How does a performer, showrunner, director, or writer find an agent? Talent agents connect their clients with auditions, arrange meetings, help negotiate contracts, and they can provide a helpful mentor role for navigating a career in the entertainment industry. Artists tend to think of the “Big 4,” high profile movie talent agencies, but it is possible to find a smaller top talent agency that might be a better fit for where you are in your career. There are many things you can do before you ever connect with an agent to be as ready as possible when it is time…
In World War II’s aftermath, business leaders felt threatened by the shifting landscape of the labor movement. Industries struggled, and workers spoke up—even the film industry is currently impacted by these demands for systemic change. When these workers spoke up, though, lawmakers felt the pressure to respond. As with any major historical movement, it’s not such a simple exchange; that’s where the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 shifts the landscape even more. But exactly what is the Taft-Hartley Act? Keep reading to see how you and your production work under its influence. Continue reading What is the Taft-Hartley Act & What Producers…
The bigger the budget, the more that’s at stake. While many directors never have to worry about films costing over a few million (if that), there are some who regularly operate in the area of $200 million. It begs the question: what is the most expensive movie ever made? We’ve adjusted the budgets of various movies over the years for inflation to give you this list of the biggest budget movies, all leading up to the most expensive movie ever made. Continue reading What is the Most Expensive Movie Ever Made — Top 25 Ranked
If you’re creative, and you envision yourself in a leadership role, you might have thought about how to become a Creative Director. But in addition to having creative vision, to be a creative director requires well-developed soft skills (listening, collaboration). Not to mention, these executive level positions take time to work towards. Let’s look at what is a creative director and how to become one. Continue reading What is a Creative Director — Job Description & Duties Explained
Even if you’re not an actor, you’ve probably heard of SAG-AFTRA. The organization is embedded in the foundations of the entertainment industry, present in almost any high-profile production. Much like the members it represents, SAG-AFTRA has many roles. Let’s take a look at what the organization is, where it came from, and why it’s important.Continue reading What is SAG-AFTRA — Guild History, Eligibility & Membership
Some of the best actors in the business began as child actors. Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Watson are among only a few child actors who are now some of the most wanted actors in Hollywood. Parents with talented children often want to know the process of how to become an actor as a kid. How does working with a child actor differ than working with any other actors? We’ll answer all of these questions in more detail in this article.Continue reading How to Become an Actor as a Kid — 8 Steps for Child Actors
You want to make a movie. You’ve come to the right place! But once you get started, you realize all of the hidden expenses beyond getting a camera and hiring some actors. There’s music involved and perhaps a video clip you need to insert somewhere. Suddenly, that film project costs hundreds more dollars than you were expecting, but never fear! Knowing what Creative Commons is will inevitably help you at some point along your filmmaking journey. So, what is Creative Commons and how can low-budget producers benefit from it?Continue reading What is Creative Commons — How to Borrow and Share…
Production hiring site Staff Me Up is one of the best tools in the industry for anyone looking to find work, and for producers looking for crew. Staff Me Up can be used to find jobs in cinematography, casting, producing, editing, PA work, you name it. You can search by city, state, department, or specific position. From entry-level jobs to highly experienced, Staff Me Up has become a reliable production job website that can help you at any stage of your career. So, how can you get the most out of it? Here are some tips that producers on the…
What is production value? You have heard the term thrown around by filmmakers or in behind-the-scenes videos without knowing exactly what they mean. We will start off with a production value definition, then get into why you want to keep it high, how to improve the production value of independent projects, and we’ll take a look at a few examples of production value in blockbuster films.Continue reading What is Production Value in Film — Low Budget Into High Art
One of the most astounding facts of cinema is how long it takes to produce a movie that runs an hour and a half. How could something rather short in time take years to produce? How long does it take to make a movie? In this article, we’ll break down every phase of the filmmaking production process. We’ll also take a look at how long each phase typically takes in the production of a standard Hollywood studio film. From the birth of the concept to the final cut, here is every phase of the film production timeline. Continue reading How Long…
