Film is a uniquely visual storytelling medium. Everything you see within the frames of a shot is carefully thought out by someone behind the scenes. More often than not, these details in the frame come from the art department. An art department is responsible for the larger creation of a film set as well as… Continue reading The Art Department in Film — Guide to Positions, Duties, Salary
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? DP Wally Pfister Explains
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
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?
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
You think you know what gaffer tape is, but do you really? In this post we’re going to explain everything you should know about gaffer tape: what is gaffer tape, how does it work, and why is it so bloody expensive. You’ll learn how to tear it off the roll, how to make cables safe for… Continue reading What Is Gaffer Tape Used For? A Film Set Essential Explained
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
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
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)
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
The short answer to the question, “What is a Grip?” is that a Grip on a film crew is someone who moves lighting equipment around. But there’s more to being a Movie Grip than simply taking gear from one spot to another. In this post we’ll answer the questions “What is a Film Grip?” and… Continue reading What is a Grip on a Movie Set? Job Description and Duties
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?
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
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,… Continue reading What is a Gaffer? Definition and Job Description Explained
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
While film producers and tv producers are very similar, there are some key differences. If you want to work in TV, you should know what they are. This article gives a brief overview this producer and answers “what does a tv producer do.” Let’s get started.Continue reading What Does a TV Producer Do? A Brief… Continue reading What Does a TV Producer Do? A Brief Overview
Before a screenplay is crafted by underpaid writers, it starts as a logline. At any stage of a production, a logline is a tool used to sell your idea.Continue reading How to Write a Logline Producers Won’t Pass On [with Logline Examples]
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
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)
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
