About – Hand Held Hollywood

ABOUT HAND HELD HOLLYWOOD

Hand Held Hollywood explores how your iPhone and iPad can aid in nearly every aspect of film and video production. From filmmaking apps and accessories, to time-saving workflows, this is a destination for those wishing to discuss and discover the latest techniques and technology. It’s a place where every iThing-obsessed writer, producer, director, cinematographer, composer, editor, actor, and otherwise can call home.

CONTACT ME

Need to reach me for any reason? Just visit the Contact page.

ABOUT ME

Hi there! My name is Taz Goldstein (tazgoldstein.com), and I’m an award winning filmmaker and author. I launched HandHeldHollywood.com in 2009 to satisfy my own mobile filmmaking and technology addictions. When I’m not posting about the latest iPhone & iPad filmmaking tools, I’m directing and producing film & television in Los Angeles, CA. Most recently, I executive produced Spinning Plates, a food documentary that enjoyed a successful world-wide theatrical run, and is now available for streaming and purchase.

I enjoy nothing more than sharing what I know. I lecture regularly at industry events (including NAB, MacWorld, SuperMeet, The Showbiz Expo, NAMM and the DV Expo), and recently authored Hand Held Hollywood’s Filmmaking with the iPad & iPhone for Peachpit Press. I’ve served as a Digital Media Net (DMN) forum leader, hosted the After Effects Boot Camp training series, and I’m a former faculty member of the American Film Institute.

If you’re interested in having me give an HHH presentation at your company or industry event (or if you’d just like to say, “hi”), please feel free to drop me a line using the email link on the bottom of the page.

O.A.Q. (Occasionally asked questions)

Why don't you post anymore? Sometimes there’s only one or two new posts all year!

HEY, BACK OFF! I DON’T NEED THAT SORT OF PRESSURE! STOP LOOKING AT ME!

Actually, I would LOVE to be posting all the time. There’s enough material out there to be posting 3 times a day, and I’m so passionate about the topic that it kills me when I can’t post as often as I’d like. But the fact is, I’m a working director. And, as anyone in the biz can tell you, it’s very easy for a production to totally consume your life. So, during those days when I’m consumed, the posts slow down. Conversely, when I’m sitting on my butt, playing XBOX and waiting for my next meeting, the posting rate goes up. …which brings me to an important point: If you see the posting rate go up, it means I’m looking for my next project. Call me if you’ve got one.

On the bright side, things have changed a LOT since I first started this website in 2009. Back then, this was the ONLY destination for news about mobile media making tools. These days, it’s the topic of 10,000 YouTube channels! There’s no lack of great content out there. That said, I still miss writing, and I know you miss reading my subtly injected fart jokes. Such is life. I miss you all! XO

Why don’t you cover Android?

Why says I don’t? …ok, I don’t. But, I want too! That’s why I named the site Hand Held Hollywood (and not something Apple specific). There just isn’t a whole lot going on for Android owning filmmakers yet. If there are Android users out there who want to contribute to HHH, please drop me a line.

What sort of stuff do you direct?

I’ve directed short films for Walt Disney, TV pilots for Fox, various commercials, network promos, 2nd unit on features, and a TON of corporate stuff. I’m trying to get a couple of my own indie comedies off the ground (know any investors?). Feel free to check out my directing website, and the official site for my production company, Chaos Theory Entertainment.

I just saw you speak at [someplace I just spoke], and enjoyed the presentation. Will you be doing that again?

First of all, thanks! Due to the success of this site, I’ve been getting asked more and more to speak at trade shows and industry events around the country. I LOVE giving these presentations. Seriously! I get to share my passion, and meet all sorts of interesting people along the way. On occasion, I’m asked to speak at a private function, but usually I appear at public events. I’ve been posting the dates and locations on the HHH front page, so that’s the best place to find out about future events.

Can you teach me how to do what you do?

Absolutely! I’m often hired to lecture and teach mobile filmmaking techniques at trade events, and for companies that are interested in integrating mobile media-making workflows. If you’d like to chat, drop me a line!

Do you take article submissions for publication on HHH?

Yup! In fact, I’d love the help! I want HHH to thrive, but sometimes I think it would go a lot smoother if other folks jumped into the pool. So, consider this your official invitation! If you want to write an article or review for the site, just drop me a line.

Do you pay for outside submissions?

I wish I could. As I mentioned a couple questions ago, HHH really isn’t a money maker. It’s a passion project by a filmmaking nerd for other filmmaking nerds. However, HHH has a large readership. So if you’re looking for exposure as a filmmaker, writing for HHH is a good way to get it! As HHH grows, and I figure out how to make more money, I’m hoping to bring in some paid writers.

How can I advertise on Hand Held Hollywood?

Just drop me a line! I sell ad space in 90 day chunks. Who doesn’t like chunks?

You spelled ‘discombobulate’ incorrectly. Do you proofread your posts?

Sure I do! But re-reading my writing doesn’t do much to improve my crap spelling and grammar. I know I make the occasional (or not-so-occational) error, and I’m not thrilled about it. If you find mistakes, please let me know so I can fix ’em up.

You don’t appear to be taking any of this terribly seriously.

Kumquat. Trampoline. Turnip.
Next question.

PRESS RESOURCES

Here’s a 2.6 megabyte zip file containing a few versions of the HHH logo and two photos of site founder, Taz Goldstein.

USER DATA PRIVACY TOOLS

Have you subscribed to our newsletter? To ensure compliance with international privacy restrictions, we’ve made it easy for you to manage your personal data. Visit User Data Privacy page.