Make the
films you
can't stop imagining.
worked with
Create Alongside Us
| 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 |
Remain
cutting edge.
One rule: AI has to be useful. Not impressive. Not viral. Useful.
AI tools are built to impress. Filmmakers are getting replaced in the narrative before they even pick up a camera.
We force AI to follow the filmmaker. Your vision, your direction. The same way you work on set.
You don't need
more tutorials.
You need direction.
YouTube will keep you watching forever. We are here to get you to delivery. Real professionals guiding you from first frame to finished film.
Not a playlist. A production pipeline, the same way working professionals actually approach a project.
Submit your shots. Hear back from people who have worked at Netflix, Disney, and Marvel not just YouTube creators.
Not pre-recorded answers. Live access to directors and VFX artists who do this for a living.
Your vision.
Not slop.
Every wipe you see is a deliberate 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 was planned, lit, and framed. Everything AI touched was your instruction, executed.
You choose what changes and what stays. The grade, the sky, the atmosphere. Every element is a decision you make the same way you would on any production.
Christian has spent over 20 years making films professionally, from major studio productions like V for Vendetta and Harry Potter to his own independent work. Frustrated by the inefficiency and creative limitations of the Hollywood system, he founded Screenclay, working with Netflix, Disney and Amazon, and developed his own approach to filmmaking from the ground up.
That approach became the foundation of Shoot First. The Shoot First team is a group of working filmmakers, constantly making films, testing techniques, and refining what actually works on set. Everything taught on Shoot First comes directly from that practice.
If the subscription fee is a barrier to your learning journey, reach out to us and we will give you free access.
Our training is available to every committed artist, regardless of their financial situation.
Not only do we ensure our subscription is as affordable as possible, we also offer a money-back guarantee within the first 30 days.
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.