Assistant Directors (the 1st AD) are one of the most valuable crew members on any production. Your 1st AD is responsible for on-set communication, department coordination, maintaining the shooting schedule, conflict resolution, and safety. Continue reading 13 Ways You Can Become a Better 1st AD
When was the last time you shed a tear while watching a film? Can you recall the specific scene? Many describe this as a “good cry.” How can a cry be good? Many people have pent-up emotions from various events in life. Art can evoke an emotional release of these emotions, also known as catharsis. The experience of catharsis can be overwhelmingly emotional. Films that create catharsis can move an audience to tears while also leaving them completely satisfied. What is catharsis, and how is this possible? Let’s explore the catharsis definition and how it applies to storytelling.Continue reading What…
Distribution is an integral part of the film industry; without it, a film doesn’t get seen. Yet for many filmmakers starting out their careers, the distribution process is murky and intimidating. This is compounded by film distribution’s rapidly shifting status in the age of streaming. So what is film distribution? How does it work, what is its history, and what is its future?Continue reading What is Film Distribution — The Ultimate Guide for Filmmakers
Your film scheduling software might be able to juggle your cast, crew, and locations perfectly. You may even be using an excellent shooting schedule template. But here’s the truth. Even if the logistics are rock solid, your schedule may not be. Here are ten pro tips to help you create a shooting schedule that actually builds momentum on set. Continue reading 10 Shooting Schedule Pro Tips to Build Momentum on Set
If you're new to script writing, getting started can be a daunting task. Creating an accurately formatted screenplay requires scriptwriting software and some options out there can cost a bundle. We’ll take you through all the screenwriting software options, from free to a fortune, so you can decide which script software is best for you. Continue reading 7 Best Script Writing Software for Professional Screenwriters
It’s easy to mix up the different types of camera shots and types of angles. To make a shot list, a filmmaker or video creative must know the classic types of shots based on attributes like shot size, shot framing, camera movement, camera mechanisms, and depth of field. We'll break down all the camera shots, camera angles, and camera techniques that you need to know for your next film or music video. We also include camera shot examples from famous movies to help solidify all the discussed cinematography techniques. Continue reading 50+ Types of Camera Shots, Angles, and Techniques
Shooting projects on a budget can mean limitations on your gear. So how can you maintain a “cinematic” look without a cube truck full of lighting equipment? In today’s post, we’ll examine what exactly it means to have a cinematic look. Then we’ll break down several lighting techniques that are achievable on any budget. Although cinematic lighting is predicated on creative interpretation, these principles of film lighting can form the basis of your creative choices. To show this, we’ve taken several examples of how the best DPs (directors of photography) create specific cinematic effects with thoughtful lighting setups of their…
Did you finally get the green light? Before hitting the accelerator make sure to grab a pre-production checklist for your upcoming tasks.Missing one step during pre-production can mean disaster on set, legal issues down the road, and damage to your overall career trajectory as a filmmaker. A thorough film pre production checklist can prevent costly delays and ensure your production runs smoothly.Missing one step during pre-production can mean disaster on set, legal issues down the road, and damage to your overall career trajectory as a filmmaker.That’s why we put together the ultimate pre-production checklist (including a free checklist you can…
When writing a screenplay, it is key to be clear about the story you are telling and what is visually being conveyed. It is also important to be concise and effective with your writing. To execute both of these aspects effectively, it's important to understand how to write a scene heading in a script. Continue reading How to Write a Scene Heading in a Script — Tips & Formatting
The Best Breakup Scenes? Classifying on-screen heartbreak into a “best” category may be a little callous. But just like your ex, we’re going to do whatever we want, anyway! Just kidding. We made a list of the saddest movie breakup scenes in recent years. So however you choose to judge those gut wrenching moments in cinema, the ones that capture the truth and rawness of what breakups actually feel like, you can check them out below. The saddest ones are often the ones that have no makeup scene to follow. Of course, we added those scenes in too, for the…
