workshops
- Discord community access
- All source files and project assets
Put it in perspective: A single consultation with a professional normally costs more than half a year of Shoot First. You're getting systematic training, weekly content, and direct access to working professionals for less than you spend on coffee.
Each month you'll get a new block of content focusing on another area of filmmaking, with a practical exercise to complete if you want to internalise the lessons. If you have any questions or issues, the Shoot First team are always available.
In addition to the monthly content, you'll have access to our regularly updated library, including bonus videos breaking down VFX shots in the latest films, invitations to live Q&A sessions, and a weekly newsletter written personally with lessons from close to 20 years of VFX experience.
Our team are active VFX professionals working on everything from indie passion projects to Hollywood blockbusters, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Man of Steel, Captain America, and V for Vendetta.
Recent projects include Dr Who (BBC/Disney+), Half Bad: The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself (Netflix), and Mammals (Amazon).
Here's the key difference: We don't just work on other people's projects — we create our own content specifically to share the real techniques, workflows, and source files with students. You're not just learning from working professionals, you're working alongside us.
Honest answer: It takes years to master the complexities of filmmaking and VFX. Even our team is constantly learning and growing.
But here's the thing: You'll be creating actual shots and getting real results on your first day. Instead of drowning you in theory, we get you making professional-looking work immediately, then gradually build your understanding of why it works.
Think of it like this: You can drive a car effectively after a few lessons, but becoming a racing driver takes years. We get you driving quickly, then help you become the racing driver over time.
The journey never really ends — that's what makes filmmaking exciting. But with Shoot First, you'll see meaningful progress within days, not months.