What is fair use? If you produce YouTube content or do any work with intellectual property or copyrighted material, then a thorough understanding of fair use copyright law may be absolutely vital. In this post, we’ll break down what fair use is, dig into the criteria that determine fair use, and discuss the various applications of fair use copyright law.Continue reading What is Fair Use — Definition, Policies, Examples and More
What does high concept mean? The term ‘high concept’ is thrown around in film circles with reckless abandon but the true meaning is often misused or misconstrued. In this post, we will define high concept, debunk many of the misconceptions around the term, and look at some examples. And we'll let you know how you can tell if your own project is high concept or not.Continue reading What is High Concept in Film — Definition and Examples
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
One of the most crucial elements to a scene can be a prop. Props are important for a film’s plot, characters, and overall story. Ensuring that every prop in a screenplay is accounted for and brought on set can be overwhelming. However, creating a props list by breaking down a screenplay is a sure fire way to be prepared as a production designer or prop master. Let’s take a look at how to create a props breakdown list.Continue reading Props Breakdown — How to Make a List of All Props in a Script
So you have a great idea for a movie or TV show but don’t have the know-how to write it yourself. What do you do? Hire a screenwriter, of course! But how do you hire a screenwriter? Read on to see the five steps you must take to find a great screenwriter for your project with plenty of helpful pro-tips along the way. Continue reading How to Hire a Screenwriter — 5 Steps to Find the Perfect Writer
What is meal penalty? Well, meal penalty is something cast/crew are sometimes subject to – and it’s certainly something producers don’t want to incur. Meal penalty is the disincentive that keeps producers from overworking their employees – but it’s also something more than that. We’re going to break down meal penalties at the union, state, and federal level. By the end, you’ll know everything there is to know about meal penalties on film sets.Continue reading What is Meal Penalty — CA Lunch Penalty Law Explained
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
One of the first (and most exciting) parts of starting your own film production company is creating your film production company name. This name is going to reflect your groundbreaking style, show off your professional and one-of-a-kind brand, and set the tone for the projects you’ll take on as your company takes off. It also may be difficult to come up with a name that hasn’t already been taken. So how can you approach this suddenly daunting task? Is there a name left for you and your hardworking team? Keep reading for tips on how to create a production company…
A film production agreement is an important legal document for writers, directors, producers, and financiers – but what is a film production agreement? We’re going to answer that question by defining the term and its associated contracts. We’re also going to explore some real world examples. By the end, you’ll know why film production agreements are important – and how to use them.Continue reading Film Production Agreement — A Primer on Film Prod. Contracts
Why are major Hollywood movies so expensive these days? It seems like everything costs at least $200 million to make. Surely, there has to be a happy medium between indies and blockbusters. As it turns out, while the average movie budget has exploded over the last few decades, it’s still a far cry from your typical “Avengers” movie. So buckle up as we take you through a journey of the average of how much it costs to make cinema magic.Continue reading Average Movie Budget — How Much Do Movies Cost to Make?
