If you've ever heard the terms ‘second unit’ or ‘second unit director’ thrown around without knowing what they mean, then you have come to the right place. We will be breaking down what a second unit is, what it is used for, and what exactly the role of a second unit director entails. We'll also conclude with some tips on how you could become a second unit director. Let’s get to it. Continue reading What is a Second Unit Director & What Does a Second Unit Do?
There are many components that occur behind the scenes of a film that audiences don’t even realize occurs. Sometimes it’s lighting just off frame creating the glow of a fire. Sometimes it’s a giant water rig to create rain. And more often than not, audience’s have no idea that the actor doing that crazy stunt is not the actor at all, but rather a body double. While most of us are aware of the job of a stunt double, there is only one kind of body double that could be on set. Why else would a body double be used?…
Anytime you see an actor handle or interact with an object in a film, that object was carefully picked out and acquired by a single person — the prop master. Films can have an incredible amount of props and each one is important in its own way. Behind it all is a prop master. What is a prop master and why are they important to a production? In this article, we’ll cover how prop masters approach a script, how they acquire props, and the other responsibilities they have on and off set. Continue reading What is a Prop Master —…
Without editors, films would never be made. They are one of the most integral roles of a film’s creation. Like cinematographers, editors are part technicians and part creatives which broadens their responsibilities. What does a film editor do in a film’s production? In this article, we’ll take a look at the role and responsibilities of an editor and what it takes to become one. Continue reading What Does a Film Editor Do — Role and Responsibilities
On a macro level, the creative force behind the visual look of a film falls in the hands of the director and director of photography. However, there is only one person on set responsible for what falls within the four lines of the frame — the camera operator. What is a camera operator in filmmaking? The camera operator is not only responsible for what falls in frame, but also what they leave out. They have various responsibilities that help ensure that they get the shot. We’ll dive into those responsibilities and more in this article. Continue reading What is a…
Filmmaking is an incredibly collaborative art form. It is only achieved through the collaborative efforts of various departments. While all departments are crucial to the success of a film, in this article we will be covering the camera department. What roles are in a camera department? What responsibilities does each position entail? What is the hierarchy of the camera crew on set? We’ll cover all of this and more.Continue reading Camera Crew Positions & Camera Department Explained
Great movies are often praised for incredible direction, cinematography, or performances. But one of the more important aspects of the filmmaking process that unfortunately does not receive proper recognition is costume design. Costume designers are more than just fashion designers. They are storytellers that utilize the craft of fashion design to tell a story. In this article, we’ll take a look at the differences between a fashion designer and costume designer, the responsibilities of a costume designer, and why those responsibilities make them integral to the filmmaking process. Continue reading What is a Costume Designer — Job Description, Duties & Salary
Think of some of your favorite films or television series of all time. Whether they are rooted in fantasy or made to be naturalistic, odds are they required some special effects. To bring those effects to life, a Special Effects Supervisor got the job done. And in this article, we’ll dive into the role and responsibilities of a Special Effects Supervisor and what skills a successful supervisor should possess. Continue reading What is a Special Effects Supervisor — Job Description & Role Explained
One of the great things about cinema is its ability to transport audiences to far and remote places. These places are often a character themselves within the story of a film. Finding these locations is an incredibly important component of filmmaking that is put on the shoulders of a location scout. What is a location scout and why are they critical in the pre-production process of filmmaking? It may be obvious that they find the locations of a film, but they are also responsible for much more. In this article, we’ll analyze the various duties of a location scout as…
You might think you know what a Casting Director does, but you would likely be only partially right. Casting Directors do a lot more than just find actors for film, television, and commercials. In this post we’re going to talk about all the things Casting Directors do — and don’t do. We’ll also discuss casting in film vs. theater, what you need to do in order to become a CD, and how to find jobs in that arena. Continue reading What is a Casting Director — Job Description, Duties & Salary
