It’s an all-in-one opportunity to shoot a scene for your showreel in a real film studio environment. We'll provide the professional gear minus the camera), —giving you a polished piece that looks cinematic, not DIY.

This isn’t a class. It’s a hands-on shoot experience where you walk away with a scene that shows your talent at its absolute best.

Great news: you already do have a camera—your Cell Phone!

Modern iPhones cellphones shoot cinematic-quality video. In fact, entire feature films have been shot on iPhones: 🎬 28 Years Later – shot entirely on an iPhone. 🎬 Tangerine – shot on an iPhone and premiered at Sundance.

If cellphones are good enough for Oscar-winning directors, they’re more than good enough for you.

You are, of course, welcome to bring any camera you prefer—DSLR, Blackmagic, RED, ARRI—it’s completely up to you. But don’t let gear hold you back. What matters most is your performance and the quality of the scene, not the price tag of the camera.

Anyone who wants to work in film!

• Writers who want to see how scenes they write translate to the screen.

• Actors who want a high-quality, cinematic scene for their reel.

• Directors and cinematographers looking to expand their portfolio.

• Emerging filmmakers wanting hands-on experience in a real studio environment.

• Anyone tired of waiting for opportunities and ready to create their own.

Whether you’re just starting or already working, the Showreel Shootout is built to showcase your skills professionally.

This is where the magic happens.

This is for BOTH professionals and newbies! So how does that work??

🎬 If you’re new: This is your shot to break in without the pressure of a “real job” or the chaos of a student film. You’ll step onto a professional set, get access to lights, roll that camera, and be surrounded by people who want you to win. You’ll feel what it’s like to hit your mark, deliver your lines, and walk away with footage that shows your full potential.

🎬 If you’re seasoned: This is your sandbox. Your chance to play, experiment, and rediscover your voice. Want to test a new character, a new way of writing or directing, a new way of positioning the camera or shooting a scene. This is your chance to try a daring choice you’ve been itching to make. Push yourself in a way you can’t on client gigs or audition tapes? This is where you do it—safe, supported, and shot like cinema.

And here’s the best part: beginners and pros do this side by side. That mix is gold. You learn from each other. You feed off each other’s energy. It stops being “just a shoot” and starts feeling like a living, breathing creative lab.

This isn’t just about a reel clip. It’s about community. About being part of something where everyone—from the first-timer to the veteran—walks away sharper, braver, and more inspired.

We’re here to guide you, back you up, and give you a space where trying new things feels electric, not scary. Whether you’re here to take your very first swing or refine your craft like a pro, this is your set. Your playground. Your moment.

🎬 Yes, it does!

Here’s why: Original scenes keep the Showreel Shootout fresh, alive, and uniquely yours.

For actors, it means no one’s comparing you to Bryan Cranston or Florence Pugh—you’re not stepping into their shadows. Instead, you’re stepping into a role tailored to you, designed to showcase your strengths.

For directors and DPs, original material means creative freedom. You’re not replicating someone else’s look or vibe—you’re building your own. You get to experiment, test visual ideas, and craft something cinematic that’s entirely yours.

For writers, this is a chance to see your work performed and shot professionally, to hear your words come alive on a real set with a full crew.

The result? A reel scene that isn’t just polished—it’s distinctive. It feels like a moment pulled from a real film, not a copy of something that already exists.

Because at Filmmakers Ranch, we’re not in the business of imitation. We’re here to help you create, explore, and find your voice. By the time we’re done, you won’t just have footage—you’ll have a mini-movie that reflects who you are as an artist.

This is your sandbox. Your scene. Your style. Your vision.

Imagine a film set packed wall-to-wall—chaos, noise, no room to breathe. Yeah, we don’t do that.

We keep the Shootout intimate and exclusive, with only 16 teams per day. This means focused time, professional attention, and space to actually create.

Once those slots are gone, they’re gone—like missing a casting call for your dream role or losing that perfect golden-hour shot. Don’t be the one watching from the sidelines wishing you’d grabbed it.

Here’s a secret every pro knows: no one ever feels 100% ready. Not actors before their first close-up. Not directors before their first “Action!” Not DPs staring down their first lighting setup.

This isn’t about being “ready.” It’s about stepping in anyway—with a team that’s got your back.

The Shootout is your safe space to stretch, risk, and grow. Think of it as your creative gym—you show up nervous, you leave stronger.

Because every day you wait is another day your dream stays parked in neutral.

🎬 Reason 1: Limited spots. We keep it small, and these always sell out. Miss it now? You might be waiting months.

🎬 Reason 2: Momentum matters. You can’t edit footage you don’t have. Every time you delay, you’re pressing pause on auditions, jobs, or that perfect agent submission. 🎬 Reason 3: No more “someday.” The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is now.

Ask yourself: Where could you be 30 days from now if you had that polished, cinematic reel clip? The only thing standing between you and that is the choice to sign up today.

The cost per team is $200, so if there's 8 of you that's just $25 each! And here’s what that gets you:

🎥 A fantastic standing set. 🎥 A First AD, and a Sound Mixer with kit. 🎥 A Lighting and Grip Package. 🎥 A community who want to see you succeed.

🎥 A piece for your reel.

If you rented a studio and gear, booked a first AD and a Sound mixer with kit, you’d spend ten times as much—and wrangle the logistics yourself. We’ve bundled it all for you, so you can focus on your craft.

Yes—100%. It’s yours. You own it outright.

You’ll shoot it on your own camera (or even your iPhone), so you leave the day with everything you filmed in your hands - plus the professionally recorded audio files from our sound mixer - ready to edit, cut, and showcase however you want.

Whether you’re: 🎬 Submitting it to agents (actors, directors, writers, DPs) 🎬 Posting it to socials 🎬 Editing it into your reel 🎬 Or simply experimenting with your style—

…it’s yours to keep, share, and shape however you see fit.

And here’s the cool part: by joining the Showreel Shootout, you also grant Filmmakers Ranch permission to share your scene to show you off—because when you create something cinematic here, we want the world to see it. Think of it as free promotion for both you and the power of the Showreel Shootout.

This isn’t film school homework. It’s your film, shot your way, on a working soundstage, with the energy of a real set.

Click “Sign Up Now,” pick your slot, and lock it in. Done in two minutes flat.

Then we’ll send you a welcome email with everything you need: prep tips, scene guidelines, and exactly what to expect on shoot day. Easy, clear, and zero guesswork.

Yes. Registration closes on the last Friday of the month or when we sell out—whichever comes first.

And here’s the thing: most people who think “I’ll do it later” end up messaging us afterward saying, “Are there any last-minute spots?” Spoiler alert: There aren’t.

Because this isn’t a workshop in a classroom or a “DIY reel day” in someone’s garage.

This is a working film studio, with real crews, real gear, and a vibe that feels like stepping onto a set for a TV Series or the next best indie movie.

You’re not just learning—you’re doing, surrounded by professionals who eat, sleep, and breathe this industry.

When you leave, you won’t just have footage. You’ll have proof: proof of what you can do, proof of how good you can look on screen, proof that you belong in this business.