We’ve talked quite a bit about script breakdowns. We’ve shown you how to break down a script, and how to do it with free script breakdown software.Now, we’re going to take a look at Bong Joon-ho’s script for Parasite and do a deep dive into how you would tag its characteristic set dressing in a real-world production scenario.You can read and download the entire Parasite script below. Let's get started.(Caution: Parasite spoilers ahead)Continue reading Set Dressing Guide: How Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite Creates Meaning
A lot of job titles on a film set come from other industries or traditions, and Gaffer is one of them. The Gaffer is an indispensable part of any production but what is a Gaffer? In this post we’re going to break it all down for you. We’ll talk about where the name comes from, what a Gaffer actually does on set, and how you can take on the role yourself.Continue reading What is a Gaffer? Definition and Job Description Explained
You’ve thoroughly read and re-read the script, and you can perfectly visualize what your finished movie is going to look like. But how can you make sure that what audiences will see on the screen will be the same as what’s in your mind’s eye? Easy peasy! You just need a Shot List. Continue reading What’s in Your Shot List: How to Design and Communicate Your Vision
Exposition in film or screenwriting is one of the most difficult aspects to master. It’s necessary for our audience to understand our characters and plot, but we don’t really want the audience to be aware of exposition, in and of itself. When that happens, it can jar the audience right out of our story. And it also just makes our writing look bad. In this post, we’ll take a look at ways to avoid the common pitfalls of clunky exposition, as well as some excellent examples of exposition that have been seamlessly integrated into the overall narrative.Continue reading 12 Secrets…
Nobody likes doing paperwork, but sometimes it’s just part of your job. On a film shoot, production reports are how the production office communicates with each department, and vice-versa. Fortunately, StudioBinder makes creating reports easy so you have more time to rest and recharge before the next shooting day. Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to Production Reports
As the lovechild of the Costume Drama and the Fantasy Adventure, the Western might have more considerations that go into producing it than any other genre. When shooting a western, you’ve got costumes, animals, and stunt work to contend with. You’ve got locations and dirt and weather…And that’s just on an ordinary shoot day. In this post, take a look at a few of the many considerations that go into shooting a western by breaking down a scene from HBO’s Westworld. Continue reading Breaking Down the Contemporary Western: Westworld
The humble film slate, scuffed and scratched and tossed casually aside between setups, is actually a very important piece of equipment that no film set should ever be without. In this post, we’re going to give you an insider’s tour of the slate, officially known as a clapperboard. We’ll show you how to use a film slate on set, including how to mark the slate properly. We’ll also advise you on how to slate correctly for the camera so you’ll know what you’re doing right from the first take.Continue reading The Clapperboard Explained — How to Use a Film Slate
The first films ever made were documentaries.Originally demonstrations of the magic of filmmaking technology, these short, seemingly insignificant projects have since served as historical records of everyday life at the turn of the 19th century. 125 years later, documentary filmmaking is still one of the most powerful ways of educating and influencing audiences, for better or worse.“Documentary” in and of itself is a storytelling medium, not a film genre. But in our list of film history’s essential doc titles, our picks span a wide range of subjects and styles, offering three standout selections for each noteworthy category.Read on for our…
You might think you know what a Casting Director does, but you would likely be only partially right. Casting Directors do a lot more than just find actors for film, television, and commercials. In this post we’re going to talk about all the things Casting Directors do — and don’t do. We’ll also discuss casting in film vs. theater, what you need to do in order to become a CD, and how to find jobs in that arena. Continue reading What is a Casting Director — Job Description, Duties & Salary
If you’re the kind of person who waits through the credits of movies (and if you are, thank you for acknowledging the crew), you’ve probably asked yourself, “What is a Key Grip”? Well, in this post we’re going to tell you exactly what the Key Grip on a film crew is. We’ll explain what they do, what the job requirements are, and how you can get to be a one yourself. Continue reading What is a Key Grip — Definition & Job Description Explained
