Planning & Directing
Stuff You Need to Know
How to Evaluate a Screenplay
As an up-and-coming director, you jump at the opportunity to direct your first feature film. When you get your hands on a script being...
How to prepare for your first directing gig
Preparing for your first directing gig can be quite stressful. However, these tips can help you master the directorial process.
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.
Freytag’s pyramid, dramatic structure and story arc
A first-class story is compelling from beginning to end. Freytag's Pyramid is a formula that describes the structure of most dramas.
How to develop strong characters that draw in your audience
An outline for your screenplay is a great way to start, but developing strong characters will engage viewers in the story you’re telling. Would...
Visual Screenplay Writing: Stay in Your Lane, Bring the Flavor
Before you sit down to write your next award-winning screenplay, make sure you’re writing for both the eye and the ear.
7 Tips for Producing Awesome Video on a Deadline
Everyone has felt the stress of a fast-approaching deadline. Maybe you’re a habitual procrastinator or maybe you took on more work than you could...
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...
Fully furnished: 5 tips for using props effectively
Whether you’re shooting a feature-length narrative or a simple interview, props add richness to your video’s environment and can alter the viewer’s interpretation of...
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...
Video Courses
Special Effects Basic Training
Making movie-like special effects doesn't have to be difficult. Our experts at Videomaker show you how easy it is to make your own using...
What's New
The top 10 best film studies programs in the United States
There are many fantastic film studies programs around the country to help you learn the language of cinema and how to communicate with it.
Film history: The evolution of film and television
When it comes to film history, cinema started with a bang, developed rapidly and never stopped. From silent films to Netflix, we cover it all.
Each camera bag needs these 4 things
Camera, check. Battery, check. AC power, check. Recording media, check. For the final thing, read on.
Camera
Packing camera bags is simple on the surface, so let's dig deeper. The camera is necessary for obvious reasons, but its fit in a camera bag isn't always clear when you...
How to craft an effective production workflow for small teams
Today’s video technology allows small video productions to give major film productions a run for their money. Here’s how they can do it.
Character foils in film defined
Buzz Lightyear, Han Solo and Draco Malfoy — while these characters are quite different, they have a major thing in common: They're all foils.
What does a first assistant director do?
Almost everyone knows what a film director does, but what about the first assistant director? Let's go over what they do on set.
The film noir genre defined
Defined by its dark themes and sharp visual contrast, film noir rose to popularity in the 1940s and has been a cinema genre cornerstone since.
How to stay organized in pre-production
Every film project must start at the pre-production stage. And the best way to navigate pre-production is to start (and stay) organized.
Ferdinand de Saussure: The linguist who unexpectedly helped create film theory
Ferdinand de Saussure's groundbreaking linguistic theories have had a major influence on cinema and narrative interpretation.
The importance of DOT documents: Lessons learned from a near-disastrous cross-country...
Ask any industry professional and they are likely to have plenty of horror stories. However, this one could have ended in complete disaster.
What can we learn from Greta Gerwig?
Being one of the most successful directors in the modern era, there's a lot we can learn from acclaimed director Greta Gerwig.
The role of the mood board in pre-production
Mood boards are used across various industries and for various reasons. But for filmmakers, they can be a huge help.
The purpose of video editing
Ever since the dawn of cinema, there has been a need for video editing. But why is that? What is the purpose of editing the videos we shoot?
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.
