How to Make a Call Sheet for Film & TV (Free Example)

  What exactly goes into a call sheet? Which producers’ names go on top?  Where do you put the parking details? Is the lunch menu listed? Fret not, gentle reader. Here is everything you need to know about how to make a call sheet for film and television productions. In this article (and videos), we break down all the components that should be included and best practices to follow.  Continue reading How to Make a Call Sheet for Film & TV (Free Example)

Ultimate Guide to Movie Genres — 90+ Genre Examples for Film & TV

You’re looking for a movie genre list, maybe for inspiration, but every list you find has too broad or hyper-specific categories that it becomes overwhelming. We’ve created the perfect movie and TV genre list that will explain the various categories of film and television with their specific subgenres, and we’ll also include helpful examples for each along the way.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Movie Genres — 90+ Genre Examples for Film & TV

What Does an Executive Producer Do — Film/TV Role Explained

Maybe you work in the industry, or you want to, but you’re not entirely sure how it all works. The terms “executive producer” and “producer” confuse you. You think you know, but you’re not as comfortable with who does what as you’d like to be. No worries! This post answers the question what does an executive producer do? We’ll go over the fundamentals so you can gain some confidence, and aspire to something other than some assistant on a one-time production gig. Let’s jump in.Continue reading What Does an Executive Producer Do — Film/TV Role Explained

Best Stephen King Movies and TV Shows — The Ultimate List

One of the best-known names in horror and one of the 10 highest-grossing American authors across all genres to ever live, Stephen King’s prolific body of work has been adapted numerous times with varying degrees of success. There are dozens upon dozens of books to his name, and his pen name Richard Bachman, and almost as many film and TV adaptations have been made of his writing, with more still in the works. Not every Stephen King movie adaptation has been good, but many of them have. Join us in counting down the top 20 Stephen King movie adaptations.Continue reading…

70 Hilarious Dark Comedy Movies & TV Shows

The best dark comedy movies and TV shows go for the jugular. It’s not enough to just be edgy, or even malicious. You need to tap into deep, disturbing levels of discomfort… and build a summer home.We made the ultimate list of dark comedy movies and TV shows, plus a video essay that takes a deep dive into one dark comedy, The Lobster. Let’s jump into our list of the best dark comedy movies and TV shows.Continue reading 70 Hilarious Dark Comedy Movies & TV Shows

How to Pitch a TV Show Like a Pro [Free Pitch Template]

Preparation is key if you want to know how to pitch a TV show. Thousands of creators each year try to get their TV show ideas in front of major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO. But how do you stand out in a world full of pitches? This guide shows you exactly how to pitch a TV show: from logline and pitch deck to mastering pitch meetings and tailoring your approach for different networks.Continue reading How to Pitch a TV Show Like a Pro [Free Pitch Template]

Michael Scott: How They Created TV’s Funniest Character

Six years after the series finale of The Office, it placed #1 among the most watched TV shows on Netflix. And while there are many reasons for this, the character of Michael Scott has undoubtedly made the show timeless. Whether he is conducting a hilariously pointless meeting, closing a deal at Chili’s, or trying to save the branch from closing, Michael Scott is one of the most original characters in TV.While the hilarity of Michael Gary Scott is completely obvious in retrospect, the writers of The Office had a hard time creating this inimitable character. In fact, The Office was…

How to Write a Script Outline for Film and TV (Free Template and Examples)

The actual writing of your script is the fun part. But, just like any form of writing, you have to know where you’re going first. Organization is important. That's where a script outline comes into play. Understanding your central character’s desire, and capturing the scenarios they attract for themselves, should guide that process.There is no straightforward way to know how to outline a screenplay. But these tried-and-true guidelines will help you crack the structure for your character’s journey.Continue reading How to Write a Script Outline for Film and TV (Free Template and Examples)

TV Commercial Production Prep — From Script to Schedule

If you’ve seen one commercial, you've seen 'em all, right? Not exactly. Each commercial is a unique production and requires everything a short film does. Scripts, shot lists, script breakdowns, shooting schedules, and more. In this post, we break down the TV commercial production process and everything you need to do before the cameras roll.Continue reading TV Commercial Production Prep — From Script to Schedule

How to Create Script Sides for Film & TV [with Examples]

You, a production professional, know how to make script sides.The 2nd AD tells you, “Make script sides and distro when they’re done.” But what if you’re responsible for sending script sides to actors and crew? What are sides, exactly, and why are they so important in production? 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 your productions — and your career — to the next level.Continue reading How to Create Script Sides for Film & TV [with Examples]