HowToFilmSchool · Established 2012
Practical filmmaking knowledge from the crew side of the industry.
HowToFilmSchool (HTFS) helps filmmakers, film students and working crew understand how film and television productions actually run. Founded in 2012, the site focuses on the practical, below-the-line side of filmmaking.
We cover cinematography, camera, lighting, grip, assistant directing, production assisting and other essential areas of film and television production. The emphasis is on real-world workflows, career progression and useful knowledge.
The material draws on years of working in film and television. Whether you’re starting as a production assistant, moving into grip or lighting, or working toward assistant directing or cinematography, HTFS aims to bridge the gap between learning and working.
Founder and editor
Founder & editor
Igor Alves is a cinematographer, gaffer and film educator with experience across independent film, television, commercials, digital media and post-secondary education.
His career began in 2007 in grip and lighting, alongside shooting independent films, music videos and short films as a cinematographer. Working across departments early in his career shaped the practical, production-focused approach that continues to inform his on-set work and teaching.
Television development2012–2017
Through the CMPA Screen-based Media Production Program, he contributed to the development of Buy It, Fix It, Sell It (HGTV), Baroness von Sketch Show (CBC) and Backyard Builds (HGTV).
Digital creators and mentoring
After television development, he mentored digital creators and taught content creation skills, helping develop projects including pet brand InRuffCompany, influencer Jackie Todd and fitness coaching business Next Level Warrior.
Teaching and curriculum
Education has been a consistent part of his career. His teaching includes cinematography classes and workshops, a two-day film class at Dragon Academy, green-screen workshops at Seneca College and cinematography workshops through HTFS and local film schools.
From 2022 to 2025, he taught cinematography and Camera & Set Fundamentals at a local post-secondary film school, designing the full curriculum for two government-approved cinematography courses. He is a SEDA Recognized Teacher.
Contributors and credits
Over the years, HowToFilmSchool has featured contributions from film-industry professionals across a range of disciplines. Earlier contributors are no longer actively involved, but their published work remains credited where it originally appeared.
New and updated reference material may appear under the HTFS byline when it represents the site rather than an individual writer.
What HTFS is for
HowToFilmSchool aims to be a practical film-crew education resource for people starting out and those already working in the industry.
- Explain how professional film and television sets operate.
- Provide accessible education for new and working crew.
- Preserve practical industry knowledge.
- Build tools, guides and resources that support real careers.