Freelance writing and screenwriting by Ben Frain.

My freelance writing work covers two distinct disciplines; fiction and fact.

Fiction

I have completed four feature screenplays; 'Friday Night', 'Irresistible', 'Nelson' and 'The Groundsman' (co-written with Damian Michael Barcroft). My interests in this area are represented by my literary agent, Culverhouse and James. I have also written a corporate training video for retailer Marks and Spencer.

Fact

Since 2001 I have worked as a freelance writer and journalist, covering film making, technology reviews and application tutorials for publications including Computer Active, The Guardian newspaper, Digital Video, Computer Video, Macworld, MacUser, Digit and Camcorder User. For details of the latest articles, visit the blog section.

Here is a selection of the freelance writing reviews and features by publication...

Camcorder User, 2002-2005

  • 24 Frames Per Second (feature)
  • Panasonic AG DVC60 (review)
  • Adventures In Movie Making (feature)
  • Discreet Cleaner XL (review)
  • The Black Art Of Compression (feature)
  • High Definition: An Introduction (feature)
  • Panasonic AG DV1 DCE DV Recorder (review)
  • Panasonic DVX100 Camcorder (review)
  • Final Cut Express (review)
  • Final Cut Express HD (review)
  • Final Cut Pro 4 (review)
  • Guerilla Filmmakers Hand Book (review)
  • The Holy Grail: Making video look like film (feature)
  • JVC DV3000 (review)
  • JVC DV6000E (review)
  • JVC GYDV5000 (review)
  • JVC PD1 (review)
  • Professional Video: Production (feature)
  • Professional Video: Editing (feature)
  • Canopus Procoder 1.5 (review)
  • Short and Sweet (5 part feature)
  • Squeeze 3.5 (review)
  • Squeeze 4.0 (review)
  • Vital Statistics: Alan Roberts, BBC (interview feature)
  • Vital Statistics: Eddie Hamilton, Freelance film editor (interview feature)
  • Vital Statistics: Saskia Abbott, Script Development Red Productions (interview feature)
  • Vital Statistics: Shane Daly, Cinematographer (interview feature)
  • Avid Xpress DV 3.5 (review)
  • Avid Xpress Pro (review)

Computer Active (2009 -)

  • Just the tonic: Speed up Windows (feature)
  • 2009 iMac 20" (review)
  • Unleash the power of your browser search tool (feature)

Computer Buyer (2008)

  • Mobile Phone Integration (feature)
  • Working with Video: Beginners Guide (feature)

Digit/Digital Arts Magazine

  • 3D layer (review)
  • Boris Continuum Complete 3 (review)
  • Buena Au Naturel (review)
  • Kniemac (review)
  • Magic Bullet (review)
  • Sorenson Squeeze 4.0 (review)
  • Sorenson Squeeze 5.0 (review)

Digital Video, 2006 on...

  • Apple Compressor (2 part tutorial)
  • Apple DVD Studio Pro (4 part tutorial)
  • Apple Final Cut Pro (6 part tutorial)
  • Apple Final Cut Pro: Multiclips (tutorial)
  • Apple Final Cut Studio 2 (Final Cut Pro 6, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2 etc) review
  • Apple MacBook Pro 17" (review)
  • Apple Aliminium iMac 24" (review)
  • Sports Cameras group test (review)
  • Screenwriter 6 (review)
  • Final Draft 7 (review)
  • Color (tutorial)
  • Digital Celluloid (2 part feature)
  • Everest Rocks/Extreme Shooting (2 part feature)
  • Magic Bullet Colorista (tutorial)

Guardian Newspaper 'Making Video' Guide 2008

  • Free Stock Footage
  • Video Plugins
  • Audio Effects
  • Video Compression

iPod User Magazine

  • iPhone 3G Case roundup (grouptest review)

MacUser 2001 on...

  • Adobe After Effects 5.5 (review)
  • Professional Video formats (feature)
  • Screenwriter 6 (review)
  • POV1 Action Camera (review)
  • Final Cut Studio 2 (8 part tutorial)
  • Final Cut Express 4 (review)
  • Videowrap (review)
  • Magic Bullet Colorista (review)
  • BluePhoneElite2 (review)
  • DVToast (review)

Macworld 2002 on...

  • Panasonic AJ-DVC60 Camcorder (review)
  • Discreet Cleaner 6 (review)
  • Video Compression (feature)
  • Panasonic DS60 (review)
  • DV Camcorder 6 cam group test (review)
  • 2005 DV Cam Group test (review)
  • Panasonic DVX100 (review)
  • Editing Techniques (review)
  • Final Cut Express (review)
  • Final Cut Express HD (review)
  • Final Cut Pro 5 (review)
  • Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter (review)
  • Foottrack (review)
  • High Definition (feature)
  • JVC D70 & 700EK (review)
  • Panasonic PD1 (review)
  • G4 PSU upgrade (review)
  • QuickTime 6 Pro (review)
  • Sorenson Squeeze 3 (review)
  • Sorenson Squeeze 4 (review)
  • Sony TVR22 (review)
  • Avid Xpress Pro (review)

PBnation, 2003

  • WDP Angel 4 Fly (review)
  • WDP Angel 4 (review)
  • Bootcamp (feature)
  • Kaner barrel set (review)
  • MacDev Conquest 03 (review)
  • Meet Thy Maker: Jack Wood (interview feature)
  • Meet Thy Maker: John Rice (interview feature)
  • Meet Thy Maker: Tom Kaye (interview feature)
  • Meet Thy Maker: James Grundy (interview feature)
  • Nexus Ecocker (review)
  • Powelyte Sceptor (review)
  • WDP Angel Speed (review)
  • Tournament Virgin (feature)

Which? (2008)

  • Basic Video Editing: Editing (tutorial)
  • Basic Video Editing: Adding and changing transitions (tutorial)
  • Basic Video Editing: Video effects (tutorial)
  • Basic Video Editing: Sound effects and soundtracks (tutorial)
  • Basic Video Editing: Troubleshooting (tutorial)
  • Basic Video Editing: Exporting (tutorial)
  • Basic Video Editing: Mac special - iMovie 08 (tutorial)
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional© benfrain.com 2007-2008 | UK Web Design and Freelance writing