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… Continue reading Zero Budget Filmmaking Tips: 7 Steps on How To Get That Hollywood Look
Understanding how to write a movie script, also known as a screenplay, can seem daunting at first, but once you understand script format and structure you can then focus on your creativity. We’ll take you through the process of writing a screenplay so that you can begin building that great movie idea into a professional script. Continue… Continue reading How to Write a Movie Script: Screenplay Format and Examples
I think you’ll agree that planning a shoot can be a little scary. Perhaps you know the shots you want, but still worry about everything cutting together in post. After all, it is very hard to think of everything on a stressful shooting day.Continue reading How to Make a Shot List Using StudioBinder’s Shot List Software
Production DepartmentOpen menu What Does a Producer Do What Does an Executive Producer Do What Does a TV Producer Do What is An Associate Producer What is a Line Producer Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Production ResourcesOpen menu Ultimate Location Scout Cheat Sheet Shooting Schedule Template Production Crew Contact List Template Film Budget Template… Continue reading How to Efficiently Schedule a Montage: Pro Tips for Producers & 1st ADs
Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) 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) Create Free Shot List It can be difficult to convey the importance of a landscape or emotion, especially when framing… Continue reading The Wide Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
Types of Camera GearOpen menu Tripod Handheld Drone Dolly Steadicam Crane Shot TypesOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now → If you’re an aspiring videographer, or even cinematographer, you’ve probably used a gimbal. But if you haven’t…how come? They’ll make your shooting life… Continue reading What is a Gimbal? How Can You Use Them to Shoot Better Videos
Production DepartmentOpen menu What Does a Producer Do What Does an Executive Producer Do What Does a TV Producer Do What is An Associate Producer What is a Line Producer Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Production ResourcesOpen menu Ultimate Location Scout Cheat Sheet Shooting Schedule Template Production Crew Contact List Template Film Budget Template… Continue reading Producer vs Director: The Roles & Responsibilities Explained
If you’re just learning about cameras, the jargon and technicalities of the equipment could seem a bit daunting. This article defines the front-runner in photography and filmmaking: the DSLR camera. But what is a DSLR camera? This post outlines the mechanics and provides brief comparisons, so you can fully understand what it means to be DSLR.Continue… Continue reading What is a DSLR Camera? Understanding Digital SLR & Mirrorless Cameras
If you’ve ever used production calendars, you probably have used a Gantt chart. But if you’re sitting there wondering what is a Gantt chart, you’re in the right place. They’re super easy to use tools, that can save you a million headaches when prepping, managing, and even finishing a video project. Let’s see define it… Continue reading What is a Gantt Chart? Your Project Management Solution
Your film budget isn’t complete until you factor in taxes. But what if I told you could magically get some of that moola back? That’s right. I’m talking film tax credits, baby.Continue reading Film Tax Credits: How to Save Money for Your Project
BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur ResourcesOpen menu Essential Cinematography Books Top 100 Cinematography Films Videography Contract Template Best Cinematography Schools How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild Best Cinematography Online Courses E-BooksOpen menu FREE E-Book: Camera Lenses Explained FREE E-Book: Exposure… Continue reading Cinematography Advice from SNL Director of Photography Alex Buono
Screenplay StructureOpen menu What is The Three Act Structure What is Freytag’s Pyramid What is a Story Mountain Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey What is Save the Cat Dan Harmon’s Story Circle 5 Stages of A StoryOpen menu What is Exposition What is an Inciting Incident What is Rising Action What is the Climax of a… Continue reading What Is a Plot? Types of Plot, Definitions, and Examples
Screenplay StructureOpen menu What is The Three Act Structure What is Freytag’s Pyramid What is a Story Mountain Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey What is Save the Cat Dan Harmon’s Story Circle 5 Stages of A StoryOpen menu What is Exposition What is an Inciting Incident What is Rising Action What is the Climax of a… Continue reading 12 Secrets to Great Exposition in Screenwriting (w/ Examples)
The difference between a funny movie and a truly great comedy is subjective. So, when it comes to writing a successful comedy, many writers want to appeal to the lowest common denominator. While many screenwriters want to please all, humor isn’t universal. What makes a baby cackle in Albuquerque won’t cut the mustard in Ouagadougou!… Continue reading The Best Comedy Movies of All Time
Production DepartmentOpen menu What Does a Producer Do What Does an Executive Producer Do What Does a TV Producer Do What is An Associate Producer What is a Line Producer Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Production ResourcesOpen menu Ultimate Location Scout Cheat Sheet Shooting Schedule Template Production Crew Contact List Template Film Budget Template… Continue reading What Does a Co-Producer Do? A Quick Overview of the Basics
Call Sheet EssentialsOpen menu What is a Call Sheet Anatomy of a Call Sheet Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets How to Make a Call Sheet Call Sheet Templates Call Sheet Tutorials TipsOpen menu How to Create a Better Call Sheet Best Practices for Sending Call Sheets Staggering Call Time Formulas How Call Sheets are Approved… Continue reading 5 Best Practices for Prepping and Sending Out Call Sheets
The cleanliness of your camera lens affects the quality of your images. It’s as simple as that. But it’s a bit of a double-edged sword because if you clean your lenses too much, or too often, you run the risk of scratching your lens. This post will briefly summarize how to clean camera lenses, with… Continue reading How to Clean a Camera Lens: The Do’s and Don’ts
If you want to be a filmmaker or photographer, you should probably know a thing or two about the equipment you’ll be using. The ins and outs of camera systems may seem daunting. And there is a lot to know. But the basics are simple. This article, we tackle what is a mirrorless camera by… Continue reading What is a Mirrorless Camera? A Quick Overview of the Pros and Cons
One-liners can be hilarious. Other movie one-liners are deep, even dark, while others are just straight up weird. Regardless of the genre, they’re usually remembered long after the movie’s release, and the words can impact an entire generation. Don’t believe me? See if you’ve ever said or heard any of these phrases in conversation. You… Continue reading Comedic and Iconic Movie Lines: The Best One-Liners in Cinema
Literary jargon like plot and story are often used excessively to describe the same thing. But in this post we’re going to define plot in relation to story, so you can understand the difference. But also, understand how they’re connected. So what is plot in a story? Continue reading What is the Plot of a… Continue reading What is the Plot of a Story? Plotting Out the Basics with a Quick Definition
