A New Digital Aesthetic
The conventional viewpoint on digital video has been that it will eventually replace film as the popular moviemaking medium. For years, industry experts have predicted that as the technology improves, sprockets will disappear. Although the current trends
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A-B roll editing
technical discussion of the process of A and B roll editing, checkboarding and splicing for 16mm film
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About That Interview
I have written about how to prepare for interviews and what to do at interviews, but there are three additional points to keep in mind during and after the interview.
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Actors in Future Projects
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Actors in print media, sports and music
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Adapt and Overcome
You will be facing many challenges that you never expected. You will have to overcome them to get your project completed.
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After the Interview
There are two possible outcomes to any interview - either you get the job or you don't. If you get the job, it's time for celebration. You should treat yourself to a gift, go out to dinner with a friend, or do something else to congratulate yourself, beca
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Agency Packaging
Talent Agencies will sometimes buy off on your project if they can submit a cast package deal. This will involve providing actors only if they can have others actors from their agency work on the same project.
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Agent's and Manager's Needs
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almost
Production Journal 7/14. Michael gets word from SFX expert. He also tries to obtain a list of insurance providers and contact a friend to UPM, AD or Produce.
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Are Screenplays Literature?
Although today recent movies such as In the Bedroom, You Can Count On Me, The Shipping News, Ghost World and Apocalypse Now Redux all have had their scripts published, screenplays were rarely published when I was a young writer learning my craft in the 19
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Are Screenplays Literature? Part Three
The argument in favor of screenplays being literature must begin with a reminder: not all novels or poems or stage plays are considered to be
"literature."
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Are Screenplays Literature? Part Two
The argument against screenplays being considered literature begins with this: a screenplay is not a literary document because it is not written primarily to be read. It is written to be produced.
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Artistic Choices
When bringing stars on board they will request to make changes to your project that they feel are better or make them more comfortable. You need to make quick decisions to determine if you will agree and will accept the changes or insist to keep your vis
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Assigning Jobs on your Production
Who to choose and where to put them in your production.
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Audio Timecode
Dr. Fred Ginsburg, CAS discusses SMPTE audio timecode (TC) and if it is necessary in a film production. Denecke slates, Fostex DAT or Nagra and NLE are covered.
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avid secrets
connecting to avid's online bulletin board for avid users with first class software.
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Before you Ship
preparing exposed footage after shooting for shipment to the film lab, instructions for processing and contacting the lab.
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Before Your First Interview
Before you go through an actual interview, you should first go through a rehearsal interview. Ask a friend, family member or neighbor to play the role of the interviewer. By doing this you'll place yourself at the cutting edge of the job hiring process be
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Being Fuid and Flexible
You will have to find your comfort zone. You can not rule in absolutes and will have to make compromises. Make sure you are comfortable with them and ready for them when they happen.
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Boom Techniques
Another great article by Dr. Fred Ginsburg, CAS that covers the practical and technical details on boom mic techniques for movie production sound tracks.
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Brainstorming for strengths and weakness
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Breaking into Film
Finding a job in the film industry is like trying to find a sunken vessel lost at sea: it is not only difficult it's an art. This is because the movie making business is a hidden market. Employers and employees rely on reputation, word-of-mouth, and netwo
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Budget and Scheduling
The basic steps in pre-production are outlined, including hiring a unit publicist, drafting the budget and bringing associate producers onboard.
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Business Choices
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Camera Testing
The importance of and methods involved in testing your film camera for scratching, registration and light leaks.
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Can you Fund a High Quality Promo?
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Canon XL1 audio
Recording sound with the Canon XL1 as well as an indepth explanation of the sample frequency rates (16-bit, 48kHz and 12 bit 32kHz) and their relation to digital audio.
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Career Research: What Do You Want to Be?
Indeed, there are hundreds of hardworking, talented and creative people
for every actor in front of the camera. These people include set painters,
electricians, sound recordists, makeup artists, film editors, publicists,
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Cast Packaging
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Casting
Greg Pak, independent director extraordinaire, takes us through the basics of casting. Greg discusses the process of matching actors together for chemistry, materials and exercises for making good choices for the roles in a film.
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Casting Directors
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Charge! (on the Credit Card)
Production Journal 7/11. Yes, that's "Charge!" as in credit cards. Michael struggles to find film financing from friends and relatives and find the remainder of the crew.
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Citizen Screenwriter
What responsibilites, if any, does the screenwriter have to the society at large? What does it mean to be a "citizen screenwriter"?
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Closing the Deal
The Deal is not complete until it is closed. Make sure you know all the terms and conditions of the deal when you close it.
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Completion Guarantor Letter of Intent
One of the most crucial parts of your project will be the financing instruments. You must have a firm grasp of what each document entails and the ramifications of each and how it will be met upon completion of the project. Failure to understand these full
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conform from NLE
guidelines to insure frame accurate match-back from NLE: FLEX or FTL files, editing on "A" frames, cut lists, EDL and effects (fades & dissolves).
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Conforming from Video
essential guidelines for match-back from video to film: cut list, video reel length, continuous time code, academy leader, effect duration, opticals and video EDL.
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Creating your Production Timeline
How to set a timeline for your project
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Creating your Shot List
A primer taking your script from narrative work to planned shot instructions for your crew and actors.
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Crew Expectations
what an experienced film crew expects of a new director; includes shot instructions, rehearsals, blocking, calling action, lunch breaks, etc.
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Crew Positions- Reality and the Set
How best to keep your crew focused on thier jobs.
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Crewing Up
Production Journal 10/27. Our fearless director, Michael, finds himself doing all the work yet being rewarded with dog-life devotion from his crew.
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Damn, Damn, Damn
Production Journal 7/9. Michael begins casting and discussing the script with potential crew members.
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Deal Memos
The all important deal memo and how it relates to working on a non-union film shoot. Employment contracts, enforcement and possible traps to avoid.
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Dialogue
dialogue definitions are discussed: lip sync, wild sync, production dialogue, ADR and looping. Sound track building is also addressed.
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Digital Advantages
As a smart filmaker you can successfully make a feature length film and have it shown in large theaters. The modern digital age has leveled the playing field for filmmakers.
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Digital Video
overview of the differences between digital video and film, advancements and limitations of digital camcorders and a comparison to 16mm film.
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Digital-Film Formats
With each passing day, there seems to be more and more confusion as to what format independent filmmakers should be shooting on. It used to be quite simple but now the field is so muddied and confused. This article will sort it out!
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