What is Development Hell — Where Projects Go to Die

Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms Film Crew Positions Perhaps you’ve just heard about a new movie in the works with your favorite director– you immediately make a mental note of excitement, quietly counting down the days until it hits theaters, but then a year almost passes and… there’s no movie to be found. What… Continue reading What is Development Hell — Where Projects Go to Die

What is a Cult Classic — The Allure of Fringe Films

Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms Film Crew Positions In cinema, there exists a niche that often goes unnoticed by the mainstream yet holds a magnetic allure for those who discover it: the realm of cult classics. These films may not have garnered immediate acclaim or box office success, but over time, they’ve managed to… Continue reading What is a Cult Classic — The Allure of Fringe Films

What is a Second Unit Director & What Does a Second Unit Do?

Directorial DepartmentOpen menu What Does an Assistant Director Do What Does a 2nd Assistant Director Do What is a Casting Director What is a Second Unit Director What Does a Director Do Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions If you’ve ever heard the terms ‘second unit’ or ‘second unit director’ thrown around without knowing what… Continue reading What is a Second Unit Director & What Does a Second Unit Do?

What is the Studio System — Hollywood’s Studio Era Explained

Before The Walt Disney Company owned a bunch of companies, and before other film studios and companies were being bought by other big companies, there was the classic Hollywood studio system. What is the studio system? While it would be easy to simplify it as the time when movie studios owned the theaters that would… Continue reading What is the Studio System — Hollywood’s Studio Era Explained

How Long is a TV Show Script — Half-Hour and Hour Formats

How long is a television script? If you want to write a television pilot, you will want to ensure that your script follows all formatting and length guidelines. But knowing exactly how long a television script should be can be more of a challenge than one might expect. In this post, we’ll be breaking down… Continue reading How Long is a TV Show Script — Half-Hour and Hour Formats

The Complete Guide to Mastering Script Breakdown Elements

Cast. Props. Animal Trainers. Child Actor Trainers. They’re all production elements that make up a scene breakdown sheet. Now we’re going to dive into the details and guide you through the complex process of sorting and categorizing your script breakdown elements. Is sound the same as music? Where does set dressing end and props begin?… Continue reading The Complete Guide to Mastering Script Breakdown Elements

What is a Showrunner — What it Means to Literally Run the Show

Television shows have a lot of moving parts — almost every show employs numerous writers and directors. So, how do you make sure everything functions as it should while guaranteeing the overall creative vision of the series? This is the job of a showrunner — a position more like the conductor of an orchestra. We’ll… Continue reading What is a Showrunner — What it Means to Literally Run the Show

What is a Show Bible — Examples and FREE Template

A show bible is an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production. But what is a show bible? And why is it an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production? We’re going to answer those questions. Then we’ll show you some show bible examples. By the end, you’ll know why these documents are important and… Continue reading What is a Show Bible — Examples and FREE Template

Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)

Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms Film Crew Positions On a low-budget independent film with a scaled back crew, there are not too many film crew positions to keep track of. When we start looking at larger productions, however, the amount of distinct film crew positions can balloon to massive numbers. Gaining an understanding of… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)

Photoshoot Call Sheet Template — Free Download and Guide

What is the fastest and most efficient way to clearly communicate all of the vital information about an upcoming photoshoot to all of the necessary people? The answer is: with a call sheet. We created our own custom photoshoot call sheet template, and you can download it for free. We will break down the various… Continue reading Photoshoot Call Sheet Template — Free Download and Guide

What is a Soundstage — Definition, History & Function Explained

EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound  What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer What is a… Continue reading What is a Soundstage — Definition, History & Function Explained

What is a Prop Master — Job Description and Responsibilities

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 Anytime you see an actor handle or interact with an object in a film, that object was carefully picked out and acquired by a… Continue reading What is a Prop Master — Job Description and Responsibilities

What Does a Film Editor Do — Role and Responsibilities

Editorial DepartmentOpen menu Digital Imaging Technician Film Editor Colorist Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Without editors, films would never be made. They are one of the most integral roles of a film’s creation. Like cinematographers, editors are part technicians and part creatives which broadens their responsibilities. What does a film editor do in a… Continue reading What Does a Film Editor Do — Role and Responsibilities