Supplier Agreements
When a production manager or coordinator makes a verbal agreement with suppliers (casting director, caterers, animal handlers, etc.) for a film, the two parties involved must quickly sign a formal Letter of Agreement. Doing so settles the negotiation process. A letter gives both parties peace of mind, commits them to the film project, and moves...
The Stuntman’s Tumble
The set was perfect for the particular scene we were filming. We secured a location in a generating station, which was filled with large machinery, pipes that went in all sorts of directions, and a number of staircases of varying height. With the lighting dimmed, the ambiance of the place was incredible; it was a...
How to Become An Auteur Director
More than half a century ago, the legendary film director and critic Francois Truffaut put forth in the legendary Cahiers du Cinema an equally legendary claim—the auteur theory. There he hailed the film director as the auteur and film as the venue for personal ideas. The director, in other words, is the author of the...
Equipment guide for Key Grips
Buy good equipment As a Key Grip, you need to make a good first and lasting impression with your equipment. Buying professional-looking equipment can help protect you if things go wrong when you are working for someone else, because people equate good-looking equipment with quality. On the other hand, if anything goes wrong, your employer...
Location Management For Production Mangers
The location chosen for filming is an important consideration for the Production Manager. The location serves as the backdrop for the entire film. Typically, shooting on location is less expensive than building a set. Another benefit of shooting on location is that the cast will be able to interact with an authentic landscape. Many factors...
Making Money: The Road To The Box Office
The artistic value of film cannot be denied; for instance, the works of Luis Bunuel, Ingmar Bergman, and even the violent and bloody images of Quentin Tarantino are profound explorations of the human condition. However, the success of a movie is ultimately dependent not on the reviews of the critics but on its performance in...
Is Acting For You?
This article is a guide to determining if you can survive the difficulties of an acting career. Think about how you’d answer the questions below. Do you really love acting? The best thing to do is to focus on your love of acting, not the negatives and disappointments that you’ll inevitably encounter. To engage with...
Shooting On Digital vs. Shooting On Film
In film production, the postproduction process officially starts after the principle wrap is complete. However, the Editor and Editor Assistant have started the process much sooner. Many aspects of postproduction differ from the production process. For instance, postproduction lasts much longer than production, often twice as long, and requires a significantly smaller crew . The...
Working With The Hollywood Studio System
“The Hollywood producer changes the director because the film’s not working. He changes the writer because it’s Tuesday.”– Film industry joke Studio development and the distribution machine Hollywood studios are basically distribution companies that bankroll both development and production within one integrated company. Their strength lies in the fact that they see success in terms...
Is Digital Democratization Of Content A Myth?
Anticipating the future “There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.”—Alfred Hitchcock In the early 2000s, through books such as Lasica’s Darknet: Hollywood’s War against the Digital Generation (2005), we were led to believe that the power of the internet would free up content and democratize filmmaking. These claims were...
Selling Your Own DIY DVDs
You may be able to sell copies of your film on DVD on your own. If this idea appeals to you, here are some tips on how to go about it: Start early, by replicating your own DVDs and selling them during the festival run. If people love your film, they’ll probably want to buy...
Writing A Script
What is a script? At a minimum, scripts are made up of dialogue and audio content. They may also have other information that helps producers, directors and others working on the set see what they need to do and when. Purpose of a script Having a script serves a number of purposes. It helps the...
The Importance Of The Paper Trail
As you make your film, you may be tempted to put off organizing your documentation until later. Fight this temptation with all of your might. After all, a consistently high level of record keeping throughout the filmmaking process can ensure that the production continues smoothly and without confusion. Careful organization can also assure a cheaper...
Take Control Of Your Creative Output Without Losing Your Sanity
The film industry is a minefield today, and the combined pressures of imaginative script creation and successful marketing leaves many of us feeling tired and discouraged. To eliminate the potential for burnout during the long and stressful process of film creation, keep these essential points in mind. Mental Health Usually considered an afterthought by busy...
Gear On The Morning Of The Shoot
Equipment It is not necessarily a good idea to buy your own equipment. This can upset equipment rental companies who are trying to make their own living. However, if you do buy your own equipment, making sure that the equipment looks professional will benefit you in two ways: it will impress the filmmaker with your...
Chicken Soup for the Screenwriter
Scripts are your babies. You create them, nurture them, and polish them into perfect expressions of your creative vision. Sometimes, you do such a good job someone decides to finance a movie based on your baby. It’s the culmination of all your work. It’s also the point where you’re most likely to lose the very...
Do-It-Yourself Distribution Pitfalls
Independent filmmakers face a multitude of theatrical release options. Whether you go the traditional route with full bookings or you’re looking for a one-night showing in the local art house, you can succeed by setting appropriate goals, managing expectations, and avoid these common pitfalls: The Unsuccessful Pitch When trying to distribute your own film, getting...
5 Indie Film Production Hurdles
Over the course of an independent film production, the producer’s responsibilities stretch the gamut from psychologist to policeman to accountant to salesman with a host of other tasks filling the gaps. And while there’s no magic formula to becoming a successful producer, the good ones all share one important characteristic: belief in the film they’re...
