So someone forwarded you a production time report (aka the “SAG Exhibit G”) to fill out for your production, and you have no idea where to start? Fear not! You have come to the right place. This quick and easy guide will walk you through everything you need to know.Continue reading The ABC’s of SAG… Continue reading The ABC’s of SAG Exhibit G: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the essentials of film set etiquette is paramount when creating a streamlined production without any obvious hiccups. Our friends at Screencraft have provided a useful 6 step guide on helping your cast and crew learn about film set etiquette.Continue reading 6 Tips For Proper Film Set Etiquette
I think you’ll agree with me when I say that most photographers don’t think about a photo release form after the photoshoot has wrapped. Not surprisingly, you can prevent headaches down the road from past clients by educating yourself on how to use them.Continue reading Why You Should Have a Photo Release Form Template
What exactly goes into call sheet? Which producer’s names go on the top? Where do you put the parking details? Is the lunch menu listed? Fret not, gentle reader.Continue reading The Anatomy of a Call Sheet: How to Make a Call Sheet for Film and TV
Don’t want to fall behind the shooting schedule? Here’s how you can load in and load out more effectively when filming on location.Continue reading How to Load In & Out Without Falling Behind Schedule
Call sheet protocols vary depending on the scale and type of production (documentary, narrative, still, commercial, live etc.). In this article we outline how call sheets are approved on features and television projects.Continue reading How Call Sheets are Approved on Features and Television Shows
Abbreviated DPR or just PR, the daily production report might be the most important documents a producer looks at every day. From video agencies to indie productions, having a up-to-date DPR is necessary for assessing progress, catching inefficiencies, and tracking each production daily expense. In our post, we cover the process with our free production report template… Continue reading The Daily Production Report Explained (with FREE production report template)
So your script is done, and you are about to begin the script breakdown process. In order for the script to import correctly into scheduling software, you must review the script for formatting errors. In this article, we’ll review some of the most common culprits.Continue reading How to Format a Script Before Starting the Script… Continue reading How to Format a Script Before Starting the Script Breakdown
C asting an independent film can be a lesson in the old adage, “You may love filmmaking, but it doesn’t love you back.” You want top talent in your film, but you often don’t have the money or the professional clout to attract them. Many filmmakers take the path of least resistance and end up getting… Continue reading Indie Film Casting Explained: From Casting Calls to Callbacks
So you want run a crowdfunding campaign. You’ve already done your homework of identifying the best crowdfunding platform for your film project. Now what? In Part 2 of our series we’re going to explore the preparation required to organize a successful film crowdfunding campaign.Continue reading Crowdfunding Films Part 2 — Prepping Your Campaign
Maintaining your budget while in production is a stressful but necessary endeavor. In this post we’ll provide a free Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log template to help you actualize your film budget during production.Continue reading Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template)
The barrage of successful film crowdfunding stories may lead many filmmakers to believe crowdfunding is easy money. The truth is that it requires the same level of research and prep a film production requires. In this post we’ll compare some of the top crowdfunding platforms geared for film projects so you can identify the best… Continue reading A Guide to Crowdfunding Films: Part 1 — Choose the Best Crowdfunding Platform
Filmmaking by its very nature is very counteractive toward sustainability. Sets and props are temporarily built, special effects cause chaos, and don’t get us started on plastic water bottles. But green film production is not a myth. Being sustainable with your productions may seem like a daunting task, but with the right steps, it’s very… Continue reading 13 Steps Towards Green Film Production We Can All Take
Filmmaking is not for the faint-of-heart. It is only a matter of time before you work a project that truly tests the limits of your body; the dreaded night shoot. Whether you’re an AD or Producer, we’ll cover production hacks to help you better manage your set during an all-nighter.Continue reading Night Shooting Survival Guide
Utilizing spreadsheet formulas for call times can speed up the process of creating call sheets, but for many AD’s and Production Unit folks, formulas can be intimidating. In this article, we’re going to show you how to setup Excel formulas for staggering call times automatically.Continue reading Staggering Call Time Formulas for Your Next Call Sheet
While the 1st AD (First Assistant Director) is often seen as the person who controls the schedule and logistics on set, the 2nd AD (Second Assistant Director) is just as essential in ensuring a well operated set.Continue reading 7 Pre-Production Hacks for a 2nd Assistant Director
Call sheet formats can vary dramatically depending on the type of project (documentary, narrative, still, commercial, live etc.). We talked to two 1st ADs about their process of creating call sheets and getting them approved.Continue reading How Call Sheets are Approved on Short Form, Music Videos, and Commercials
The screenplay is a black and white blueprint for what you’ll see on screen. Every single element of the film must first be on the page. But the long journey from script to screen is a road paved with many decisions. Those decisions start in the script breakdown. The process of breaking down a script is… Continue reading “Hidden Elements” in a Script Breakdown: How to Read Between the Lines
Staging a fight scene is an undertaking all its own. But once the vision is realized, incredible preparation and planning goes into filming action scenes. Your entire shooting schedule could be affected by these fight scenes and what they demand. There are hidden elements that could prove to be a nightmare in the scheduling process.… Continue reading Breaking Down and Scheduling the Epic Black Panther Fight Scene
Music videos aren’t always easy to plan. It can be a challenge to translate the poetry in the music to screen. But music videos are like mini films, and they all start with a treatment.A producer’s or director’s experience in writing a treatment is invaluable. Treatments can plan and plot the visuals in detail needed… Continue reading How to Break Down A Music Video Treatment When Short on Details
