EPISODE 1Budget BombshellMeet the team and watch how they must rework their script so that it will fit inside their limited budget.Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this.EPISODE 1Art meets commerceYou have a great idea for a TV show. You’ve already written the pilot, but producers won’t read unsolicited scripts and you’re tired of visualizing the idea in your head. That’s when you decide it’s time to make a proof of concept — a pilot presentation. Where do you begin?The answer is Pre-Production. In the first episode of our Pre-Production web-series, we perform a script breakdown to create a preliminary film…
EPISODE 6MAKING ITThat's a wrap!The official premiere of 'Mental Mistakes'The wait is over! In our final episode, we take a quick look back at the production and discuss takeaways. At the end we show you the fruits of our labor with the premiere of Mental Mistakes. Subscribe on Youtube MAKING IT: EPISODE 6How we got here... and the premiere We developed an idea for a TV show. We wrote the pilot script, and then secured a budget for a pilot presentation. We went through the entire pre-production process from breaking down our script, creating a film budget, hiring key department heads,…
EPISODE 5MAKING ITThe Californian JobFilm Crew Jobs, Equipment, and Production Insurance It's time to build your entire film crew for various jobs and duties, and secure your production equipment. This means camera, sound, and design. Don't forget deal memos and production insurance. Subscribe on Youtube MAKING IT: EPISODE 5How to secure crew and gear up It's time to put together you entire film crew for the various production jobs and duties, but also secure the filming equipment you'll need for the day. This includes your camera, sound, design, grip equipment, craft services, lunch, deal memos, and production insurance. In the fifth episode…
6 EPISODE SERIESMaking It: Pre-Production to PostStory development and film production aren't easy. On the road to learning how to make a movie, the first stop is Pre-Production. Our series takes you step-by-step through the Pre-Production process.6 EpisodesEach episode tracks the Pre-Production process, from script-to-screen.Free TemplatesGantt charts, location scout checklists, actor release forms, crew deal memos, and more! Start WatchingSeries overviewHow to produce a TV show conceptSee an idea go through the entire Pre-Production process.You have ideas for a film or TV show, but you might still have questions on how to plan your production. If you want to be a…
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…
Proper screenplay format is a necessary evil. Some rules are set in stone while others can be left up to a writer’s preference--the lack of consensus can certainly be frustrating.So, what’s a writer to do?The first step is to use a screenwriting program, like StudioBinder. This ensures that most of your formatting concerns are dealt with automatically. With formatting taken care of, you can focus on the writing.In this article, we’re going to walk through some formatting basics and how keyboard shortcuts in StudioBinder make the process even easier.Continue reading How to Format a Script with Keyboard Shortcuts
You’ve written a script or maybe you’re trying to figure out a script’s shot list. You know what the film is about but you’re trying to figure out how to convey the critical context in each scene. Give the audience those important details with an epic establishing shot. So, what is an establishing shot? Well, this post will give our establishing shot definition, along with a ton of examples in the video below. Let’s jump in.Continue reading What is an Establishing Shot? Creative Examples that Set the Tone
Ep1: Film ToneEp2: Prod DesignEp3: Film BlockingEp4: Camera Movement VIEW ALL EPISODES → EPISODE 3Filmmaking techniques: Blocking for directorsHow directors and cinematographers work together to block actors in a scene.FILMMAKING TECHNIQUES: EPISODE 3How directors block actors:In our third episode on Filmmaking Techniques in visual storytelling, we look at another visual element needed to enhance the story: film blocking. Film blocking is not only about where your actors stand, but it's also about directing your audience's eyes to where you want them to look, and what you want them to feel. In this episode, we'll explore the filmmaking techniques that directors employ to plan and execute…
Best Tarantino MoviesQT's Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown Is there any filmmaker whose personality is more apparent when you watch his films than Quentin Tarantino? In his own quirky way, Tarantino has introduced us to some of the most shocking and moving emotional moments on film.Of course, Quentin Tarantino’s writing style is a huge part of what’s made him so successful, but more than that, it is his shot choices that bring the audience deeper into the narrative. Tarantino, like all directors working at the top of their game, uses the camera as his…
