Dailies. Maybe you’ve heard the term, maybe you haven’t. They’ve been associated with newspaper dailies– the everyday papers left on your doorstep in the morning. Yeah, not those. What are dailies in film? Well, if you’re new to production, it’s a good idea to know what they are. Let’s quickly go over industry colloquialism.Continue reading What are Dailies in Film? Who Needs Them and Why
When it comes to the glitz and glamour of the movie biz, most people don’t mention film production budget planning--try saying that three times fast.Continue reading Film Budget Planning: How to Effectively Budget a Script Breakdown
Whether you're making a short film or a feature, having an insanely low budget may seem like a road block, but it doesn’t have to be. No budget movies can also cultivate creativity, encouraging a sort of ‘Necessity is the mother of invention,’ mindset. In this mode, you can take your film to unexpected places and surprise yourself. You don't need a ton of money to do this, but there are a few things to make this process easier. Below are some quick zero budget filmmaking tips, or at least as close to zero as possible.Continue reading Zero Budget Filmmaking…
If you’re an aspiring videographer, or even cinematographer, you’ve probably used a gimbal. But if you haven’t...how come? They’ll make your shooting life a whole lot easier. And they're pretty fun to use. So, what is a gimbal? And how can you use them to make your shots just a bit better? Let’s find out.Continue reading What is a Gimbal? How Can You Use Them to Shoot Better Videos
Film producers and directors both have major responsibilities during the filmmaking process, but none is as important as their ability to work together. This post discusses producer vs director responsibilities, addressing the specifics of each role, while also pointing to why their clear communication is critical to the making of a film.Continue reading Producer vs Director: The Roles & Responsibilities Explained
If you’re just learning about cameras, the jargon and technicalities of the equipment could seem a bit daunting. This article defines the front-runner in photography and filmmaking: the DSLR camera. But what is a DSLR camera?This post outlines the mechanics and provides brief comparisons, so you can fully understand what it means to be DSLR.Continue reading What is a DSLR Camera? Understanding Digital SLR & Mirrorless Cameras
Your film budget isn’t complete until you factor in taxes. But what if I told you could magically get some of that moola back? That’s right. I’m talking film tax credits, baby.Continue reading Film Tax Credits: How to Save Money for Your Project
 Moviemaking is a visual medium, and so many of the visuals are determined by the skill of a cinematographer. And who better knows how to become a cinematographer than a working cinematographer himself? Continue reading Cinematography Advice from SNL Director of Photography Alex Buono
The cleanliness of your camera lens affects the quality of your images. It’s as simple as that. But it’s a bit of a double-edged sword because if you clean your lenses too much, or too often, you run the risk of scratching your lens. This post will briefly summarize how to clean camera lenses, with suggestions on where to purchase some of the materials. Let’s jump in. Continue reading How to Clean a Camera Lens: The Do’s and Don’ts
If you want to be a filmmaker or photographer, you should probably know a thing or two about the equipment you’ll be using. The ins and outs of camera systems may seem daunting. And there is a lot to know. But the basics are simple. This article, we tackle what is a mirrorless camera by defining it, and comparing it to the most common digital camera on the market, the DSLR. Let’s jump in.Continue reading What is a Mirrorless Camera? A Quick Overview of the Pros and Cons