BETTER SLATE THAN NEVER: The Importance Of The Slate To An Assistant Editor
“Rushing Ramona” is a 2nd AC (camera assistant) working on a feature in Kentucky. Before each take she updates the slate (also called clapboard, clapperboard, or sound marker) with the appropriate scene and take. She announces the take, claps the “sticks,” and gets...
PITCH IMPERFECT: 5 Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Pitching a Project
Whenever you are pitching a project, be it to a production company, an investor, or a collaborator, you are not only selling the project, you’re selling yourself. After taking the time to prep your script, treatments, and other physical documents, the most important...
BOOM & ZOOM: 5 Keys To Help Your Next Production Sound Like A Million Bucks
Audiences can be very forgiving when it comes to indies. Poor picture quality, shaky camerawork, amateur performances… almost anything can be overcome by a talented filmmaker with a compelling story. But one aspect that ironically costs the least can also impact...
APPLE BOXES, HONEY WAGONS, AND C-47s: Your Guide To Set Lingo
Like any other profession, filmmaking has its own specialized lingo. Many of these terms you will only hear on set, but being familiar with them could be crucial to your success in this business. For instance, you might panic the first time you are asked to track down...
UNDER-PROMISE, OVER-DELIVER: 5 Indispensable Tips For Raising Equity On An Indie Feature
Acquiring financing for an independent feature film can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. It’s a high risk investment in a product that might stall or collapse at any moment due to incompetence or misfortune. Yet it can also be very rewarding, both financially and...