What would you consider the most versatile tool on a set? Most filmmakers and grips would probably come to the same conclusion — the C-Stand, otherwise known as the workhorse of a film production. They are the humble heroes that can impact both the quality of a shot as well as the safety of a… Continue reading How to Use a C-Stand — Parts, Functions & Proper Usage Tips
Afilm set is a unique world that has to be experienced to be understood. There is a steep learning curve that comes with every film production. It can take many years before anyone is completely at home on set, and to master the plethora of film and cinematography terms.Continue reading Cinematography and Film Terms Every… Continue reading Cinematography and Film Terms Every Working Filmmaker Should Know
Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Close-Up (CU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now Extreme close-up… Continue reading Extreme Close-Up Shots: Creative Examples That Work
Film and video productions are hectic! Having the right production management software sets the tone for how organized and efficient your shoot will be.Continue reading 6 Best Production Management Software for Video & Film (2022)
Are you sure you own your movie? You may be shocked to learn that without release forms from each of your actors, your film does not belong to you. Fortunately, we’ve got an actor release form template you can use, and a handy guide to help you use it. That way, all your hard work… Continue reading The Complete Guide to Actor Release Forms (FREE Template)
The internet is chock full of video content. The challenge remains: how can YOU create content that will cut through all the noise? The best drone footage is how. Imagine if I told you about a way your content could literally SOAR above all the rest with one easy to find tool? That tool? The… Continue reading Epic Drone Shots Mashup: The Best Drone Footage of 2022
Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now The dolly zoom is one of the most discussed cinematic techniques. You can use them in many ways, but a great director will find… Continue reading What is a Dolly Zoom (Zolly Shot) — Scene Examples of the Vertigo Effect
We know shooting in the rain can be tricky. Our friends at Zacuto have provided a handy 9-step guide on how to effectively prep for shooting in the rain.Continue reading A Filmmaker’s Guide To Shooting In The Rain
So you’ve done everything you can think of to prep during pre-production. You now find yourself on set. Here are 8 production hacks for a 2nd AD to put into practice immediately. This is a companion to piece to 7 Pre-Production Hacks for 2nd AD’s. If you haven’t had the chance to give it a read, check it out!… Continue reading 8 Production Hacks for a 2nd AD Shooting on Location
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)
As a 1st Assistant Director, it’s your responsibility on set to make sure the production doesn’t fall too far behind schedule. In this article we explore best practices to help you wrap on time. Continue reading 4 Tips To Wrap Your Film Production On Time
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
Car chase scenes are fantastic, but they are probably one of the most difficult things to capture. Even if you end up with a relatively successful experience on set, how can you be sure it will work in the edit?Continue reading How to Shoot The Best Car Chase Scene [Mad Max: Fury Road Example]
Tell me if this sounds like you: You’re building an entertainment career. You get gigs here and there, maybe on set or in a production office, but you’re hunting for a new job every week – maybe even the next day.I’ve been there, so I am going to share with you some of my personal… Continue reading How to Step Up Your Entertainment Careers: TFHT
The project’s been green lit. The script’s been finalized. I’m going to hold an open casting call! Not so fast. If you’re not careful, your open casting call can be disorganized and rushed, netting you less than amazing actors.Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to Auditions [FREE Casting Sheet Template]
An audience may sit through poor picture quality, but they will rarely tolerate flawed poor sound. It is more than 50 percent of your project. Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Sound Recording: Audio Gear and Techniques
You grew up watching the best fight scenes and loved every bone-cracking minute of them. They are one of the reasons you became a filmmaker, and perhaps you’ve already put together a few of your own. But for some reason… they just don’t play the way you had hoped. It’s not like you don’t know how… Continue reading How to Shoot the Best Fight Scenes Like Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes
Film blocking is arguably one of the most important things a Director must do on set. Think of it as a carefully choreographed dance where the camera and subject move together in harmony.Continue reading 3 Ways To Make Your Film Blocking More Interesting
“Ahorse walks into a gym” is not the opening of a bad joke. Not for me. See, for me it was the reality I faced in scheduling a complicated VFX composite shot. We had to get a horse on a treadmill in a crowded health club. Just another day for an AD. What is VFX like… Continue reading VFX: How to Use a Green Screen Like a Pro in 4 Easy Steps
Your production shooting schedule is a living document. Developed by the 1st Assistant Director and producer during pre-production, the shooting schedule must accommodate changes in the shooting script, talent, locations, gear, as soon as they pop up. Continue reading How to Make a Better Shooting Schedule with a Stripboard
