Planning & Directing

Stuff You Need to Know

7 Tips to Help You Start Editing Your Film Script

7 Script Editing Tips that Will Take Your Screenplay from Good...

Even though you’ve finished writing your script, it's still a first draft and most scripts need more than one draft to be ready for...

How A Shot List Makes Your Shoot Easier, Better and Cheaper

If you go back and look at your early work, it probably looks like it was directed by someone who needs a guide dog....
Pizza chef holding a cooked pizza

How to plan a successful video ad

Here we’ll focus on the pre-production aspects of producing a video commercial. We’ll discuss all the steps that must be completed before you press...
How NOT to be an Overbearing Director

How Respectful Directing Leads to Better Performances

Directing is a tough job. The long hours and pressure of keeping a production on track require a strong leader. While the stereotype of...

Practical advice for writing a short film script

A strong, focused short film script not only tells a more compelling story. It’s also easier to produce.

How to direct actors to get the best possible performance

It's essential for a director to know how to direct actors and form a successful working relationship to deliver the best performance.

How to direct an inexperienced crew

When you’re working on a tight budget, you have to take the help that you can get. Sometimes, that means relying on an inexperienced cast and crew to complete your project.
Even though every project varies based on the budget, shooting schedule and resources, the rule of thumb always remains the same for every director: have everything in order before the cameras start rolling.

How to prepare for your first directing gig

Directing your first project is like getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time. You read through the manual, attended the...
Film Crew on set.

Creative Collaboration: Building Team Dynamics for Your Production

When you start building a team for production, you are creating your most valuable asset.
Top 5 Scouting Tips Every Location Scout Should Know

Top 5 scouting tips every location scout should know

Although you won't need to go to a special school or take any college courses to become a location scout, you will need a...

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What is an executive producer?

What is an executive producer and what do they do?

While there are many jobs on a film set, one of the most important roles is the executive producer. Here's why they are so vital.
Risk-taking cameraman filming from the top of a very high cliff in the canyons of Utah

The art of risk-taking in filmmaking

Taking risks in filmmaking can be quiet scary, but it can be also highly rewarding. No one shows us that better than Wes Anderson.
A scene from "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Image courtesy: Focus Features

Creating surrealism: Films that refuse to explain themselves

Surrealism in filmmaking is a genre that has captivated niche audiences for decades. Here's what you need to know to make a great surrealist film.
Modern pre-production workflow for small teams: An in-depth guide

Modern pre-production workflow for small teams: An in-depth guide

Today, small teams are leveraging technological advancements and collaborative tools to streamline the pre-production process.
How to write, shoot and edit a video production on mobile

How to write, shoot and edit a film on mobile

With today's smartphones, more and more videographers are shooting video productions using their mobile devices. Here's how it's being done.
7 exercises to become a better screenwriter

7 exercises to become a better screenwriter

If you want to become a better screenwriter, then you're going to have to practice. Do these seven exercises to become a better screenwriter.

AI pre-production made easy with ChatGPT: Get screen direction written in...

Are you struggling with pre-production for your video projects? Well, say hello to ChatGPT, the AI pre-production tool that generates everything you need from...

How to direct actors to get the best possible performance

It's essential for a director to know how to direct actors and form a successful working relationship to deliver the best performance.
AI writing for scripts

How AI can help improve your scriptwriting

Scriptwriting can be time-consuming, but using AI writing tools can help speed up the process and let you be more creative in the process.
Fostering a collaborative and trusting relationship with your actors and encouraging them to come up with new character ideas will help bring your characters to life on screen.

Collaborating with actors to create strong characters

To bring your characters to life, you need to collaborate with your actors, blending your ideas to achieve the best performance possible.
Laugh track featured image

The history of the laugh track

The laugh track has been around for decades, but do you know where it came from? Let's dive into the history of the laugh track.

Screenwriting: A clear guide to the basics

In a nutshell Screenwriting requires adherence to rules and procedures despite being a creative medium. Screenplays for film and television share the same formatting but follow...
The Wes Anderson style

What can we learn from the Wes Anderson style?

The cinematic style of Wes Anderson has made a massive impact on cinema and there's a lot videographers can learn from his genius.
What is the definition of comic relief featued image

Comic relief: Its definition and why it’s necessary

Comic relief is a powerful storytelling plot device. Let's discuss the definition of comic relief and why it's so important in cinema.