How many times have you watched a movie’s end credits and asked “What’s a Best Boy?” Among the many credited film crew members on a production, the Best Boy title might be one of the most curious, simply because the title indicates so little. You probably have questions like “What is a Best Boy?” and “What does a Best Boy do?” And luckily, we have answers.Continue reading What is a Best Boy in Film? Job Description and Duties Explained
You’ve got some money in the bank, some time on your calendar, and a great short film idea to produce. You’re ready to start making a short film. Now what? If you’ve read our overview of short film pre-production, you already know not to jump too far ahead. Much as you might be tempted to hire your cast and crew, there are a few important things that you need to do first. Let’s go through the whole process step by step, and as we parse it out you’ll find that it’s not so daunting after all.Continue reading Making a Short…
A lot of job titles on a film set come from other industries or traditions, and Gaffer is one of them. The Gaffer is an indispensable part of any production but what is a Gaffer? In this post we’re going to break it all down for you. We’ll talk about where the name comes from, what a Gaffer actually does on set, and how you can take on the role yourself.Continue reading What is a Gaffer? Definition and Job Description Explained
Special effects in film are a crucial component of modern movie-making. They have the power to transport audiences to fantastical worlds, create realistic portrayals of historical events, and add an emotional depth that enhances storytelling. In this article, we will explore what special effects are in film, the different types of special effects that exist, their history in cinema, and their impact on modern-day filmmaking.Continue reading What are Special Effects in Movies — History & Types Explained
The Kanban board has solidified its role as a powerful tool for optimizing workflow and enhancing team collaboration across industries. Originating from Toyota's manufacturing process in the 1940s. The name "Kanban" originates from two Japanese words: “Kan” 看, which means sign, and “Ban” 板, meaning board. Since then, this system has evolved as it has been heavily integrated into various industries from software development to sales to video production. Continue reading What is a Kanban Board — Types & Processes Explained
The role of the DIT is one of the more mysterious roles on a film set. This is primarily due to the fact that there are numerous duties that fall onto a DIT. In today’s digital world, technology is advancing at an incredible rate. And the film industry is no exception. DIT’s are becoming an increasingly important role to bridge the gap between creative minds and the advanced technology being introduced to the industry. For this reason, DIT’s must be an excellent technician, creative, and communicator. In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons why these skills are crucial and how…
Whether you’re a producer, a coordinator, an actor, or a parent of an actor, you’re probably well-versed in the industry-term, ‘call time.’ But if you’re coming to this post being none of these people, or soon to be one of these people, and you have no idea what it is, you can breathe easy. This post answers what is call time, and lets you know where to find it. Continue reading What is Call Time in Production & Why It Matters
Browse Film Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be your best friend. We’ve included as many film terms as humanly possible all on one page, so let’s get into it.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
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 movie roles can balloon to massive numbers. Gaining an understanding of the function of each movie crew member’s role can be a confusing and lengthy endeavor without a proper guide, so we put together the ultimate guide to film crew positions to make this task as simple and intuitive as possible.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)
Unlike painting or writing, which are often done in isolation, making a film requires a team effort. Gaffers, Cinematographers, Best Boys, PAs — but who does what and why? There are few roles in film production more valuable than a 1st AD but what is an assistant director and what does an assistant director do? In this post, we'll detail the role and provide insight into standard assistant director duties to remind you just how important they are. Or, if you're looking to become an assistant director on set, this is your first step in that direction. Continue reading…
