Film Crew

What is Below the Line in Film & Which Crew Members Qualify?

What is below the line? If you are at all interested in the behind-the-scenes side of filmmaking, then you may have heard the terms “above the line” and “below the line” thrown around in interviews, articles, or BTS footage. Today, we’ll be providing a below the line definition, explaining where the term comes from, and… Continue reading What is Below the Line in Film & Which Crew Members Qualify?

Sam Kench

Above the Line Film Positions & How They Work in a Budget

If you are at all interested in the behind-the-scenes side of filmmaking, then you may have heard the terms “above the line” and “below the line” thrown around in interviews, articles, or BTS footage. In this article, we’ll be discussing above and below the line in film and breaking down exactly what above the line… Continue reading Above the Line Film Positions & How They Work in a Budget

Sam Kench

What is a Colorist in Film? Duties, Salary & How to Become One

With advancements in digital technology in filmmaking, filmmakers have more control over color than ever. Hues, tones, and palettes can be changed to create a stylized look that tells a story. The role responsible for creating a visual color scheme to tell a story is the Colorist. Directors and cinematographers are praised for their use… Continue reading What is a Colorist in Film? Duties, Salary & How to Become One

Kyle DeGuzman

What Does a 2nd Assistant Director Do? Job Duties Explained

When first stepping foot on a professional film set, there is a wealth of industry-specific terminology that you will be expected to know. All of these terms, titles, and phrases can be overwhelming at first but by familiarizing yourself with all of this terminology in advance, you’ll give yourself a leg up. In this article,… Continue reading What Does a 2nd Assistant Director Do? Job Duties Explained

Sam Kench

What Does a Cinematographer Do? What They Consider and Why

Cinematographers obviously play a vital role in making a film, but what decisions do they make on a daily basis? The cinematographer’s primary goal is to capture the director’s vision. Using lighting, camera, and composition techniques, a DP translates that vision into images. This post goes over the common considerations with explanations from working professionals.… Continue reading What Does a Cinematographer Do? What They Consider and Why

StudioBinder

Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)

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)

Sam Kench

What is a DIT in Film — Definition, Job Description, and Salary

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… Continue reading What is a DIT in Film — Definition, Job Description, and Salary

Kyle DeGuzman

Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing — What’s the Difference?

Storytelling may start with an idea and a script. Along the way, it may garner tons of attention and praise for its directing and star-studded cast. But what can sound do for a story? Sound design involves much more than level dialogue and explosions. It’s highly technical, but requires an enormous amount of creativity. If… Continue reading Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing — What’s the Difference?

Alyssa Maio

What is a Best Boy in Film? Job Description and Duties Explained

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… Continue reading What is a Best Boy in Film? Job Description and Duties Explained

Rafael Abreu

Production Assistant Job Description & Duties: A Producer’s Guide

Production assistants are integral to a shoot whether it’s for a film, TV show, music video, or commercial, but it’s hard to learn an entry-level job when you can’t get your foot in the door. You may be looking to book your first PA gig, or you’ve already had a few production assistant jobs but… Continue reading Production Assistant Job Description & Duties: A Producer’s Guide

StudioBinder

Ultimate Guide to Working with Unions: Grieved and Flipped

Choosing to work with Hollywood’s unions is a major decision for any filmmaker or producer. There are pros and cons to joining or not joining. The choices you make at the start could have far-reaching consequences for your film. If you make the wrong decision, you may find yourself in unchartered waters. Your crew members may… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Working with Unions: Grieved and Flipped

Herman Wilkins

Ultimate Guide to Script Supervisors (FREE Script Supervisor Template)

We’ve all seen a continuity error in a film or noticed a plot hole at some point. The fact that you don’t see hundreds of them is because productions hire someone to pay attention to the details of a script. This person on set is known as the script supervisor. We’ll go over what a… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Script Supervisors (FREE Script Supervisor Template)

Matt Rickett

What Is a Production Coordinator? Salary & Job Description

Most people typically think of the more creative side of the production process such as cinematography, directing, or writing. Although these are immensely important, there is a side behind the scenes of a production that must be kept in order for a production to run smoothly. That would be the much less glamorous, but still… Continue reading What Is a Production Coordinator? Salary & Job Description

Kyle DeGuzman

What Does a Director Do? The Film Director’s Job Description

Knowing precisely what a director does in every stage of a production’s life cycle is vital to your success in the industry. A director’s job description involves participation in nearly every phase of a project. Because the director’s vision largely impacts the final product, directors work closely with department heads and technicians to bring it… Continue reading What Does a Director Do? The Film Director’s Job Description

StudioBinder

What Does a Producer Do: The Various Types of Producers in Film & TV

What does a producer do, exactly? More to the point, why are there so many different types of producers in film, TV, and video production? Do you know the difference between a producer versus an executive producer? How about a co-producer, associate producer, or TV producer? Some of the distinctions won’t be cut-and-dry, but understanding… Continue reading What Does a Producer Do: The Various Types of Producers in Film & TV

StudioBinder

How to Become a Casting Director For Movies — A Step-By-Step Guide

Casting is an art of its own. At the most fundamental level, casting directors are in charge of building a team. At the most sensitive level, casting directors hold the “keys to the city,” determining who gets put forward for a gig and who doesn’t. From running auditions to negotiating contracts, CDs are the people… Continue reading How to Become a Casting Director For Movies — A Step-By-Step Guide

backstage

The Clapperboard Explained — How to Use a Film Slate

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 the insider’s tour of the slate. We’ll show you how to use a film slate on set, including how… Continue reading The Clapperboard Explained — How to Use a Film Slate

Kim Leonard