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...
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...
“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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Acquiring film production insurance is a daunting task for many producers. Yet financiers, local governments, and vendors won’t work with you without appropriate coverage. Besides, insuring the production can help you remain profitable despite losses due to schedule delays, re-casting, re-shooting, equipment breakdowns, and a host of other risks. So how do you maneuver through...
Taking on a significant role in the production of a film such as Production Manager or Production Coordinator, is a challenging task with diverse responsibilities. One of those duties is to assemble personnel to work on the hundreds of different aspects making up the film. It’s certainly true that when you’re young, you’ve probably become...
So you’ve finished reading your writer’s script and have prepared your notes and questions. In a way, that was the easy part of the job: now you need to relay your notes to your writer in such a way that he or she accepts them willingly and without feeling defensive. It is not uncommon for...
Is Acting For You?
May 19, 2013
Shooting On Digital vs. Shooting On Film
May 18, 2013
Working With The Hollywood Studio System
May 17, 2013
Is Digital Democratization Of Content A Myth?
May 16, 2013
Selling Your Own DIY DVDs
May 15, 2013
Writing A Script
May 14, 2013
The Importance Of The Paper Trail
May 13, 2013
Take Control Of Your Creative Output Without Losing Your Sanity
May 10, 2013
Gear On The Morning Of The Shoot
May 10, 2013
Chicken Soup for the Screenwriter
May 6, 2013
Do-It-Yourself Distribution Pitfalls
May 4, 2013
Indie Film Production Hurdles
May 3, 2013
Film Production Insurance Primer
Apr 24, 2013
Conventions and Procedures of Hiring a Film Crew
Apr 24, 2013
Script Production: How to Express your Notes to the Writer
Apr 23, 2013