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Having recently attended the official launch of a new online resource for deaf and disabled would-be film-makers, Mik Scarlet was so impressed at the quality of the films shown at the event that as soon as he got home he checked out the website, and was equally impressed at what a superb resource it provided

The uScreen resource is a collection of tools and a place for exchanging ideas. The website is very easy to use and fully accessible with a really user friendly design. Even before signing up to the site you can view other people’s projects and see their quality. You can also watch the online guides, in the form of video clips, to see what joining uScreen can offer. These are clear and easy to understand, with subtitles. In their Latest News section there are links to a large number of competitions for film-makers and trainee and intern placements within the industry, which is fantastic if you know this is where you want to take your career. There are also links to workshops and industry events as well as blogs from the uScreen mentor team.

The process of signing up is straightforward and once you’ve joined you can access the online toolkits to allow you to start making your own films without having to buy expensive software. The Storyboard tool allows you to create a visual outline of your film before you film a single scene by creating an animation in printed form of any shots you want to capture. With pre-made scenery, figures, props and locations you can really build up a realistic vision of what your finished film will look like. It also means you can try out stuff like positioning and camera angles before you get started to ensure your film is the best it can be. You can then take your storyboard to your shoot and everyone involved will know what you have planned.

The Cutting Room tool allows you to edit your film into a finished project, while being in contact with everyone involved in your project via a chat window. This means you end up working in a truly collaborative way and saves the editor having to recut several times. You upload all the clips that you want to be in your finished film, then cut them to the right length and put them together. I’m sure that most of you will have software like this on your computers and will be experienced in using it, but the great thing about the way uScreen works is that everyone involved will have access to the project and can add footage and edits.

The other great benefit is the access to industry mentors that can advise and guide you with your project. With people like actors David Proud (Eastenders) and Julie Fernandez (The Office), film-makers Karen Gilchrist and Will Jessop and broadcaster James Rose you have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience.

So go on, give uScreen a look. If you want to make professional standard films it’s the place to go.

• Visit uscreen.co.uk