HowToFilmSchool (HTFS) is dedicated to helping filmmakers, film students, and industry professionals sharpen their skills and build sustainable careers in film and television. Founded in 2012, the site focuses on the practical, below-the-line side of filmmaking.
HTFS covers Cinematography, Lighting, Grip, Assistant Directing, Production Assisting, and other essential areas of film and television production. The emphasis is on real-world workflow, career progression, and usable knowledge.
The site is built around insights drawn from years of working in film and television, translating real production environments into clear, actionable guidance. Whether you’re starting out as a Production Assistant, moving into the Grip or Lighting department, or working toward Assistant Directing or Cinematography, HTFS exists to bridge the gap between learning and working.
Leadership & Editorial Direction
Igor Alves is a Cinematographer, Gaffer, and Film Educator with professional experience spanning Independent Film, Television, Commercials, Digital Media, and Post Secondary Education.
His career began in 2007 working in Grip and Lighting while shooting independent, music videos, and short films as a Cinematographer. That early hands-on work across multiple departments shaped a practical, production-focused approach that continues to inform both his on-set work and teaching.
From 2013-2017, Igor worked in Television, contributing to the creation and development of Buy it, Fix It, Sell it (HGTV), Baroness von Sketch Show (CBC) and Backyard Builds (HGTV). After Television Development, he began developing and mentoring digital creators, teaching content creation skills and and fostering the creation of pet brand InRuffCompany, influencer Jackie Todd, and fitness coaching business Next Level Warrior.
Education has been a consistent part of his career. Over the years, Igor has taught Cinematography classes and workshops, including a two-day film class at Dragon Academy, green-screen workshops at Seneca College, and multiple Cinematography workshops through HTFS and local film schools.
From 2022 – 2025, he formally began teaching Cinematography, and Camera & Set Fundamentals at a local post-secondary film school, designing and developing the full curriculum for two government-approved Cinematography Courses.
Contributors
Over the years, HowToFilmSchool has featured contributions from multiple film-industry professionals across a range of disciplines. While early contributors are no longer actively involved in the site, their legacy work remains credited where published.
Current reference material, updates, and evergreen resources may be published under HTFS to reflect institutional authorship rather than individual bylines.
The Mission
HowToFilmSchool exists to become the most practical film-crew education resource online.
The long-term mission is to:
- Demystify how professional film and television sets actually operate
- Provide accessible education for new and working crew
- Preserve practical industry knowledge
- Build tools, guides, and resources that support real careers