Morten Forland
@mortenforland.bsky.social
Film and TV Director | I help indie directors level up their craft with my weekly newsletter where I share actionable ideas and systems | 15+ years industry experience | DM me for ghostwriting questions 👻
One of the strangest things about working in Hollywood post-production?
You’re in the middle of a giant machine—and you’re still just one piece.
On a recent show, I was part of a five-person VFX team.
Just on the editing side.
You’re in the middle of a giant machine—and you’re still just one piece.
On a recent show, I was part of a five-person VFX team.
Just on the editing side.
October 3, 2025 at 2:57 PM
One of the strangest things about working in Hollywood post-production?
You’re in the middle of a giant machine—and you’re still just one piece.
On a recent show, I was part of a five-person VFX team.
Just on the editing side.
You’re in the middle of a giant machine—and you’re still just one piece.
On a recent show, I was part of a five-person VFX team.
Just on the editing side.
The Secret to Confident Directing: POV
It took me a decade to grasp this fundamental concept in filmmaking, but once I did, it changed everything.
It took me a decade to grasp this fundamental concept in filmmaking, but once I did, it changed everything.
October 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The Secret to Confident Directing: POV
It took me a decade to grasp this fundamental concept in filmmaking, but once I did, it changed everything.
It took me a decade to grasp this fundamental concept in filmmaking, but once I did, it changed everything.
Distributors are gatekeepers.
YouTube gives filmmakers a rare thing: complete control.
No gatekeepers. No asking for permission. No watered-down pitches.
But with that freedom comes responsibility.
You need to:
YouTube gives filmmakers a rare thing: complete control.
No gatekeepers. No asking for permission. No watered-down pitches.
But with that freedom comes responsibility.
You need to:
September 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Distributors are gatekeepers.
YouTube gives filmmakers a rare thing: complete control.
No gatekeepers. No asking for permission. No watered-down pitches.
But with that freedom comes responsibility.
You need to:
YouTube gives filmmakers a rare thing: complete control.
No gatekeepers. No asking for permission. No watered-down pitches.
But with that freedom comes responsibility.
You need to:
The One Investment Every Indie Filmmaker Should Make
It’s not camera gear.
It’s not festival submissions.
It’s not a PR team.
The #1 investment every indie filmmaker should make? A good entertainment lawyer.
You might think you don’t need one. Until you do.
It’s not camera gear.
It’s not festival submissions.
It’s not a PR team.
The #1 investment every indie filmmaker should make? A good entertainment lawyer.
You might think you don’t need one. Until you do.
September 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The One Investment Every Indie Filmmaker Should Make
It’s not camera gear.
It’s not festival submissions.
It’s not a PR team.
The #1 investment every indie filmmaker should make? A good entertainment lawyer.
You might think you don’t need one. Until you do.
It’s not camera gear.
It’s not festival submissions.
It’s not a PR team.
The #1 investment every indie filmmaker should make? A good entertainment lawyer.
You might think you don’t need one. Until you do.
Want to be a better director?
Start watching films like a filmmaker.
Most people watch movies for entertainment.
Filmmakers watch movies for education.
Here’s how to study films effectively:
Start watching films like a filmmaker.
Most people watch movies for entertainment.
Filmmakers watch movies for education.
Here’s how to study films effectively:
September 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Want to be a better director?
Start watching films like a filmmaker.
Most people watch movies for entertainment.
Filmmakers watch movies for education.
Here’s how to study films effectively:
Start watching films like a filmmaker.
Most people watch movies for entertainment.
Filmmakers watch movies for education.
Here’s how to study films effectively:
You might think the hardest part of filmmaking is getting it made.
And you’d be right, except...
The realization you have when your film hits the real world.
Then comes the real challenge: getting people to care.
I made that mistake with Wild Boys.
And you’d be right, except...
The realization you have when your film hits the real world.
Then comes the real challenge: getting people to care.
I made that mistake with Wild Boys.
September 11, 2025 at 2:58 PM
You might think the hardest part of filmmaking is getting it made.
And you’d be right, except...
The realization you have when your film hits the real world.
Then comes the real challenge: getting people to care.
I made that mistake with Wild Boys.
And you’d be right, except...
The realization you have when your film hits the real world.
Then comes the real challenge: getting people to care.
I made that mistake with Wild Boys.
Let’s be real for a second.
Most of us say we’re not directing our next film because of:
• Money
• Gear
• Time
• Connections
But if you peel back the layers…
That’s not the real reason.
The real villain is fear.
Fear of making something bad.
Most of us say we’re not directing our next film because of:
• Money
• Gear
• Time
• Connections
But if you peel back the layers…
That’s not the real reason.
The real villain is fear.
Fear of making something bad.
September 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Let’s be real for a second.
Most of us say we’re not directing our next film because of:
• Money
• Gear
• Time
• Connections
But if you peel back the layers…
That’s not the real reason.
The real villain is fear.
Fear of making something bad.
Most of us say we’re not directing our next film because of:
• Money
• Gear
• Time
• Connections
But if you peel back the layers…
That’s not the real reason.
The real villain is fear.
Fear of making something bad.
Do strangers want to watch your movie?
You should definitely find out before you spend years making your film. You can.
You should definitely find out before you spend years making your film. You can.
September 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Do strangers want to watch your movie?
You should definitely find out before you spend years making your film. You can.
You should definitely find out before you spend years making your film. You can.
The Hardest Lesson I Learned Releasing My First Feature
When we released Wild Boys, we had no marketing plan.
No budget.
No strategy.
No idea who would even want to see the film.
And here’s what I learned the hard way:
“Make it and they will come” is a myth.
When we released Wild Boys, we had no marketing plan.
No budget.
No strategy.
No idea who would even want to see the film.
And here’s what I learned the hard way:
“Make it and they will come” is a myth.
August 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The Hardest Lesson I Learned Releasing My First Feature
When we released Wild Boys, we had no marketing plan.
No budget.
No strategy.
No idea who would even want to see the film.
And here’s what I learned the hard way:
“Make it and they will come” is a myth.
When we released Wild Boys, we had no marketing plan.
No budget.
No strategy.
No idea who would even want to see the film.
And here’s what I learned the hard way:
“Make it and they will come” is a myth.
AVOD, TVOD, SVOD—WTF?
When we were preparing to release Wild Boys I was lost.
It felt like the people around me were speaking a different language.
When we were preparing to release Wild Boys I was lost.
It felt like the people around me were speaking a different language.
August 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
AVOD, TVOD, SVOD—WTF?
When we were preparing to release Wild Boys I was lost.
It felt like the people around me were speaking a different language.
When we were preparing to release Wild Boys I was lost.
It felt like the people around me were speaking a different language.
Why 82 Festival Selections Didn't Move the Needle on My Career
When my student film Total Awesome Viking Power got accepted into over 80 festivals…
I thought I’d made it.
I pictured industry execs lining up to offer me my first feature.
Agents sliding into my inbox.
When my student film Total Awesome Viking Power got accepted into over 80 festivals…
I thought I’d made it.
I pictured industry execs lining up to offer me my first feature.
Agents sliding into my inbox.
August 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Why 82 Festival Selections Didn't Move the Needle on My Career
When my student film Total Awesome Viking Power got accepted into over 80 festivals…
I thought I’d made it.
I pictured industry execs lining up to offer me my first feature.
Agents sliding into my inbox.
When my student film Total Awesome Viking Power got accepted into over 80 festivals…
I thought I’d made it.
I pictured industry execs lining up to offer me my first feature.
Agents sliding into my inbox.
Directors think of sound design as something that happens after the film is shot.
But the truth is, sound design starts in the edit.
Here’s how to think about it:
Phase 1: Sound Editing (What sounds do we need?)
• Is every line of dialogue clear?
But the truth is, sound design starts in the edit.
Here’s how to think about it:
Phase 1: Sound Editing (What sounds do we need?)
• Is every line of dialogue clear?
July 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Directors think of sound design as something that happens after the film is shot.
But the truth is, sound design starts in the edit.
Here’s how to think about it:
Phase 1: Sound Editing (What sounds do we need?)
• Is every line of dialogue clear?
But the truth is, sound design starts in the edit.
Here’s how to think about it:
Phase 1: Sound Editing (What sounds do we need?)
• Is every line of dialogue clear?
Scaling Your Directing Career—The Denis Villeneuve Approach
After Incendies got nominated for an Oscar, Denis Villeneuve had big studio offers thrown at him.
Instead of jumping at the biggest paycheck, he took a calculated step:
He directed Prisoners.
After Incendies got nominated for an Oscar, Denis Villeneuve had big studio offers thrown at him.
Instead of jumping at the biggest paycheck, he took a calculated step:
He directed Prisoners.
July 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Scaling Your Directing Career—The Denis Villeneuve Approach
After Incendies got nominated for an Oscar, Denis Villeneuve had big studio offers thrown at him.
Instead of jumping at the biggest paycheck, he took a calculated step:
He directed Prisoners.
After Incendies got nominated for an Oscar, Denis Villeneuve had big studio offers thrown at him.
Instead of jumping at the biggest paycheck, he took a calculated step:
He directed Prisoners.
Most filmmakers think distribution works like this:
🎬 Get into a great festival
✍️ Sign a deal with a distributor
📣 Sit back while they release your film
💰 Wait for the check to roll in
Here’s what actually happened with Wild Boys:
🎬 Get into a great festival
✍️ Sign a deal with a distributor
📣 Sit back while they release your film
💰 Wait for the check to roll in
Here’s what actually happened with Wild Boys:
July 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Most filmmakers think distribution works like this:
🎬 Get into a great festival
✍️ Sign a deal with a distributor
📣 Sit back while they release your film
💰 Wait for the check to roll in
Here’s what actually happened with Wild Boys:
🎬 Get into a great festival
✍️ Sign a deal with a distributor
📣 Sit back while they release your film
💰 Wait for the check to roll in
Here’s what actually happened with Wild Boys:
Attending a film festival?
Here’s how to make the most of it.
When my student film got into over 80 festivals, I was thrilled.
But I quickly realized that simply getting in wasn’t enough.
The real value came from attending and engaging.
Here’s what I learned:
Here’s how to make the most of it.
When my student film got into over 80 festivals, I was thrilled.
But I quickly realized that simply getting in wasn’t enough.
The real value came from attending and engaging.
Here’s what I learned:
July 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Attending a film festival?
Here’s how to make the most of it.
When my student film got into over 80 festivals, I was thrilled.
But I quickly realized that simply getting in wasn’t enough.
The real value came from attending and engaging.
Here’s what I learned:
Here’s how to make the most of it.
When my student film got into over 80 festivals, I was thrilled.
But I quickly realized that simply getting in wasn’t enough.
The real value came from attending and engaging.
Here’s what I learned:
An original score might be more achievable than you think.
We got a complete original score for Wild Boys without blowing our budget.
We got a complete original score for Wild Boys without blowing our budget.
July 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
An original score might be more achievable than you think.
We got a complete original score for Wild Boys without blowing our budget.
We got a complete original score for Wild Boys without blowing our budget.
Release Windows Aren’t Dead They’re Just Different
Remember when you had to wait 6 months for a movie to go from theaters to DVD?
Those days are gone.
Now a film can hit theaters and streaming in the same weekend.
Remember when you had to wait 6 months for a movie to go from theaters to DVD?
Those days are gone.
Now a film can hit theaters and streaming in the same weekend.
July 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Release Windows Aren’t Dead They’re Just Different
Remember when you had to wait 6 months for a movie to go from theaters to DVD?
Those days are gone.
Now a film can hit theaters and streaming in the same weekend.
Remember when you had to wait 6 months for a movie to go from theaters to DVD?
Those days are gone.
Now a film can hit theaters and streaming in the same weekend.
How We Made "Wild Boys" Look Fast & Furious
(On an Indie Budget)
When you're making an indie film, there's a moment of panic when you realize your script calls for an action sequence but your budget calls for... well, creativity.
(On an Indie Budget)
When you're making an indie film, there's a moment of panic when you realize your script calls for an action sequence but your budget calls for... well, creativity.
July 9, 2025 at 3:03 PM
How We Made "Wild Boys" Look Fast & Furious
(On an Indie Budget)
When you're making an indie film, there's a moment of panic when you realize your script calls for an action sequence but your budget calls for... well, creativity.
(On an Indie Budget)
When you're making an indie film, there's a moment of panic when you realize your script calls for an action sequence but your budget calls for... well, creativity.
Most films begin as a love story.
You fall in love with an idea, a moment, a character. And from that love, a film is born.
But just because you love the idea… doesn’t mean anyone else will.
You fall in love with an idea, a moment, a character. And from that love, a film is born.
But just because you love the idea… doesn’t mean anyone else will.
July 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Most films begin as a love story.
You fall in love with an idea, a moment, a character. And from that love, a film is born.
But just because you love the idea… doesn’t mean anyone else will.
You fall in love with an idea, a moment, a character. And from that love, a film is born.
But just because you love the idea… doesn’t mean anyone else will.
Here’s a weird one:
When I finished my student film Total Awesome Viking Power, our goal wasn’t to get into a ton of festivals.
Our goal was to get rejected by 100.
That’s right. We wanted rejections.
Why?
When I finished my student film Total Awesome Viking Power, our goal wasn’t to get into a ton of festivals.
Our goal was to get rejected by 100.
That’s right. We wanted rejections.
Why?
July 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Here’s a weird one:
When I finished my student film Total Awesome Viking Power, our goal wasn’t to get into a ton of festivals.
Our goal was to get rejected by 100.
That’s right. We wanted rejections.
Why?
When I finished my student film Total Awesome Viking Power, our goal wasn’t to get into a ton of festivals.
Our goal was to get rejected by 100.
That’s right. We wanted rejections.
Why?
Sometimes the best way to fix a scene isn’t to add, it’s to subtract.
Here’s what I mean:
• Cut the Fluff: Remove lines or moments that don’t serve the story. If it doesn’t move the plot or deepen the character, it’s expendable.
Here’s what I mean:
• Cut the Fluff: Remove lines or moments that don’t serve the story. If it doesn’t move the plot or deepen the character, it’s expendable.
July 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Sometimes the best way to fix a scene isn’t to add, it’s to subtract.
Here’s what I mean:
• Cut the Fluff: Remove lines or moments that don’t serve the story. If it doesn’t move the plot or deepen the character, it’s expendable.
Here’s what I mean:
• Cut the Fluff: Remove lines or moments that don’t serve the story. If it doesn’t move the plot or deepen the character, it’s expendable.
Are you sending generic cold outreach messages to people on LinkedIn?
If so, stop. They’re not working. Let me tell you why:
Let’s face it, networking can be awkward.
If so, stop. They’re not working. Let me tell you why:
Let’s face it, networking can be awkward.
July 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Are you sending generic cold outreach messages to people on LinkedIn?
If so, stop. They’re not working. Let me tell you why:
Let’s face it, networking can be awkward.
If so, stop. They’re not working. Let me tell you why:
Let’s face it, networking can be awkward.
Constraints aren't creativity's enemy. They're your secret filmmaking superpower.
This is how the 80/20 rule helped me make a feature on an ultra-low budget.
As filmmakers, we often view constraints as the enemy of creativity.
This is how the 80/20 rule helped me make a feature on an ultra-low budget.
As filmmakers, we often view constraints as the enemy of creativity.
July 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Constraints aren't creativity's enemy. They're your secret filmmaking superpower.
This is how the 80/20 rule helped me make a feature on an ultra-low budget.
As filmmakers, we often view constraints as the enemy of creativity.
This is how the 80/20 rule helped me make a feature on an ultra-low budget.
As filmmakers, we often view constraints as the enemy of creativity.
For the last few weeks I’ve been digging deep on everything related to indie film distribution.
One resource has been invaluable in the process:
The Distribution Playbook from Seed&Spark & Kinema: thedistributionplaybook.notion.site/
One resource has been invaluable in the process:
The Distribution Playbook from Seed&Spark & Kinema: thedistributionplaybook.notion.site/
The Distribution Playbook | Notion
Brought to you by:
thedistributionplaybook.notion.site
July 1, 2025 at 2:57 PM
For the last few weeks I’ve been digging deep on everything related to indie film distribution.
One resource has been invaluable in the process:
The Distribution Playbook from Seed&Spark & Kinema: thedistributionplaybook.notion.site/
One resource has been invaluable in the process:
The Distribution Playbook from Seed&Spark & Kinema: thedistributionplaybook.notion.site/
Want to direct action movies?
Try this:
Start with stunts.
I work in post on big studio features and TV shows. The people I see break into directing action films often take a similar path:
• Start as a stunt performer or coordinator.
Try this:
Start with stunts.
I work in post on big studio features and TV shows. The people I see break into directing action films often take a similar path:
• Start as a stunt performer or coordinator.
June 30, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Want to direct action movies?
Try this:
Start with stunts.
I work in post on big studio features and TV shows. The people I see break into directing action films often take a similar path:
• Start as a stunt performer or coordinator.
Try this:
Start with stunts.
I work in post on big studio features and TV shows. The people I see break into directing action films often take a similar path:
• Start as a stunt performer or coordinator.