What is a lined script? And what does it have to do with your shot list?On the surface, a shot list is exactly what it sounds like. A list of shots that communicates to your crew what camera shots you intend to get. Yet we all know once you get to set, issues arise and something always has to give. And that something is often your favorite camera angles.But with a little forethought and a lined script, we can prepare our shoot to make sure we get everything we need. Here's how you do it.Continue reading How to Make a Lined Script…
The film location scout has found the ‘perfect’ place for next week’s shoot. Sure it may fit the scene, but what if they’ve overlooked some important considerations that could potentially ruin a shoot day? It’s your responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen.Continue reading The Ultimate Location Scout Cheat Sheet for Producers and ADs (with free checklist)
Utilizing spreadsheet formulas for call times can speed up the process of creating call sheets, but for many AD's and Production Unit folks, formulas can be intimidating. In this article, we're going to show you how to setup Excel formulas for staggering call times automatically. Continue reading Staggering Call Time Formulas for Your Next Call Sheet
We’ve noticed a shift in content throughout the digital age. Filmmakers spend years studying traditional filmmaking only to find that some viewers now prefer web-based content over traditional film and TV. Continue reading Make a YouTube Web Series to Get Noticed as a Filmmaker
Tell me if this sounds like you: You're building an entertainment career. You get gigs here and there, maybe on set or in a production office, but you're hunting for a new job every week - maybe even the next day. I've been there, so I am going to share with you some of my personal experiences from building my own entertainment career through a number of film production jobs, all so that you can learn the pitfalls... and successes. Get ready, because you are now officially inside the Hollywood trenches. Welcome to the party, pal. Continue reading How to…
Creating a film is an exciting endeavor, but along the way it’s inevitable to hit logistical aspects that can discourage your ambitions. Film permits, for any filmmaker, can inevitably be one of these obstacles. Can I shoot here? What do I need to do to shoot here? Will I get in trouble? These are all fair worries in the world of filmmaking. Let’s look at the solution to these worries — learning how to get a film permit. Continue reading How to Get a Film Permit — A Step-by-Step Breakdown
In the world of cinema, no budget filmmaking has carved out a unique niche, offering a platform for innovative storytelling outside the constraints of traditional film production. In this article, we’ll look into the history and evolution of no budget filming as well as some of the most influential no budget films.Continue reading No Budget Films — How to Make a Movie for (Almost) Free
As a 1st Assistant Director, it's your responsibility on set to make sure the production doesn't fall too far behind schedule. In this article we explore best practices to help you wrap on time. Continue reading 4 Tips To Wrap Your Film Production On Time
Are you sure you own your movie? You may be shocked to learn that without release forms from each of your actors, your film does not belong to you. Fortunately, we’ve got an actor release form template you can use, and a handy guide to help you use it. That way, all your hard work making your film won’t go to waste.Continue reading The Complete Guide to Actor Release Forms (FREE Template)
What would you consider the most versatile tool on a set? Most filmmakers and grips would probably come to the same conclusion — the C-stand. C-stands are the workhorse of a film production. They are the humble heroes that can impact both the quality of a shot as well as the safety of a set. In this article, we’ll cover the most common ways of how to use a C-stand on a set and the fundamental steps to setting one up. Continue reading How to Use a C-Stand — Parts, Functions & Proper Usage Tips
