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?
How do people make movies? Writers, actors, directors, surely play a part, but there’s something more important than a movie’s creators, and that thing is money. Movies need money; that’s an irrefutable fact. And it’s the sole goal of the financier(s) to get a positive return on their investment. We’re going to look at how producers use production budgets to outline a course to positive net return. We’re also going to break down movie production budgets at three levels: low, mid, and high end. By the end, you’ll know how production budgets are made and the most expensive movies of…
So you want to become a producer. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Producing and directing jobs are projected to grow 24% over the next decade, 16% faster than the median growth rate, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We’re going to give you some tips and tricks on how to become a producer by looking at statistics and anecdotes from professional producers. By the end, you’ll know several strategies for how to become a movie producer in Hollywood.Continue reading How to Become a Producer — Career Tips to Start Producing
You may have heard Tom Cruise’s famous rant at some of the crew on his latest Mission: Impossible sequel. Cruise was upset that people weren’t respecting the rules the COVID-19 virus has dictated for film production. But just what are these rules anyway? In this post, we’ll talk about working in production during COVID. We’ll explain what a COVID Compliance Officer does, where to get COVID Compliance Officer training, and we’ll look at some of the ways your set operates differently from during normal times.Continue reading What is a COVID Compliance Officer — Set Protocols Explained
At one point or another, everybody in film production has asked the question “what is craft services?” Well, what is craft services? We’re going to answer that question by defining craft service. We’re also going to break down the difference between craft service and catering. By the end, you’ll know everything there is to know about food on set. Continue reading What is Craft Services on a Movie Set — Film Prod. Essentials
