Creating videos of any scale requires organization and planning. A careful process to make sure that a desirable end result is achieved. The bigger the project, the more complicated the process becomes. To make sure nothing is missed and the story is told as originally envisioned, filmmakers use a p

Videographers are always looking for the next best thing in our video production needs. But every video producer knows you can't always find it at your local department or electronics store. It’s easy to get caught up in the bargain shopping hype this time of year, whether it’s for

Shot lists and EDLs (Edit Decision List) are long standing tools of post-production. Shot lists and edit decision lists keep the editor’s footage in order. They allow the editor to know what to keep and what to clear out, and more than anything, they keep the edit together as it passes through

Screenwriters have always employed a number of tools to help them structure their stories. The time constraints placed upon a screenplay forces screenwriters into a tight regiment of narrative devices. It causes the screenwriter to be stuck between the story they have to tell and final delivery of a

[image:blog_post:12726] How will you bring your character to life? Whether you'd love 'em or leave 'em, dogs are well known for the life and vibrancy they bring to our daily lives. Though animal movies have persisted since Rin Tin Tin, there is quite a difference between viewing animals

It's important to note that writing a script isn't a single act, it's a process. It takes time, energy, and the ability to take constructive criticism in the interest of improving your story. While different writers thrive under different circumstances, here are four tips that have he

If you've ever dreamed about making a movie, your first question is going to be how to make a screenplay. The screenplay is essentially just the script of the movie — but it's not always as straightforward as it sounds. The screenplay tells your actors what dialogue to say, gives the

"Pay attention!" Bob demanded, waving a donut at us, next Betsy comes in and shows everyone the microwave and Randy's going to say 'It looks really reliable!' and we'll get a shot from above with the marching band – you know – marching around and playing som

The big day has arrived and you’re ready to shoot. Wait. Are you sure? As any good scout will tell you, the secret to success is to be prepared. As a video production manager, the best tool I’ve found to insure my crew is perfectly prepared every time we roll is a pre-shoot checklist. If

  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

What do Star Wars and Citizen Kane have in common? On the surface, not much. But underneath, these movies have one important thing in common: They both use the same basic story structure. Don’t see it? How can the life of an eccentric millionaire be anything like a rebel fighter pilot? The tru

Getting your story's vision from your brain to the table is hard, so let's look at what storyboarding is, along with some useful movie storyboard examples and tricks from the pros. What is Storyboarding, and Why is it Useful? On big video productions there may be as many as a hundred peopl

Your primary focus is to help your client achieve his or her goals, but it’s also important to build a level of trust that will ensure their return for future production. Whether you’re dealing with a brand new client or someone who you’ve worked with for years, these three tips wi

There are many interview approaches and styles: Are you looking for a hardcore journalistic approach or something less intense? Will you casually guide interviewees or follow a defined path? Video interview techniques will vary depending on project intent and focus and interviewee personalities. Wha

I had the pleasure of auditing a portion of the Videomaker Basics of Video Production workshop a couple weeks ago. There are many basic rules when it comes to video, and there is a wealth of basic knowledge that continues to be the foundation for great production. Though I had been exposed to all of

Think of a media database system as a reference book written about all your projects. With it, you should be able to find any given shot, and all relevant information about said shot, at a moment’s notice. A simple database might contain the content, source location and duration of all the sho

You can have the greatest gear in the world, with a digital cinema camera, great lighting, and a high end post system. You can have a huge crew of experts that are craftsmen in their trade. You can study your camera and gain experience until you're prepared for just about any type of shot. But w

In the early days of movie and television production, a producer would come up with an idea and give it to a scriptwriter who would bang out the story on an old Smith Corona or Underwood typewriter. The use of carbon paper necessitated perfect typing skills and a scriptwriter’s job was both ar

Subjects in documentaries often aren’t professionals trained to appear on camera, so you need to learn successful tricks to getting your “talent” to say and do what you want, even without talent. People you interview will have their perception of how you want them to look and act o

Script creation is a task that requires lots of time, work and planning. In fact, planning is probably the heart and soul of the production. The proper planning and legwork must be accomplished or even the best script will fall flat on its face. There are many aspects to pre-production planning, but