Three POWER Principles of Filmmaking
In this video I discuss the three POWER principles that lead me to make thousands of dollars doing what I do.
Some of these principles I learned from an amazing book titled Good to Great by Jim Collins, who in my opinion is the modern day Napoleon Hill.
For those of you who don’t know who Napoleon Hill is, he’s the author of the famous book Think and Grow Rich which is a result of over 20 years of study and research of the mentalities and characteristics of the waelthy and successful, including the likes of Andrew Carnegie. — Now if you don’t know who Andrew Carnegie is, then you need to brush up on your American History.
Jim Collins spent over 10 years research the top companies, what made them great and how they got there. Companies that had a period of average performance followed by great performance that beat the market 3x over, and sustained that for atleast 15 years. Only 11 companies made the cut.
I highly recommend that you buy this book, and read it! — – and now…the feature presentation:
Your Takeaways from the video. Take action now! Don’t be “ordinatory” Leechon to the extraordinary! I want you to do two things:
- First – I want you to post a comment telling me what resources you have available to you. — Take inventory of yourself. – As I asked in the video. What equipment do you have? Cameras? Digi-cameras? Writing? acting? Debating, etc. How old if your computer? Is it a Mac or PC? What editing programs do you have (if any)?
- Second – Run the hedgehog concept on yourself. Write down on a piece of paper the things you have a passion for, and the approaches you are comfortable with. See which ones you potentially can be the best at. Those you can be the best at, think of creative ways to monetize it. — – An exercise can be, for the next 10 days, every day think of three ways you can derive economic benefit from those things. In the end you will have 30 items to choose from.
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Category: Public
Salam aleykum Belal,
Mashallah a beautiful and much-needed web educational-resource and network for the Ummah! May Allah grant you more!
Inshallah, my dream is succeed in creating powerful and moving films that express and show people, inshallah, the beauty of Islam, as it exists today around the world. I have been making films and videos for several years now, though I have recently realized the direction that I’d like to take this in (I received recent success with my short doc “Abdallah of Mile-End”, which won the Audience Award on Radio Canada’s Digital Diversity contest- it’s on my website). I want to have a production company that specializes in Islamic content for film and the web, as an educational and an artistic tool. As someone who has come to Islam, I realize that tonnes of Western people would love the faith, if it were only presented to them in the right cultural/ contemporary context. Inshallah, humbly, we can make an intention to help.
My interest lies in not only documentary, but also fiction, music videos, for the cinema and for the web.
I am equipped with an HDV camera, a mac computer, Final Cut;
I’ve studied at film school for the last couple of years;
I’ve had experience with many professional filmmakers;
I am experienced and knowledgeable in almost every aspect of filmmaking, from pre-production Research, scriptwriting, grant-writing, through produtcion (camera , sound, directing, lighting, etc) through to editing & post-production.
What I really need some more insight into is how to get content out on the web in a successful manner to as many people as possible, and how, inshallah, such an effort can generate real returns (both in terms of public interest and in terms of some financial opportunities).
I am very excited and open to any suggestions you have.
May Allah bless such endeavors and guide us right. Shukur
Brother Belal, this is a wonderful service you are offering the ummah; may Allah ta’ala grant you success upon success in this life and in the hereafter, amin. To respond:
Equipment & programs -> HP Pavillion w/Windows XP bought in 2006, includes muvee Autoproducer 4.5, Windows Movie Maker, Powerpoint (didn’t know that could help, but saw comment above), media center & HP image zone (don’t know how helpful those are);
Kodak EasyShare C340 w/video capability;
Nokia cellphone w/video capability.
Personal inventory -> Performer: former traditional dance and drumming performer with limited theatrical acting.
Communicator: writing/editing (non-scriptwriting); debating; a few public speaking venues (dawah); have given tours & dawah to masjid visitors;
Educator: mother of three, Islamic weekend school (elementary) teacher; homeschooler
On to hedgehog brainstorming, jak ~ H
Salam Brother, I just wanna say I’m excited for this, it’s a great idea! and a great opportunity. I appreciate that you are spending your time and energy to help the inexperienced improve.
You asked what sort of things do I have to work with….
I am I decent writer I suppose, and with the right inspirations I can spurt out all kinds of ideas. I consider myself an artist, but after attending an indie film fest recently, I have become very interested in the art of film making as well. I’m intrigued by the idea that so much emotion and meaning (and motivation) can be invoked by a short 10 min. presentation if it’s done right.
Well, I have a good digital camera and i know well how to use it, and put videos on the computer.
I also have a pretty ordinary sony video camera….except I have almost no idea how to use it. My skills in using that camera are literally limited to pressing the record button, zooming, and play-back on the camera itself.
I have windows XP with the usuals that come with. I’ve played around in Windows movie maker but I know there are probably many secrets in the program I’ll never be able to unlock by simply “playing around”.
So if you could take these things into consideration I’d be eternally grateful. I’m eager to take action!!
Bismillah…
Equipment:
a)Digi-cams, and one professional camera
(that I will inshaallah learn to use)
b)Abilities: I can write, alhamdulillah, almost anything (except notes to a song) if I have my heart into it
I can do speeches, alhamdulillah and debates….
d)Computer: As far, alhamdulillah We have PC and is up-to-date, Currently we use Windows XP
e)Programs: Windows Movie Maker, MS Picture Manager 2007, we’re inshaallah purchasing ULead products
Passions:
Writing essays, poems, stories (takes very long). scripts
Painting, artwork
Making MVs (music videos)
Staging a play (either directing and/or writing)
INTERESTS:
Film-making for the sake of Islam
*Best approach for me…
In a film I believe inshaallah a very good impact is something that is anybody can relate to, yet has a sense of…a calling to think and meditate on the subject…inshaallah influencing their lives for the better.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Jazakh allahu khairan!
Assalamualaikum..
How thankful we should be as many still willing to struggle and help this beautiful religon.
I dont have many resources,but i do have:
- a computer in my room
-software like windows movie maker,wavepad and others(software 4 saound and music)
-maybe someday i ll get a laptop (i dont have it now coz my father said i m still young..hehe)
-i dont have many knowledge on filmmaking but i do have friends that i believe that they could help me in this project.
I m interested in clearing misconception about islam and revealling the beauty of islam,especially of what it teaches.There are many ways to explain this,such as religion camparison,science,history and many more.I m trying to find something that is really effective to do this.Well,i can talk and add some sence of humour to make it interesting,or maybr creatae a story to relate with the topic i m telling,and a skill of filmmaking would help me very much,and i hope to learn it.I m still studying in matriculation level (yup,still young),but that doesn’t mean that i cant do something big like this,coz its a long term target,and hopefully you could help me.
As Salamu Alaikum Brother.
Firstly, I want to thank you for the useful information you’re sharing, jazak Allah khair.
Secondly, I’m passionate about drawing, I draw islamic paintings and calligraphy. The question is how can I take this to a further step and a means of da’wah? I’ve been thinking of launching a website to make an online exibition of all my drawings and paintings, but have no clue on how to get a website done, take photos of my drawings to place online and so on…
Thirdly, I’m auditioning to become a presenter on an islamic channel and part of the audition is to make a 5 min video of myself presenting any topic. I have my mobile video camera and I found a very suitable location in my uni and asked my sister to record me. Do you have any advice on how to go about this.
Jazak Allah khair for your efforts. Tawfiq insha’Allah.
Asallam Alaikum BROOO!
I am leaving the country on APRIL 28 and coming back MAY 28 InshaaAllah. Your program starts May 17th! What to do? Will the program be recorded or taped so i can view it when i come back? Or will i miss out on the first few lessons? I REALLY want to benefit from this! Got any suggestions?? My email is mahfooz.iq at gmail dot com.
JazakhAllah and take care
Sallamualaykum
I have a panasonic SDR H40…Its a decent camera, records to a hard drive…very basic though, not thta many advanced features on it.
Windows movie maker is what I use…its not the best, but its easy and quick
Asalamu alaikum wa rahmatahu Allahi wa barakatahu
Jazakuma’Allahu Khairun for making these videos. They are very beneficial.
I have been wanting to start making videos for quite a while now. Dawah videos. Now my only concern has been…How to do so without being in the video and without talking in the video?
Now, this one sister did a very nice and short piece that I loved: http://tv.muxlim.com/video/H_d6FG1vgjO without using spoken words.
It works for a short script yet what do I do for a longer script if I have no one to do the talking or being in front of the camera for me?
Any suggestions?
Jazakuma’Allahu Khairun.
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
1) I have a digital camera which has the option of making movies, but I’d prefer to use my brothers’ camera phone as the digital camera uses up batteries very quickly. I also have available to me a video camera. I normally use Windows XP 2002 (PC). There’s another PC in the house, and it’s very recent….a few months old. We also have a laptop that has a camera on it….few months old as well. I think I can manage a debate, especially if it’s through text, but there is room for major improvement. But basically, I am at a blank of which skills I possess. I’ve used windows media maker before.
2.) Giving da3wah….it lifts my emaan a lot. At my college, I give da3wah at the da3wah table. I’m better at giving da3wah through text, however, or if I know the questions beforehand so I can do in-depth research and explain properly.
I’m good at organizing things, especially if I want to and put my mind to it.
Hmm, I think that’s it. =/
jazakAllaahu khairan Br. Belal.
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Masha’Allah I like the style already and am looking forward to more of the same on the webinars. Quickly per your request…
Al Hamdulillah I have access to a digital camera, and a cell phone that records decent quality videos and stills. I have a labtop that comes with the generic video making programs but I still haven’t used it yet
so it might actually be great! PhotoShop, Movie Maker. I also have access to lights and many tools a carpenter might have.
I have a passion for writing and would have to list that as a natrual resource Al Hamdulillah. Why I want to take this course is cuz I love to learn and teach what I know as well…especially when it comes to making ajar deposits in the akhira account.
Jazak’Allah Khair for the effort Insha’Allah we all benefit from each other and get the opportunity for a domino effect like Belal.
MaSalama
AsalamuAlaykum
Thanks for all the support and help so far!
To the topic of my equipment:
>6 Megapixel Samsung Digital Camera
>Win Vista (Vista Sucks) Home Ultimate, as well as XP (better in my opinion)
>Have good writing skillz
>Software…well I’ve got moviemaker, and have experience with Adobe Photoshop, but I can get torrents of GIMP and Adobe Photoshop(which I don’t currently have)
>Oh yeah, most importantly(save the best for last), I’ve got the Intention to do this for the ?Cause of Allah
>>PS: Check out and try to become part of the Youtube community of Muslims, esp under the Islamic Emirate of Youtube, inshAllah, we will use this info to improve our videos and dawah. Join the Cause!
Salam,
My computer is PC labtop and it is 1 year old. Editing software is Windows Movie Maker. No camera except for my not so good cell phone camera. I would like to learn something new, I am looking forward
salaam! brother i have about 3 years old computer and digital camera intervidoe creater and movee auto producer and i wanna jnow hotw to start? and how to make a reguler vidoe into into the professoinal movie and how do u do the beginging picture script with sound inshllah can u try to reply me.
Assalaamu alaikum brother
My apologies I didn’t comment here, cause when I saw the first Video from hearing from Baba Ali, I didn’t wait and went ahead, and….I am already filming.
To answer your questions:
1. I have 3 computers. One which I use for rendering. The other is a Dell Laptop which I use to create the compositions, motion graphics and editing.
2. The softwares I have, which I taught myself cause I couldn’t wait are:
A) After Effects for Compositions, Motion Graphics and special effects which I create from scratch.
B) Pro-Animator/Invigorator I am just about to get for 3D plugin for After Effects to raise the stakes in 3D intro animations and building 3d worlds.
C) Sony Vegas I have for editing the movies and adding the sounds track, audio and if needs be, blending modes.
D) Photoshop to help with Motion Graphics, Mapping Textures.
E) Illustrator for creating designed Vectors for Motion Graphics.
I learnt to use all these in a matter of a few months and at high standard, 12 hours a day.
Filming Equipment
This is where I have a challenge bro but some stranger from nowhere gave me:
A) A Digital Camcorder.
I don’t have lighting or, Microphones but I am just filming for practing to understand the camera at moment.
SPACE
I got a room which I took everything out. So now, I will need to learn how what to add, microphone, lighting, etc.
Dell XPS M1210 Laptop
sony minidv camcorder with mic
Adobe Premiere
I am interested in recording presentations, so it would be great if you could include multicamera editing as well as how to clearly integrate powerpoint slides in the editing phase (so I don’t have to depend on blurry camera shots of projection).
Wasn’t sure where to put this, but thought it may be of use to someone out there:
http://www.filmracing.com/howitworks.htm
The challenge: make a movie in 24 hours and enter it in the filmracing contest.
I don’t think it’s really 24 hours but you have 24 hours to include a surprise theme and action element, that is only announced at the beginning of the race.
?Salam brother I liked ur video. in fact this is the first video for u I saw and I really liked it. any way thanks for this great video and I want to invite u to visit my website
http://www.arabtech.tv
it’s arabic Podcasts about technology and we did make an episode about how to make ur own podcast in arabic and we too use standard video camera with HHD and clipon microphones nothing much really and as u said after tawfiq from Allah you will succeed and make it to the top
we are the first Arab official Podcasters
as-salamu alaikum brother –
inventory:
Mac Powerbook G4 12″, 1.5 GHz, 1.25 GB RAM
iMovie, Final Cut, Final Cut Pro (don’t know how to use these last two).
Canon MiniDV Camcorder, about three years old.
Sony MiniDV Camcorder, about 5 years old.
Sony HD Camcorder, about two years old.
Canon SD 870IS Digital Camera, takes stills/video.
Samsung Still camera, also takes mediocre video.
Handheld recorder, Olympus.
Writing ability: can write, talk/present well. cannot draw. at all.
I’m interested in recording presentations/documentary films, as well as creative trailers/teasers for events and the like…
Was-salam
zacharia
sallam br. Belal
i have a web cam and i just wanted to know if it is good enough or i should buy a video cam, also i have a digital cam that can record and i love the idea of teaching people the basics of video teaching for less JassakAllahkir
Salams Brother Belal,
Jazak Allah for your initiative – high time we had some hard core media workshops! Have paid already and can’t wait for the webinar to begin:
Here’s my inventory:
* Core element: Faith in Allah and the intention to serve humanity
* Computer: a Toshiba laptop and a PC – both pretty new
* Hard disk: Two external hard drives, totalling lots and lots of giga bytes
* Accessibility: Broadband internet connection (uploading not a problem)
* Camera: Can buy any camera you recommend – waiting for advice, budget no problem
* Sound: Sony Ericsson phone that records conversations very well – good for documentaries and telephonuc interviews. Digital voice recorder. No mics yet – want to get a camera which takes good mics, Insha Allah
* Still photography: Canon digital SLR – doesn’t do video but can be used to do very good stills for a montage, etc. Have shot professionally.
* Skills: Professional copywriter and journalist. more than 10 years in advertising, marketing, branding, communication working for some of the hottest brands and advertising agency networks in the world!
Strong on researching, interviewing, networking, striking instant bonds with people, travelling. Very fast learner for all things IT – from blogging to video uploads to website management and more.
Things and themes I am interested in:
* Spirituality that transcends cultures and differences (Like Imam Ghazali)
* Poetry that connects people and touches them (like Hazrat Rumi)
* Da’wah that isn’t preachy but cool (like Baba Ali)
* Truth that’s waiting to be told (all those stories that we should see in the media but don’t)
* The sheer diversity of the Ummah
* Advertising, marketing, communication
* The power of the internet and the good that can be done with it….
Hoping to take these initial thoughts further with your help…
farrukh
http://www.copywriterjournalist.com
assalamu’alaykum warohmatulloh
jazakalloh khoir for your video and effort.
alhamdulillah i’m also have talented like you in video production. my experiences are director scripwriter, cameramen, video editor etc.
Now i’m try to make dawah TV. in very low cost.
only one PC and transmitter.
the manhaj is salafus assholeh.
hopefully you can help us. since we have very low budget.
our needed are
-source of islamic JPG (big size) can you share your collection?
- we also need the video dawah that you have production, but in good quality (mpeg 7200 kbps is the minimum), hopefully the master (without english text) so we can give text in our language.
thanks for your help.
jazakalloh khoir..
wassalamu’alaykum
Assalaamu alaikum
Looks like there is a rising star in the Muslim community who is right in there in showing how to be producers, editors. He’s also gathered a lot of Non-Muslim followers as well as Muslims.
Go to youtube, and search for offthehook2. Talented for sure. Glad to see Muslims sharing their knowledge.
Forget, click on my name and it will take you to the many video tutorials on aftereffects, sony vegas, camera work, editing etc..
Keep up the work mastery…
wassalaam
Asalamu Aleykum!!!
Shukur Allah !!!! I can’t register myself here!!! why?@#!
Hmmm…. am i late???! sorry but have learned just few hours before!!!!
I have PC (Windows Vista) about 1year old, Ulead Videostudio 11.0 and some other photo editors, Video Camera JVC 4 GB + use as a photo camera!!! Nokia 6300 -> some photos and videos !!! Planning to buy own laptop!!!<< have a lot of lamps and place to shot !!!! Trying to create some videos those need great improvment…. ideas comming but have a problem with right edit and ….??! I do like different kind of things, but prefer to choose education, history, religions, own memories, nation.
Walaikum asalaam. You, you’re late. Course is already in session. InshaAllah in the future it may open up again so make du’aa that you get another opportunity at this.
Hmm….
… insallah!!! 
I do hope i will have this opportunity!!!
May Allah jj let the right thing.
Jazaak Allaahu khayran, Belal, for this outstanding video. It’s really a great demonstration of how rarely it is the tools and how much it is the people & how they use them. Top-notch quality, and the SOUND was excellent, maa shaa Allaah!
[...] available that are samples of what the entire program entails. I found the one entitled “Three POWER Principles of Filmmaking” to be quite refreshing in how simple, yet effective, such techniques can be. Even more [...]
good work i like what your doing if you ever need any help give me a shout. i have many cameras from a RED to an EX 1 but thats not the point i think what your doing is great. WELL DONE
Asalaam Alykum wrwb
My computer (windows and linux) is 5 years old, I have Nokia N95 good video quality, I have SE K800i good picture quality, And I will buy a video camera in few weeks.
Here is a list on some free open source video editing programs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_edit…
http://sourceforge.net/search/?type_of_search=s…
Jazakallah khair, Ma'Salaam
Bilal
Assalamu Alaikum, I just watched your video and I have these:
-A computer with good speed and a TB and the adibe master suite cs3 (its windoes xp).
-A laptop which is pretty fast (windows 7).
-A 256kbps internet conn. which I will increase.
- A DV camcoder using tape BUT I CANT FIND A SOFTWARE TO TAKE THE VIDEO!!!
^^^If you know a good software for JVC please tell me!
-A 2 megapixel digital camera.
-Willing to do this…
-Loving filmmaking
-prepared to give alot of time… =)
Jazakallahu Khairan brother,
Your doing a really good job!
[...] your membership to Secrets to Video Production NOW for a special price of $47 Use coupon code… Three POWER Principles of FilmmakingIn this second video I discuss the three POWER principles that lead me to make thousands of dollars [...]