At HowToFilmSchool, transparency matters. The filmmaking world is already full of hype, misinformation, and people pushing gear they’ve never actually used. This page explains exactly how affiliate links, product reviews, and brand relationships work on this site so you know what influences our recommendations — and what doesn’t.
Why We Use Affiliate Links
Running HTFS takes time, hosting, software, and a frankly ridiculous amount of coffee. Affiliate links help support the work behind the free guides, course materials, tools, and resources you find here.
When you click an affiliate link on this site and make a purchase, the retailer may pay us a small commission. This comes at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate income allows us to:
- Keep the site online and growing
- Release high-quality free content (guides, templates, dictionary entries, LearnPress courses)
- Test gear and tools that matter to students and working crew
- Avoid paywalls or “members-only” gimmicks
Our Review Standards
We don’t recommend gear we wouldn’t hand to a student or trust on a real set.
Our reviews and breakdowns are based on:
- Real on-set use
- Hands-on testing
- Industry experience
- Comparison with competing tools
- Practical value for grips, electric, ACs, DPs, and other crew
If something is garbage, we say so. If something is overpriced, we say so. If something is a hidden gem, we highlight it.
We never accept payment in exchange for a positive review. Compensation doesn’t buy influence here — it buys our time to actually test the thing and tell you the truth.
Sponsored Products & Samples
Occasionally we receive products from brands to test. That does not guarantee a review, and it definitely doesn’t guarantee a positive one.
If a post includes a product provided by a brand, we disclose it clearly.
Everything written is still our own opinion and based on real-world evaluation.
How Affiliate Links Are Used on HTFS
Affiliate links may appear in:
- Gear reviews
- “Best of” roundups
- Tool recommendations
- Department guides
- Blog posts
- Free Film School
You’ll usually see them as simple text links, not giant “BUY NOW” buttons. We try to keep them as unobtrusive and relevant as possible.
Do Affiliate Commissions Affect Our Opinions?
No.
Affiliate income does not influence:
- What products we recommend
- How we rate them
- Whether we include them at all
- The tone or outcome of a review
If a product isn’t worth your money, we won’t promote it — even if the commission on it would be great.
The priority is your career, not our affiliate dashboard.
Your Trust Comes First
HTFS exists to make filmmaking clearer, easier, and more accessible — especially for people starting out or transitioning into below-the-line crew roles. Integrity is everything here.
If you ever feel a review is unclear or want deeper testing notes, reach out. We’d rather explain our reasoning than leave you unsure about a recommendation.
Questions?
If you want more detail about how affiliate links work on this site or have questions about a specific product review, you can contact us anytime.