How many times a day do you search on the internet? If you are like the hardworking team here at Raindance – dozens of times. We are always searching the internet looking for new ideas, new people and fact-checking films in preparation for the film festival this autumn. We always turn to Google shortcuts.
How do you use the internet? Do you keep typing words into Google until the right article pops up? We used to. Until we started pooling our tips to make our work easier. This list is going to make your life a whole lot easier.
Shortcut #1 Word definitions
If you ever need the definition of a word, just type in the word define: followed by the word you need a definaition for.
Do it like this:
define:gaffer
Shortcut #2 Specific File Formats
Here’s one that Frederica uses all the time. She’s taking some extra courses and is usually in the office before sunrise reading and researching away. Let’s say you are looking for a screenplay online, like Tarantino’s new script, Django Unchained. Most scripts on the internet are in PDF format.Do it like this:
Do it like this:
“Django Unchained”filetype:pdf
Shortcut #3 Searching A Specific Phrase
Let’s say you are interesting in narrowing down your search from, say, film directing, to filmmaking on your phone. The quotation marks cause Google to search using that exact and entire phrase, rather than bring up webpages that about filmmaking that also mention using your phone to call someone
Do it like this:
“filmmaking on your phone”
Or, suppose you really want to know which are the top film festivals to apply to.
Do it like this:
“world’s top film festivals”
Or, lets say you have just finished a short film, and don’t know where to send it.
Do it like this:
“world’s top 100 film festivals for shorts”
Shortcut #4 Excluding Words
Lets say you want to do a search for something but want to exclude a specific word to narrow down the results and save time. Lets say you want to research film festivals, but for whatever reason you don’t want to submit to a french film festival.
Do it like this:
film festivals -france
Shortcut #5 Similar Words and Synonyms:
Suppose you are searching a word, but want to include similar words (NB, this is a tilde (wiggly) not a dash))
Do it like this:
raindance writers ~studio
Shortcut #6 Fill in the blanks:
Use the * symbol as a placeholder for any words you can’t remember, or don’t mind interchanging on a search.
Do it like this:
raindance live *
Shortcut #7 Numeric Range
This nifty and rarely used tool allows you to search for specific words or phrases within a numeric range. Lets say you want to search for opening night films between 2009 and 2011.
Do it like this:
raindance opening night 2008..2011
Shortcut #8 Calculator
If you are in a real rush and need a quick answer just type in the expression into Google.
Do it like this:
355 * 1.75
The answer will pop up in the search window
Shortcut #9 Area Codes and Telephone Numbers
Let’s suppose you have a missed call and you don’t know who it is. Simply type the telephone number into Google, and you will see who has called you
Do it like this:
020 287 3833
Or say you want to know which country is +252.
Do it like this:
+252
Shortcut #10 Search Within a Specific Website
Great for if you want to find an article or some information within one website, rather than the whole web.
Do it like this:
Raindance site:indiewire.com
Bonus Shortcut #11 Google Alerts
Be the first to know!
Our favourite Google shortcuts is this one. We use this all the time to track people or key phrases we are interested in. Enter in a name of phrase you want to monitor, and you can choose daily or weekly updates. Never be left out in the cold again.
Do it like this:
Raindance Film Festival
Got your own?
Send it in to feedback@raindance.co.uk
Photo Credit: Bertie Watson
I founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993 because the British film industry was closed, polite, and congratulating itself while shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Independent Film Awards in 1998 because British indie film deserved more than a shrug, a pat on the head, and a Tuesday night screening.
Raindance didn’t start as a brand. It started as a rebellion: film training without gatekeepers, a festival without permission, and a community built by filmmakers who weren’t waiting to be invited in.
Later, we took it global: Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, and Brussels, because independent film doesn’t belong to one city, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ short films and seven features, including Deadly Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) not because someone “discovered” us, but because the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books used by filmmakers worldwide because too many courses taught compliance instead of survival.
In 2009, I was awarded a PhD for services to film education, ironic, given that most of my career has been about tearing down the rules that education insisted you follow.
I don’t believe in waiting for permission.I believe in making work, building systems, and forcing the industry to catch up.
Specialties: Independent Film (the real kind) · Producing · Writing · Film Education · Festivals · Breaking Broken Systems
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