Do You Need a Film Editing Degree?
Posted: 07/23/2012
Perhaps you’re considering a career as a film editor, and you’re wondering whether you need to go to college and earn a film editing degree. Editing is both a technical skill and a creative one; you need to possess the patience to weed through hours of unusable footage while having a keen eye for the right footage to tell the director’s story. Read More
On Becoming a Screenwriter
Posted: 07/10/2012
If you are pursuing a dream of becoming a screenwriter, you’re embarking on a potentially exciting adventure. While many aspiring screenwriters put a lot of time and unrewarded effort into their scripts at the beginning, selling that first screenplay can be the most fulfilling moment of your life—and once you build a reputation as a screenwriter, the jobs can develop into a lucrative career. Read More
What’s Better to Get a Job in Film: A Degree or Experience?
Posted: 02/27/2012
This is a question that is being asked more and more by aspiring filmmakers. While it is frequently assumed that with filmmaking (like with other professions), getting a degree is important to launching a career in film, and perhaps even mandatory. However, when you look at the body of evidence surrounding the film industry and film schools in general, there are a number of things that fly in the face of that belief. Read More
Advantages to Learning Final Cut Pro
Posted: 01/07/2012
While Final Cut Pro is definitely a leading program on the market, there are other competitors, some of which have a loyal following with filmmakers. These include Adobe Premiere and Avid Media Composer, among others. In many cases, which one is the best becomes a matter of personal preference, and as you learn a variety of programs in your experience as a filmmaker, you might even find you prefer another brand for certain reasons. However, because it is so widely used, there are still distinct advantages to learning Final Cut Pro as a filmmaker:Read More
What’s Better to Get a Job in the Film Industry: Degree or Experience?
Posted: 01/06/2012
The fact is, the film industry is a whole different animal, with no set pathway to success. For every successful film director who went to film school, you can find some other successful film director who didn’t. The same holds true with producers, editors, production designers, etc. Apparently, getting a degree in film is not mandatory to get a job in the film industry, because people with little or no academic experience get hired in this business all the time. Read More
Should I Learn Adobe Premiere Pro?
Posted: 01/05/2012
Since Adobe Premiere is basically a competitor with Final Cut, they essentially accomplish the same functions with video editing, and when one surpasses the other in a certain type of functionality, the issue is usually addressed in the latest upgrade. Both programs are similar in that they can be stand-alone, or bundled with a suite of related products within their brand. The primary differences between them are that Final Cut, being owned by Apple, is strictly a Mac-based application… Read More
Should I Learn Final Cut Pro as a Filmmaker?
Posted: 01/04/2012
Unlike Apple’s consumer-friendly iMovie software, Final Cut is an expansive pro-line program with a wide range of editing features, able to process video shot in a variety of formats, including HD. Final Cut can be found in several forms; there is a “lite” version, Final Cut Express, and a “Final Cut Studio” which bundles Final Cut Pro with related Apple programs such as Soundtrack Pro, Color and Cinema Tools. Read More
How to Learn Film Producing
Posted: 11/09/2011
Writing with a partner can have its upsides and downsides. The rewards usually outweigh the negative aspects. When you collaborate, you have two (or more) minds working towards the same goal. Making your screenplay the best possible work. You can run ideas off each other, and be able to realize what works, and what might not. Read More
What Does a Gaffer Do?
Posted: 11/09/2011
To say it simply, the gaffer is the chief lighting technician of a film crew, and sometimes the traditional name “gaffer” is dropped in favor of the more official lighting technician. If it has to do with lighting, the gaffer is in charge of it. This means the gaffer not only has to have mastery over the vast array of lights, lighting equipment, and lighting techniques that may be used while filming, but the position also requires knowledge of the set and requirements of the script and the director. Read More
How the Internet has Changed Movies
Posted: 11/09/2011
To say it simply, the gaffer is the chief lighting technician of a film crew, and sometimes the traditional name “gaffer” is dropped in favor of the more official lighting technician. If it has to do with lighting, the gaffer is in charge of it. This means the gaffer not only has to have mastery over the vast array of lights, lighting equipment, and lighting techniques that may be used while filming, but the position also requires knowledge of the set and requirements of the script and the director. Read More
How the Internet has Changed Movies
Posted: 11/09/2011
Most people never realize it, but when they watch a film, it’s not only the work of the screenwriter and the director that they are watching, but a conglomeration of many minds working together in precision to create the epic on the screen. But sorely overlooked by those who do not understand the making of a movie is the script supervisor. That extremely organized and talented individual is there to ensure that the film flows continuously without gaps, seams or illogical movements. Read More
How to Start Up Your Own Business in Film
Posted: 11/09/2011
Are you wondering how to start up your own business in film? Once upon a time, such a thing would have been hard to imagine. But today’s digital world makes it easy (okay, easier) for entrepreneurs to use their talents and resources to create their own businesses, even within the rather insular world of Hollywood. There are a nearly unlimited number of businesses one could create. On the technical side, movies require lighting, cameras, sound equipment. Read More
So You Want to Be a Camera Assistant?
Posted: 11/09/2011
The camera assistant position is similar to that of a production assistant because each one’s job is to make things go smoothly on the set. The camera assistant differs because that person’s focus is on the camera operator. Some technical know-how is helpful but if you can catch on quickly, you can be taught to be an AC. Do your research. Find out what a camera assistant does. It would help if you took a class or read a book about cameras and lighting. Read More
Protecting a Script or Screenplay
Posted: 11/09/2011
Hollywood is a den of thieves, a wretched hive of scum and villainy, and anyone attempting to break into the film industry might be aware of the importance of protecting a script from being ripped off outright, or even just shamelessly imitated without compensation to the originator of the filmic concept. The simplest and most effective way of protecting a script is to register it with the Writers Guild of America, but this by no means offers an intellectual property blanket protection. Read More
Gaffer – The Head Electrician
Posted: 11/09/2011
A gaffer in the motion picture industry is the head of the electrical department, responsible for the execution (and sometimes the design) of the lighting plan for a production. Gaffers are responsible for knowing the appropriate color of gel (plastic sheeting) to put on the lights or windows to achieve a variety of effects, such as transforming midday into a beautiful sunset. They can re-create the flicker of lights in a subway car, the motion of light inside a turning airplane, or the passage of night into day. Read More
Careers in Film – The Big Three
When most people think of the movie business, three positions typically come first to mind–producers, directors, and actors. And it’s no surprise why–these three professionals have the most control over any given movie. They are typically credited with a film’s success–or blamed for its failure. If you are looking to enter the movie business and are interested in pursuing one (or more) of these three careers, here are the things you should know about what will be expected of you.Read More
Careers in Film for Storytellers
With giant screens and the ability to present dazzling special effects, audiences want to be wowed by what they see on the screen. But all the visual razzmatazz in the world will leave audiences cold if there’s not a good, solid story to take them on a journey. While there are many professionals in charge of creating the look of the film, there are also those whose focus is on the plot.Read More
Qualifications for a Film Industry Career
Many new businesses have grown out of recent developments in the world of computers. State-of-the-art products and services in the film industry are providing new, exciting, and profitable business opportunities. Career opportunities are available at television and radio stations, production houses, post-production facilities, and a host of related organizations involved in producing and distributing programming for television and radio. Read More
How to Apply for a Film Production Job
Film production jobs resemble other jobs in many ways. There is likely to be a lot of competition, and you may have to settle for a job you do not want and work up from there. Some application methods that work for all jobs will work just as well for the film industry. However, in other ways film jobs are more unique and you can find a job more easily by paying attention to what your employers are looking for. Read More
Best Ways To Make Money As A Filmmaker
A lot of budding filmmakers never put their skills to good use because they don’t know where to begin. There are tons of talented people out there right now who have nothing more than a slew of videos sitting on a shelf in their home. Instead of becoming one of those people, you should consider using your talents to make a living. There are a lot of ways to make money as a filmmaker, and we’ll explore several of them below. Read More
How the Internet Has Changed the Movie Business
Today, there still is a lot of networking and dues-paying to get into the movie business, but the Internet has radically changed what that looks like; and the biggest change has been in accessibility. Combined with the advent of cheap digital technology, the Internet now makes it much easier for almost anyone to do a video project and get it seen. Web sites like YouTube and Vimeo have made it so anyone with a camera can post a video, and computers now have editing capabilities to help anyone “tweak” their projects and make them look better. Read More
Set Dresser
Before any props are purchased, the set dresser will first often do research on the period and location in which the movie takes place. He or she will also confer with the director and others in the art department to understand the visual style and look of the film. It’s important that set dressers have an eye for style and design, as they will be selecting many of the objects that decorate the world of the film. (Because of this, it’s extremely important that the set dresser can keep to the budget.) Once the movie starts shooting, the set dresser will actually “dress” each set, placing the props in the right places. Read More
How to Become an Art Department Coordinator
Becoming an art department coordinator typically involves working with an art department and eventually gaining the experience and understanding needed to move up into a coordinator position for a film studio or production company. The coordinator typically works between the rest of the art department and the executives at a studio to coordinate the efforts needed during pre-production to move forward into production. This can include budgeting, working with art department personnel to ensure deadlines are met, facilitating communication between the art department crew members and the executives at a studio, and ensuring that various aspects of the pre-production process are accomplishes successfully. Read More
Life as a Grip
Grips work with the camera department and the lighting department to get the right equipment in the right spot for a shot. If the camera is mounted on a dolly or a crane, the grip is the one that moves that dolly or crane every single time in every single take to the exact mark to get the shot. The grip also moves all the light stands to their proper positions so that the gaffer and the electrical department can set up the lighting for the shot. Grips put together the rigging for situations in which lights might need to reach over set walls. Read More
Breaking Into the Film and TV Business
If you can’t stand the dark, tiny editing suites, then find another useful skill – camera, sound, lighting – any of those jobs will get you close to the action. Sure, you’ll get pigeon-holed in that one position, but it’s a start. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I talked my way into a meeting with a big TV producer who had several series on the air. He said to me “What do you want to do?” Loaded question. I said the wrong thing: “Anything.” He didn’t help me. If I’d told him I wanted to be an assistant editor or a second assistant camera-person, that would have given him something very specific and I think he’d have made some calls on my behalf. Read More
Combining Film and the Internet
A number of different websites exist that will allow you to host your work as a file for others to download, or even as a video for people to watch through the Internet. This gives you a chance to build your reputation as a filmmaker, and allows audiences to see your work on a massive scale. You may even find that people within the film industry see your work and are willing to offer you the opportunity to work on a larger project. Similarly, your short work could become a calling card for you, which you can reference as you try to break into the studio system and the film industry. Utilizing the potential for film and the Internet can allow you to make a path for yourself into a rewarding career. Read More
How to Make a Short Film With Practically No Budget
Making a short film with the availability of today’s technology has become a relatively simple endeavor for most people. Assuming that you own a respectable computer, a digital camcorder and some kind of editing software, you are basically ready to go. Add some decent actors, a simple script and you’re a filmmaker! But, first things first; you will need a story. Remember, most of what filmmakers do is to become a storyteller. Read More
The Importance of a Line Producer
The line producer is usually one of the first people who will get involved with a film production and ultimately is one of the most important as well. He or she will typically work as the direct line between the studio executives who are only interested in the financial success of a movie, and the cast and crew who are bringing the movie to life. Line producers need to have a strong sense of business, as well as how to manage time, money, and people in order to ensure that the people working in both sides of the industry end up happy with the final production. Read More
Careers in Film for Storytellers
As is often said, film is a visual medium. With giant screens and the ability to present dazzling special effects, audiences want to be wowed by what they see on the screen. But all the visual razzmatazz in the world will leave audiences cold if there’s not a good, solid story to take them on a journey. While there are many professionals in charge of creating the look of the film, there are also those whose focus is on the plot. If you’re looking into a career in film and are most interested in the storytelling, here are some positions you may want to explore. Read More
Film Set Design: Careers in Film Art
If you are interested in a film career, do not pass by set design. It provides an excellent opportunity to show creativity and innovation while meeting constant and often demanding deadlines. The higher you move up the ladder of set design employment, the more freedom you will have to exercise your imagination and create detailed, thoughtful sets that will impress directors, absorb audiences, and help actors enter their roles more fully. Read More
Digital Animation Careers in Film
Digital animators are behind some of the biggest motion pictures of our times. James Cameron’s Avatar is an excellent example of how digital animation can take center stage in today’s pop cultural milieu. Digital animation careers are possible in a number of different industries. Animation houses produce cartoons for the movies and TV while the Internet also offers a great variety of opportunities for talented digital animators. Video games also employ digital animation often based on the use of motion capture technology. Read More
Is Film School Useful for a Makeup Artist?
The tendency for artists working in the film industry, especially those in makeup and makeup effects, to teach new artists who wish to enter the industry is supported through educational methods such as the mentor-extern system. An extern looking to learn new techniques and gain contacts within the industry can be paired with a knowledgeable and experienced mentor who can teach the student what he needs to know. You should consider finding a school that can help pair you with a mentor in the industry, rather than spending time and money on film school that could just end up teaching you what you do not actually need to know to become a makeup artist. Read More
I have an idea for a movie, now what do I do?
Many people, at some point in their life, believe they have the story for next big Hollywood blockbuster. Most times, even if that is true, they do not know how to proceed to get it in front of the people who might be interested. If you have a good idea for a movie, there is a process that you should follow to give the concept a chance to actually be written and produced. First, it’s very important to know who the people are that buy movie ideas. Read More
Financing Your Independent Film
Many filmmakers who begin their journey for financing their idea or script, don’t realize that you can film your project from just a few thousand dollars to several million. Obviously, with films now budgeting out for well over 100 million, these amounts are but a pittance compared to what it could cost. Several projects did extremely well at the box office as well as having smaller budgets. Read More
Life as a Gaffer
The gaffer is the head of the lighting and electrical department – the guy or gal who works hand-in-glove with the director of photography in creating a shot. The gaffer has to get all the lights ready for each scene, make sure they have the right color gels on them, get everything wired so it will work properly… and then do it all again for the next shot. Gaffers usually have a small army of grips and electricians to do the moving and rolling of the equipment, though on smaller productions, the gaffer helps unload the trucks and lugs it all to the set. Read More
Highest Paying Film Careers
A producer can be many things. A producer can be a writer, an investor, an idea person, a manager, or all of these things rolled into one. The executive producer is in charge of the production group, and is responsible for every single aspect of filmmaking: pre-production, production, and post-production. During pre-production, the producer reads scripts and has writers, directors, and agents to pitch ideas. Read More
Qualities of a Film Industry Professional
In the film industry, it is important to understand that no matter how creative you are, or how many blockbusters you have in your head, the person who might hire you doesn’t care. Producers are just trying to fill jobs on their crew with competent people who will carry out the vision of the director. That being said, the easiest way to get a job in the industry with no prior experience is to take the job that no one else wants. This means lowering yourself to getting someone else coffee, taking out the trash, painting the walls, etc. Read More
How to Write a TV Pilot
In a television show, the dialogue must be perfect. The key to writing great dialogue when considering how to write a TV pilot is to make sure that the character’s conversations flow together and seem very natural. It may help to visualize your pilot already on television or even ask some friends to act out the script. Television pilots are very visual things. That must be considered when writing your pilot. Television is a visual media and your script must make sense in a visual context. Read More
Two Important Keys Toward Becoming Successful in the Film Industry
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a film producer, writer or director; traveling to Hollywood and receiving your Academy Award; living like the rich and famous; then I’m sure more than one person has told you that you have about as much chance of doing that as winning the lottery. People automatically think that you are crazy and spending time pursuing this is living in unreality. Okay, now down to the basics; what really are the keys to being successful in the film industry? Read More
A Real Perspective on Careers in Digital Animation
Finding a career in professional digital animation on film or television productions can be more difficult than it may immediately appear. There is a remarkable amount of competition for these jobs, after all, and so the skills you know are of utmost importance, but it can also be a tremendous advantage to have connections within the film industry. Learning to become a digital animation is not something you can typically do at a film school, which more often focuses on directing, editing, and other basic aspects of filmmaking. Read More
Financing for Independent Films
Finding financing for independent films can be difficult, though there are certain steps that can be taken and some tips on how a new director can find potential investors for a film project. Traditionally, filmmakers worked with major studios to help provide the necessary investment of money for the equipment, crew, and everything else needed in creating a motion picture. There have been some filmmakers, however, who have found ways to work outside the somewhat rigid confines of the film industry, and have made movies independently by finding funding for their work in places other than the studios. Read More
Acting for Film
There are many different types of acting: soaps, theatre, Disney, TV and acting for film. For most people who are not in the industry, understanding these different types of acting can get confusing. Add to that learning how to act for a one camera shoot vs. a three camera shoot and the beginner actor begins to feel very overwhelmed. When an actor is about to go on a film audition or shoot a film, there biggest challenge is usually preparing emotionally for the role. Read More
How do I Become Part of an Art Department
The art department working on a film is one of the key elements of pre-production for just about any movie, and especially for major blockbuster films with extensive action set pieces and special effects. The work and planning that the art departments of these movies do make the rest of the movie easier to create and ultimately lead to a more cohesive and compelling final product. In general, the art department for a movie can… Read More
Art Director – The serious end of movie art
What do you do when you want to create a grungy apartment setting for your short film but your girlfriend won’t let destroy her furniture? Or you need to turn a modern office suite into a detective’s squad room yet you have no idea where to begin? Get thee to an art director. The folks in the art department — including the production designer, art director, set designer, and prop master — are the ones who create a film’s look. They build sets and dress them… Read More
Breaking Into the Film Business
The movie business frequently feels like one of those ‘members-only’ clubs – you can’t get in the door without knowing someone on the inside. So the best way to break into the business is: get to know someone who makes movies! Easy enough to say that, but the big question is: how? First there are lots of entertainment industry job sites on the web… Read More
Career Profile: Makeup Artist Jack Pierce
In the early days of the movies, before there was such a thing as film school (let alone schools for makeup artists), people in film learned their trades by doing them. By the same token, certain jobs in film did not have specialized people doing them—people just did what needed to be done. In the earliest days, actors did their own make-up, then did make-up for each other, and eventually a specialized job evolved. Make-up artist Jack Pierce (1889-1968) was one who set the standard in the early days… Read More
Careers in Digital Animation
Careers in digital animation, known as 3D computer animation of CGI encompasses many different jobs with different opportunities. Right now this is the most profitable career for an artist. Digital art is very popular and the best movies are now made by artists on computers. Of course, as with most jobs in the film industries, the roles of digital animators differ… Read More
Cool Job – Script Supervisor
A script supervisor, sometimes called a continuity script supervisor, has numerous responsibilities before, during and after a film production. A script supervisor’s main duty is to document every detail surrounding movie scenes as they are filmed. This means everything from the types of lenses used in the cameras to the exact positions of the actors. A script supervisor also marks lines through the script to let the director know how many of the film’s scenes have been completed, or covered, in film speak. Read More
The Basics of Directing a Short Film
Whether you are in film school or just an avid film fan looking to make a mark on the world of cinema, you should understand certain basics and fundamental aspects about directing a short film. These may not always be true for more established and advanced filmmakers, who can ride on their name and break the rules more easily. But for a filmmaker just starting out, you should at least consider some of these things as you move forward to create a short film that will show others what you can do and make them want to see your vision fully unleashed on a larger production. Read More
Animation for Film and Television
Animation for film and television is created by teams of artists who work together to make new ideas come to life for audiences around the world. If you are interested in becoming such an animator, then there are some things you should consider and look into as you move forward with your career. You will likely want to receive some education, as there are certain aspects of animation that you should know and teaching yourself can often be quite difficult. Read More
How to Become a Storyboard Artist
If you want to become a storyboard artist, there are some things you should consider and know about the craft as you work your way into the industry. You will probably want to receive an education in art or specifically storyboarding, in order to ensure that you have the skills needed to be a professional storyboard artist. You should also consider learning about the industry even before taking classes to refine your artistic skills, and understand film on a fundamental level. Read More
The New World of Digital Filmmaking
Digital filmmaking has opened up greater possibilities and opportunities for filmmakers than ever before, and if you are interested in breaking into the film industry, you should know as much as possible about how technology has changed the way in which movies are made. Every movie, from the massive big budget summer blockbusters, to the small independent films made on a shoestring budget by first time directors, has been changed by the advents in digital technology and filmmaking. How you use these technological advances will depend a great deal upon what you are trying to accomplish, and what type of film you want to make. Read More
Finding Ideas
Many first-time screenwriters have spent years and years waiting to find the time and cultivate the patience and skill to finally begin their rookie effort, only to discover the curse of the blinking cursor, a fate worse than writer’s block, in which one not only does not know what to write, one does not even know what one wants to write about, but take heart, as there are all sorts of ways of finding ideas if one knows the right places to look. A now outdated snippet of industry speak is “flipping the pages”, which… Read More
In the entertainment business people often say that one must network or not work. To a large extent, they are right. And not just in show business, but in any business. Although in the media the importance of networking is particularly high.Having a solid network of colleagues and like-minded professionals to interact with can pay dividends in many different…Read More
One of the most difficult parts about getting started in the film industry is getting a first job. However, knowing how to get started in film and taking the proper steps and measures to do so will probably get you much farther. Making it in the film industry does not depend on school or degrees (in fact, film degrees are often looked down upon by executives and bosses in studios and companies), but instead…Read More
When considering how to network offline, one of the first questions to ask yourself is what do you want to achieve? Are you looking to build a large network of relatively casual business contacts with whom you can exchange potential leads, or are you looking for clients or direct gatekeepers to clients who can give you business directly? Either way, you’re going to need to shut down (or least hibernate) your computer and venture out into the real world in order to make so-called “offline” connections…Read More
Knowing how to network online is an important step to getting a job in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, there are many young hopefuls who plan to make it in the entertainment industry, and every company everywhere gets swamped with letters, resumes, and portfolios, so most companies choose to hire people they know, or people that come recommended to them…Read More
How to Start Your Own Business in Film
Many people get into the film business wanting to become big time Hollywood directors. And while it’s good to be ambitious the fact of the matter is that very few people attain that level of success in the business. However, starting your own film production company can be a surprisingly good startup business…Read More
Making it in film isn’t easy, but for those with the drive and talent to pursue their dreams, it can certainly happen. Whether your goal is to be a director, actor, screenwriter, editor, or any other position in the industry, making it Hollywood (or New York, or anywhere else, for that matter), requires dedication and a very thick skin to handle all the highs and lows that come with the territory. Although it may seem daunting, remember that every Oscar-winning star or world-famous director had to…Read More
Pursuing a Film Career in Today’s Market
With the advent of digital technology, many thousands of young aspiring filmmakers are jumping on the scene. This is good in the sense that more people can get involved, but can also be a challenge to compete with the sheer volume of material competing for attention. If your desire is to be a filmmaker, here are some things you need to know about pursuing a film career in today’s market…Read More
Connections is a broad term for business relationships that benefit both you and the person you have developed the connection with. These connections can occur in many different ways. You can create useful connections with fellow employees or managers at the job you are currently working. If you branch out and attend local business gatherings, you can develop connections with people you meet there…Read More
