The Clapperboard Explained — How to Use a Film Slate

The humble film slate, scuffed and scratched and tossed casually aside between setups, is actually a very important piece of equipment that no film set should ever be without. In this post, we’re going to give you an insider’s tour of the slate, officially known as a clapperboard. We’ll show you how to use a… Continue reading The Clapperboard Explained — How to Use a Film Slate

What is a Film Composer — Job Description Explained

EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound  What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate… Continue reading What is a Film Composer — Job Description Explained

What is a Stunt Coordinator in Film — Job Description Explained

Stunts DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Stunt Coordinator Insert Image Stuntman Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Everybody loves a good action movie, and there are very few good action movies without good stunts. Stunts are the backbone of action movies and have been an element of filmmaking from the very beginning. Tons of work goes… Continue reading What is a Stunt Coordinator in Film — Job Description Explained

What is an Art Director in Film — Job Description Explained

Art DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Art Director Insert Image Production Designer Insert Image Prop Master Insert Image Storyboard Artist Insert Image Set Dresser Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions You may have watched a film’s end credits and thought to yourself, “What is an art director in film?” After all, numerous industries, such as fashion,… Continue reading What is an Art Director in Film — Job Description Explained

Above the Line Film Positions & How They Work in a Budget

If you are at all interested in the behind-the-scenes side of filmmaking, then you may have heard the terms “above the line” and “below the line” thrown around in interviews, articles, or BTS footage. In this article, we’ll be discussing above and below the line in film and breaking down exactly what above the line… Continue reading Above the Line Film Positions & How They Work in a Budget

What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains

BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What Does a Cinematographer Do Insert Image What is Cinematography Insert Image What is Digital Cinematography Insert Image Cinematography Terms Insert Image What is Motion Blur ResourcesOpen menu Insert Image Essential Cinematography Books Insert Image Top 100 Cinematography Films Insert Image DP Advice from Alex Buono Insert Image Videography Contract Template… Continue reading What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains

What is a Line Producer — Ultimate Guide to Duties & Salary

Production DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Producer vs Director Insert Image What Does an Executive Producer Do Insert Image What Does a Producer Do Insert Image What Does a Co-Producer Do Insert Image What Does a TV Producer Do Insert Image What is An Associate Producer Insert Image What is a Line Producer Insert Image What… Continue reading What is a Line Producer — Ultimate Guide to Duties & Salary

Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing — What’s the Difference?

EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound  What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate… Continue reading Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing — What’s the Difference?

What Does an Executive Producer Do — Film/TV Role Explained

Production DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Producer vs Director Insert Image What Does an Executive Producer Do Insert Image What Does a Producer Do Insert Image What Does a Co-Producer Do Insert Image What Does a TV Producer Do Insert Image What is An Associate Producer Insert Image What is a Line Producer Insert Image What… Continue reading What Does an Executive Producer Do — Film/TV Role Explained

What is a Second Unit Director & What Does a Second Unit Do?

Directorial DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image What Does an Assistant Director Do Insert Image What Does a 2nd Assistant Director Do Insert Image What is a Casting Director Insert Image What is a Second Unit Director Insert Image What Does a Director Do Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions If you’ve ever heard the terms ‘second… Continue reading What is a Second Unit Director & What Does a Second Unit Do?

Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)

On a low-budget independent film with a scaled back crew, there are not too many film crew positions to keep track of. When we start looking at larger productions, however, the amount of distinct film crew positions can balloon to massive numbers. Gaining an understanding of the function of each movie crew member’s role can… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)

What is a Prop Master — Job Description and Responsibilities

Art DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Art Director Insert Image Production Designer Insert Image Prop Master Insert Image Storyboard Artist Insert Image Set Dresser Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Anytime you see an actor handle or interact with an object in a film, that object was carefully picked out and acquired by a single person… Continue reading What is a Prop Master — Job Description and Responsibilities

What Does a Film Editor Do — Role and Responsibilities

Editorial DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Digital Imaging Technician Insert Image Film Editor Insert Image Colorist Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Without editors, films would never be made. They are one of the most integral roles of a film’s creation. Like cinematographers, editors are part technicians and part creatives which broadens their responsibilities. What does… Continue reading What Does a Film Editor Do — Role and Responsibilities

What is a Camera Operator — Duties, Salary & Getting Started

Camera & Lighting DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Best Boy Insert Image Camera Operator Insert Image Director Of Photography Insert Image Focus Puller Insert Image Key Grip Insert Image Gaffer Insert Image Grip Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions On a macro level, the creative force behind the visual look of a film falls in the… Continue reading What is a Camera Operator — Duties, Salary & Getting Started

Camera Crew Positions & Camera Department Explained

Camera & Lighting DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Best Boy Insert Image Camera Operator Insert Image Director Of Photography Insert Image Focus Puller Insert Image Key Grip Insert Image Gaffer Insert Image Grip Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Filmmaking is an incredibly collaborative art form. It is only achieved through the collaborative efforts of various… Continue reading Camera Crew Positions & Camera Department Explained

What is a Costume Designer — Job Description, Duties & Salary

Great movies are often praised for incredible direction, cinematography, or performances. But one of the more important aspects of the filmmaking process that unfortunately does not receive proper recognition is costume design. Costume designers are more than just fashion designers. They are storytellers that utilize the craft of fashion design to tell a story. In… Continue reading What is a Costume Designer — Job Description, Duties & Salary

What is a Special Effects Supervisor — Job Description & Role Explained

Think of some of your favorite films or television series of all time. Whether they are rooted in fantasy or made to be naturalistic, odds are they required some special effects. To bring those effects to life, a Special Effects Supervisor got the job done. And in this article, we’ll dive into the role and… Continue reading What is a Special Effects Supervisor — Job Description & Role Explained

What is a Location Scout — Duties & Job Description Explained

One of the great things about cinema is its ability to transport audiences to far and remote places. These places are often a character themselves within the story of a film. Finding these locations is an incredibly important component of filmmaking that is put on the shoulders of a location scout. What is a location… Continue reading What is a Location Scout — Duties & Job Description Explained

What is a Casting Director — Job Description, Duties & Salary

Directorial DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image What Does an Assistant Director Do Insert Image What Does a 2nd Assistant Director Do Insert Image What is a Casting Director Insert Image What is a Second Unit Director Insert Image What Does a Director Do Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions You might think you know what a… Continue reading What is a Casting Director — Job Description, Duties & Salary