Ever wondered why certain “hot new TV shows” get a full-on media blitz while others… barely get a bus ad? It’s more than just the luck of the draw, but rather a TV business strategy that starts at an annual event called the TV Upfronts taking place every Spring in New York. But what are… Continue reading What Are Upfronts in TV — How Advertising Works in Television
Most screenwriters write with one singular goal in mind: selling the screenplay they’ve been toiling away on for months (if not years). But what newer writers may not know is that there’s often a step before the official sale. This is called “optioning” and can be seen as a right step on the path to… Continue reading What Does It Mean To Option a Script — A Screenwriter’s Guide
Animation BasicsOpen menu What is Animation Types of Animation What is Pre-Production in Animation What Does an Animator Do What is Cel Animation What is Pixilation Animation What is Tweening in Animation What is Anime What is Claymation What are Keyframe What is Persistence of Vision What is Stop Motion Animation What is Rotoscope Animation… Continue reading What is Pre-Production in Animation — Process Explained
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Top Mood Board Apps What is a Mood Board How to Make a Mood Board Mood Board Layout Mood Board Template Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Fashion Mood Board Aesthetic Mood Board Writer Mood Board Photography Mood Board Interior Design Mood Board Digital Mood Board Graphic Design Mood… Continue reading How to Make a Brand Mood Board — Examples and Techniques
Filmmakers dream of getting the greenlight– the go-ahead from a studio to get started on their project. But even a greenlight doesn’t necessarily mean a movie will see the light of day, or the darkness of a theater. There is still, unfortunately, the possibility of a turnaround. What does turnaround mean in film, and how… Continue reading What is Turnaround in Film — Definition & Examples Explained
Production DepartmentOpen menu Producer vs Director What Does an Executive Producer Do What Does a Producer Do What Does a Co-Producer Do What Does a TV Producer Do What is An Associate Producer What is a Line Producer What is Production Assistant What is an Entertainment Lawyer What Is a Production Coordinator Ultimate Guide to… Continue reading How to Secure Film Locations — FREE Location Release Form
So someone forwarded you a production time report (aka the “SAG Exhibit G”) to fill out for your production, and you have no idea where to start? Fear not! You have come to the right place. This quick and easy guide will walk you through everything you need to know.Continue reading The ABC’s of SAG… Continue reading The ABC’s of SAG Exhibit G — A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Stunts DepartmentOpen menu Stunt Coordinator Stuntman Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Everybody loves a good action movie, and there are very few good action movies without good stunts. Stunts are the backbone of action movies and have been an element of filmmaking from the very beginning. Tons of work goes into creating mind-blowing stunts,… Continue reading What is a Stunt Coordinator in Film — Job Description Explained
Y ou’ve got the green light. Your shoot is coming up. Your next task? Create a script breakdown. The script breakdown sheets are used to determine the shooting requirements of every scene and also inform the budget. But do you know how to break down a script like a seasoned pro? In this post, we’ll… Continue reading How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet)
Shooting Schedule EssentialsOpen menu What Is a Shooting Schedule How to Plan a Film Shoot How to Create Multiple Shooting Schedules How to Create a One Line Schedule What is the Dood Report DOOD Report Explained Shooting Schedule Pro-TipsOpen menu How to Make a Better Shooting Schedule How to Schedule a Musical How to Find… Continue reading What is the Dood Report and How Can It Help My Budget
Ultimate Guide to Production Calendars How to Plan a Shoot Mastering Your Production Calendar How to Use a Production Calendar Template Production has a million pieces and if you’re not careful, dates and segments will fall through the cracks. That’s why producers on feature films and explainer videos use a production calendar. Working from a screenplay,… Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to an Effective Production Calendar
Call Sheet EssentialsOpen menu What is a Call Sheet Anatomy of a Call Sheet Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets How to Make a Call Sheet Introducing SMS Call Sheets TipsOpen menu How to Create a Better Call Sheet Best Practices for Sending Call Sheets Diana Fisk Streamlined Call Sheet Process Staggering Call Time Formulas How… Continue reading Anatomy of a Call Sheet — How to Make a Call Sheet in Film/TV
You, a production professional, know how to make script sides.The 2nd AD tells you, “Make script sides and distro when they’re done.” What are sides? How do you make them? What does distro mean? In this article, we’ll cover how to make script sides like a master. By the end, you’ll be ready to take… Continue reading How to Create Script Sides for Film & TV [with Examples]
So your script is done, and you are about to begin the script breakdown process. For the script to import correctly into scheduling software, you must review the script for formatting errors. In this article, we’ll review some of the most common culprits and how to fix them.Continue reading How to Format a Script Before… Continue reading How to Format a Script Before Starting the Script Breakdown
Art DepartmentOpen menu Art Director Production Designer Prop Master Prop Maker Storyboard Artist Concept Artist Scenic Artist Set Decorator Set Dresser Set Designer Weapons Master Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions You may have watched a film’s end credits and thought to yourself, “What is an art director in film?” After all, numerous industries, such… Continue reading What is an Art Director in Film — Job Description Explained
Screenwriting Software for ProductionsThe Write StuffWrite, share, and collaborate on industry-formatted screenplays, and then begin pre-production. Get Started for Free ▶ Watch Tour Explore WriteExplore all the features in the Write solution ScreenwritingIndustry-formatted scripts DocsShared production notes Story OutlineMap out your plot Browse all solutions ➜ Path to ProductionFrom script through pre-productionStudioBinder’s screenwriting software… Continue reading Screenwriting Software that Composes Your Whole Production
If you are at all interested in the behind-the-scenes side of filmmaking, then you may have heard the terms “above the line” and “below the line” thrown around in interviews, articles, or BTS footage. In this article, we’ll be discussing above and below the line in film and breaking down exactly what above the line… Continue reading Above the Line Film Positions & How They Work in a Budget
EssentialOpen menu What is Creative Commons What is Fair Use What is Public Domain ResourcesOpen menu Creative Commons License Pros and Cons How Copyright Free Music Works How to Copyright a Script How to Find Award-Worthy Script Ideas from The Public Domain Best Public Domain Movies In a world of Tik Tok duets, sampled music,… Continue reading Creative Commons License — Pros and Cons Explained
If you have a great concept for a film, odds are you want to tell it immediately. That’s good, but even better is writing with a plan — and that means a great film treatment. Continue reading How to Write a Film Treatment (FREE Film Treatment Template)
Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu What is a Storyboard Best Storyboard Software What is a Storyboard Artist Websites to Find a Storyboard Artist Storyboard Classes Online What is a Digital Storyboard Introducing Storyboard Builder Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Storyboard Dimensions What is an Animatic What is an Animation Storyboard Storyboard Montage Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Composition… Continue reading 8 Websites to Find a Storyboard Artist for Hire
