VFX: How to Use a Green Screen Like a Pro in 4 Easy Steps

"Ahorse walks into a gym" is not the opening of a bad joke. Not for me. See, for me it was the reality I faced in scheduling a complicated VFX composite shot. We had to get a horse on a treadmill in a crowded health club. Just another day for an AD. What is VFX like on a practical level? How do you create cool video effects? I’ll show you how to use VFX, how to use a green screen, and how to plan a composite shot on a deadline. Whether you need a horse on a treadmill for an…

8 Residential Filming Locations for Your Budget in LA

If you’re an independent filmmaker or content creator, you may be looking for cheap filming locations in Los Angeles that still look good. It may be important for your movie location to be in the thirty mile zone.Fact is there are many great property owners who know the needs of filmmakers on a budget. In this post, we’ll take you through some of those residential film locations for rent, and explain why they’re so useful to filmmakers.Continue reading 8 Residential Filming Locations for Your Budget in LA

A Tale of Two Script Breakdowns: Titanic vs. Brooklyn

A script breakdown is one of the most important phases of pre-production. It's usually the first time you start to develop a clear picture of the size, scope, and cost of a production. Breakdowns allow filmmakers to find the balance between telling the strongest story for the lowest budget. Easier said than done, but in today's article (and video!), we'll show you how to budget creatively.Continue reading A Tale of Two Script Breakdowns: Titanic vs. Brooklyn

The Revenant Movie: A Shooting Schedule Nightmare

I think we can all agree that making a movie is hard work. Throw a few bumps in the road and it can get hectic. That’s where having a flexible shooting schedule comes in handy. Today we’re going to go over one of the most insane movie productions ever, The Revenant, and show you how a flexible shooting schedule can help you tame even the wildest production! Continue reading The Revenant Movie: A Shooting Schedule Nightmare

Walkie Talkie Lingo Everyone On-Set Should Know

W hat’s your 20? What does 10-4 mean? Bogey. A walkie-talkie is a powerful tool on a film set. But it’s nothing unless you know the walkie-talkie lingo. Luckily, mastering film set walkie talkie lingo isn’t as hard as finding your film crew. We’ve compiled the most-used walkie talkie codes and radio etiquette tips to have you saying “10-4 over and out” in no time. Continue reading Walkie Talkie Lingo Everyone On-Set Should Know

Customer Success: How Diana Fisk Streamlined the Call Sheet Process

Logistics. Your average filmmaker’s worst nightmare. A good film producer, however, knows that the better organized a shoot is, the better the outcome for everyone involved.Historically this has included number different documents, over numerous different programs. For me personally, it involved spreadsheets, running sheets and never-ending ‘to do’ lists.However, with the emergence of all things tech, things are getting a heck of a lot easier for anyone looking to be more organized on a shoot. Let me show you how.Continue reading Customer Success: How Diana Fisk Streamlined the Call Sheet Process