10 Essential Cinematography Techniques & Tricks for Cinematic Shots

Good cinematographers get behind the camera and capture a wide range of shots as they are defined in the shot list by the producer. Great cinematographers master the art of visual storytelling by capturing the best shots to artfully tell the story delivering to the viewer only what the camera operator intends the viewer to […]
How to Pay for Film School

Are you interested in becoming a filmmaker but wondering how you can pay for film school? Whether you’re new to the industry or seeking further education to help you make a lasting career, paying for film school is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face. We’re showing you what you can do to get this […]
How to Create a Demo Reel

Creating a great demo reel is vital if you intend to capture your client’s attention quickly, and you want to keep them around. But what goes into a great demo reel anyway? We’re showing you how to create a demo reel that will captivate your clients, showing them just what your talents are and what […]
Top Tips on Being an Effective Grip

Working as a grip on set is an essential role for film production. With large, heavy equipment being handled day in and day out, the grip department is tasked with ensuring that the equipment has been built tough to withstand the tests of the crew without skimping on safety. While it’s one of the most […]
What is a Second Unit Director

The Second Unit Director is responsible for shooting various supplemental footage that complements the original footage. This includes establishing any major shots related to stunts, insertions or cutaways that make the film come together seamlessly. This individual works separately from the first unit which is responsible for overseeing initial footage capture. The second unit director […]
What is a Property Master

The Property Master or Prop master is responsible for controlling various aspects of the property departments including production inventory, maintenance of props, allocation, and return of props and various budgeting needs. Property masters procure property for production, take care of props during the production, and ensure that all necessary property is available on-time and returned […]
What is a Visual Effects Director

The visual effects director or visual effects supervisor is responsible for producing computer generated images that make the video production more visually appealing and engaging. Even some of the lower budget films include some level of funding for basic visual effects in the post-production phase. The visual effects director is the creative voice behind these […]
What is a Transportation Coordinator

The Transportation Coordinator is responsible for managing the transportation department and overseeing the transportation needs of the film crew and staff. This individual employs one or two transportation managers that work to manage the use of transportation vehicles that get staff and crew plus equipment from place to place. The transportation coordinator must have knowledge […]
What is a Production Caterer

The production caterer is responsible for delivering the food that keeps the film crew satisfied and fed. Otherwise, with long work hours, the film crew would not be able to eat or they would have to take lengthy amounts of time off to leave the production and obtain breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks. The production […]
What is a Leadman

The Leadman works in the art department to ensure that the swing gang or set dressers have appropriately placed the decorations on set in preparation for principal photography and to ensure the timely clearing of the set when the scene has wrapped. The Leadman works under the supervision of the set decorator and reports to […]