Recommended Tutorials

These channels and websites have been recommended by faculty, students, and alumni. More tutorials and online courses can also be found on the main Resources Page


Lynda.com
These LinkedIn tutorials would normally only be available to paying subscribers, but UNCA has an arranged contract for all registered students, so take advantage of having access to a huge collection of free professional tutorials
http://www.lynda.com/nmhpexp2


W3 Schools
W3 Schools has a ton of information and references for coding html and other programming languages
http://www.w3schools.com/


Codecademy
Codecademy offers a more interactive step-by-step quiz method of learning to code, as opposed to W3 Schools serving more as a quick reference guide.
http://stackoverflow.com/


Stack Overflow
This is a network of forums devoted to programmers of all types
http://stackoverflow.com/


Tuts+
This is a tutorial site covering an array of digital subjects, but web coding seems to be the main emphasis
http://tutsplus.com/


Phlearn
Aaron Nace and his team create some decent Photoshop tutorials
https://www.youtube.com/user/PhlearnLLC


Becky Kinkead
A graphic designer who has some pro tips about working with clients and developing strong brand identity
https://www.youtube.com/user/beckykinkead


Karen Kavett
This former RISD student has a habit of cutting her videos so it looks like she teleports all over the place, but her graphic design tips and colorful DIY tutorials are pretty fun and informative.
https://www.youtube.com/user/xperpetualmotion


Howard Pinsky
Howard Pinsky has a bunch of tutorials for Photoshop and Lightroom
https://www.youtube.com/user/IceflowStudios


Matt Borchert
This guy does a lot with masking and typography
https://www.youtube.com/user/ovenrude



David Szauder

Glitchet
This comprehensive website covers a bunch of different methods used to create glitches
http://www.glitchet.com/resources


Isometric Obsession
How to make low poly portraits in Photoshop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uQBiWYOfB0


Every Frame a Painting
Although these aren't necessarily tutorials, every video by Tony Zhou offers an insightful analysis of film theory and stylistic techniques
https://www.youtube.com/user/everyframeapainting


KaptainKristian
KaptainKristian specializes in video essays on animation and cartoon subject matter
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuPgdqQKpq4T4zeqmTelnFg


Channel Criswell
Lewis Bond was recently sued over certain audio in his Stanley Kubrick analysis video, which is a shame because all his video essays are clearly fair use and his channel is one of the few good ones that does intellectual film analysis on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL5kBJmBUVFLYBDiSiK1VDw


No Film School
Why go to expensive film school when you can learn everything you need to know online for free? This site has tons of tips for independent filmmakers.
http://nofilmschool.com/


RocketJump Film School
Cinema theory is covered along with basic equipment use in a series of informative YouTube videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/RJFilmSchool


Filmmaker IQ
Filmmaker IQ goes into a lot of detail concerning the processes and technology behind a video shoot, and draws from historical cinema examples
https://www.youtube.com/user/FilmmakerIQcom


Film Riot
These guys focus on DIY filmmaking techniques. The shameless advertising and humor can be hit or miss, but the tips are pretty good overall.
https://www.youtube.com/user/filmriot


Indy Mogul
This series was discotinued due to lack of funding, but there are still about 1,200 videos online. Although they lean more towards producing just-for-fun video projects made with friends than the type of films you would submit to a festival, there's some good stuff to be learned
https://www.youtube.com/user/indymogul


D4Darious
Darious Britt is an independent filmmaker who provides tips and tutorials to all the people who may never get the chance to make a Hollywood blockbuster, but who continue making films because they love it. The Truth about Filmmaking and Top Mistakes Beginner Filmmakers Make are must-watch videos for any aspiring directors and filmmakers
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYaIdC5pbkpECxXLjf0Lzaw


Academy Originals
The Creative Spark series focuses on short interviews with leading directors and production team members
https://www.youtube.com/user/AcademyOriginals


Casey Neistat
Casey Neistat got his big break from vloging and now runs a studio and show on HBO with his brothers. Although he does do a lot of planning and editing, his best work seems to rely on an unorthodox approach of just walking around everywhere with a camera and capturing spontaneous reactions. He also has a habit of wearing big sunglasses everywhere.
https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat


Film Scout
New Media alumni Alex Ray provides some useful video tips and creative advice
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRKpK2Okn_Xe8fbG6YtVBCQO-_kh5zntN


Feng Zhu Design School
These videos offer a very in-depth look into concept art, digital painting, and background painting
https://www.youtube.com/user/FZDSCHOOL


Digital Tutors
Pluralsight's Digital Tutors was once generally accepted as the go-to resource for animators, though now there are so many online schools and digital websites offering high-quality videos for free, the subscription-based service seems to be facing tough competition
http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/index.phphttp://www.digitaltutors.com/11/index.php


3D Total
Some people prefer 3D Total tutorials over Digital Tutors. 3D Total does have the advantage of having its own magazine and a collection of CG artwork for inspiration on the website.
http://www.3dtotal.com/tutorials/


Mike Hermes
Mike Hermes specializes primarily in rendering. His tutorials will teach you how to make renders look more professional
https://www.youtube.com/user/MikeHermes65


James Taylor
Modeling tutorials for Maya and Mudbox, primarily focusing on the human form and UV mapping
https://www.youtube.com/user/MethodJTV


Judd Simantov
Judd Simantov is well-known in the gaming industry for specializing in rigging. His credentials include being the co-founder of Game Character Academy and former Naughty Dog Lead Character Technical Director
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myZcUvU8YWc


Sycra
Figure drawing tutorials and encouraging advice for artists
https://www.youtube.com/user/Sycra


Will Terrell
Tips for drawing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tX7y9mu-lM


Mark Crilley
Mark Crilley specializes in anime tutorials, and has authored several books on the subject. His side by side comparisons of Disney character vs. Anime proportions are kind of unique
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpVllBWymcM


StopmoNick
Nicholas Hilligoss offers some really good tips for making stop-motion armatures on a budget. Many of his shorts are tributes to Ray Harryhausen's style of stop-motion animation
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCno-YPZ8BiLrN0Wbl8qICFA