The humble film slate, scuffed and scratched and tossed casually aside between setups, is actually a very important piece of equipment that no film set should ever be without. In this post, we’re going to give you an insider’s tour of the slate, officially known as a clapperboard. We’ll show you how to use a… Continue reading The Clapperboard Explained — How to Use a Film Slate
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]
BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What is Post-Production Insert Image What is VFX Insert Image What are Special Effects Insert Image What is Virtual Production Insert Image What is SFX Makeup Insert Image What is CGI Insert Image What is Mocap Insert Image What is Compositing Insert Image What is Matte Painting Insert Image What is… Continue reading What are Special Effects in Movies — History & Types Explained
BasicsOpen menu What is a Green Screen? Blue Screen vs Green Screen DIY Green ScreenOpen menu How to Make a Green Screen Green Screen Color Using a Green ScreenOpen menu How to Use a Green Screen Green Screen Lighting EditingOpen menu Best Green Screen Software Best Green Screen Background Videos How to Use a Green… Continue reading How to Make a Green Screen & DIY Green Screen Hacks
Softboxes are the workhorse of any photography studio. In fact, it would be difficult to find any professional photographer who does not own one. What is a softbox and why are they so crucial for photographers? In this article, we’ll cover the essentials for this type of light and dive into when they should be… Continue reading What is a Softbox Used For in Photography & Lighting Tips
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 the function of each movie crew member’s role can… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)
What is a lined script? How do you make one? And what is it used for? Read on to find the answers to these questions and step-by-step instructions for lining a script. Let’s start with a quick definition. A lined script is a separate version of the screenplay that includes vertical lines denoting how much… Continue reading How to Line a Film Script — A Guide for Script Supervisors
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 TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate… Continue reading What is a Soundstage — Definition, History & Function Explained
If you are new to the world of filmmaking, it is possible to be overwhelmed by the wave of production terminology and industry lingo that you are expected to know. One such term is the Abby Singer shot. You may hear the phrase called out by the 1st AD or another production member, and today,… Continue reading What is an Abby Singer Shot — Definition and History Explained
Think of some of your favorite films or television series of all time. Whether they are rooted in fantasy or made to be naturalistic, odds are they required some special effects. To bring those effects to life, a Special Effects Supervisor got the job done. And in this article, we’ll dive into the role and… Continue reading What is a Special Effects Supervisor — Job Description & Role Explained
One of the great things about cinema is its ability to transport audiences to far and remote places. These places are often a character themselves within the story of a film. Finding these locations is an incredibly important component of filmmaking that is put on the shoulders of a location scout. What is a location… Continue reading What is a Location Scout — Duties & Job Description Explained
Shooting a documentary is very different from shooting a narrative film. In many ways it can be on the cuff, guerilla style shooting. Documentaries can also be made of properly planned and composed shoots. Great documentaries are made of both and thus require an organized documentary shooting schedule. Creating a documentary shooting schedule is an effective… Continue reading How to Create a Documentary Shooting Schedule
What is meal penalty? Well, meal penalty is something cast/crew are sometimes subject to – and it’s certainly something producers don’t want to incur. Meal penalty is the disincentive that keeps producers from overworking their employees – but it’s also something more than that. We’re going to break down meal penalties at the union, state,… Continue reading What is Meal Penalty — CA Lunch Penalty Law Explained
Camera & Lighting DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Best Boy Insert Image Camera Operator Insert Image Director Of Photography Insert Image Focus Puller Insert Image Key Grip Insert Image Gaffer Insert Image Grip Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions If you’re the kind of person who waits through the credits of movies (and if you are,… Continue reading What is a Key Grip — Definition & Job Description Explained
One of the first (and most exciting) parts of starting your own film production company is creating your film production company name. This name is going to reflect your groundbreaking style, show off your professional and one-of-a-kind brand, and set the tone for the projects you’ll take on as your company takes off. It also… Continue reading Film Production Company Names — Creative Ideas & Examples
A film production agreement is an important legal document for writers, directors, producers, and financiers – but what is a film production agreement? We’re going to answer that question by defining the term and its associated contracts. We’re also going to explore some real world examples. By the end, you’ll know why film production agreements… Continue reading Film Production Agreement — A Primer on Film Prod. Contracts
Congratulations! You’ve put together most of the cast and crew for your next project. Director? Check. Heads of departments? Got ‘em. But your lead actor is the highly-coveted [insert your favorite actor here], and they’re not too sure they want in. Yet. What safety net can you offer, say, Jeff Goldblum, in exchange for—you hope—his… Continue reading Pay or Play Contract — How Does It Affect Your Production?
BasicsOpen menu What is a Green Screen? Blue Screen vs Green Screen DIY Green ScreenOpen menu How to Make a Green Screen Green Screen Color Using a Green ScreenOpen menu How to Use a Green Screen Green Screen Lighting EditingOpen menu Best Green Screen Software Best Green Screen Background Videos How to Use a Green… Continue reading How to Use a Green Screen — Setup, Lighting and Creative Uses
Actors far and wide travel to the Big Apple to pursue careers on the stage, and or in front of the camera – but where do they find casting agencies? Well, we’re going to help focus the search by breaking down the best casting agencies NYC edition. By the end, you’ll know where to look… Continue reading Best Casting Agencies NYC Edition — An Actor’s Guide
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, otherwise known as 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… Continue reading How to Use a C-Stand — Parts, Functions & Proper Usage Tips
