The Efficient Filmmaker: Scan and Plan

Mascha Deikova

The Efficient Filmmaker: Scan and Plan

Mascha Deikova
0h 51m
6 modules (view curriculum)

$29/month
When billed annually.

  • Total Time:

    0h 51m

Description

Ever wished you could take a potential filming location home with you and explore it in more detail? In the new course of “The Efficient Filmmaker” series, you’ll learn how to transform simple smartphone footage into fully navigable 3D environments, experiment with virtual camera moves, and previsualize your shot ideas — all without needing VFX skills or expensive software. Whether you’re scouting locations solo, planning complex scenes, or preparing detailed storyboards, these AI-enhanced workflows give you the freedom to experiment and make creative decisions faster.

“Scan and plan” combines bits of theory with practical demonstrations. By the end of this course, you’ll have new, powerful tools at hand to plan, visualize, explore, and communicate ideas efficiently and creatively.

Modules

Technology for 3D Recreations Explained

05m

Before we start scanning the real world, let’s understand the tech behind it. In this module, you’ll see what 3D Gaussian Splatting, NeRFs, and LiDAR actually are — and how these evolving tools make it possible to recreate real environments straight from your phone. No worries: complex terms are explained in simple words, so it’s easy to follow for everyone.

3D Scan of Your Location

14m

Sometimes, a location is too good to forget — and now, you don’t have to. We’ll look at how to turn real spaces into explorable 3D environments using just your smartphone. In this module, you’ll get practical tips on improving the quality of such captures. After that, we’ll walk through two powerful tools, Luma AI and Polycam, that allow users to recreate locations for previsualization, set design, or remote collaboration.

Moving the Virtual Camera Through Your Scanned...

06m

Here, we explore how to turn your 3D scans into cinematic shot previews. You’ll learn how to move a virtual camera through your recreated space, set keyframes for smooth motion, and render quick test shots right inside Luma’s browser-based editor. It’s a fast, intuitive way to visualize camera moves, test your framing, and see your scenes come to life — without leaving your desk.

Exploring Impossible Shots

08m

Some shots are difficult, risky, or costly to execute in real life, so it’s better to test them beforehand. Building on the workflow from the previous module, here you’ll see how to simulate FPV drone moves, dolly zooms, and other possible — and impossible — camera movements inside a 3D-recreated space.

Using Scans in Storyboards

04m

Learn how to turn your 3D location scans into detailed, production-ready storyboard frames. Here, we also explore workflows for enhancing them with AI image generators, like adding or adjusting props, lighting, or characters.

Stylizing Your Previsualization

11m

Discover how to give your previsualizations a cinematic or stylized look using AI-enhanced tools. In the final module, we explore workflows for turning simple scans into imaginative scenes — like a studio transformed into a futuristic sci-fi command deck — and focus on how AI can help you communicate your vision to the team.

About the Educator

Mascha Deikova

Director, Author

3 Courses

Mascha Deikova is a filmmaker based in Austria and co-owner of the video production company Holy Moly films. She works on commercials, music videos, corporate films, and documentaries. Mascha’s passion lies in exploring cinematic and narrative techniques for storytelling, as well as emerging AI tools for streamlining mundane tasks. She regularly writes about these topics for CineD.com.

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