Movies & TV

Primary production is the part of the filmmaking process in which the majority of the film is shot on camera. This includes all acting scenes if the film is a narrative piece or all interviews and...

The key to making a video look like a high-quality film is to perfect three-point lighting, use film lens adapters and do color correction in post-production. Treat digital video similarly to...

A jib crane can be created using either aircraft aluminum or wood, a tripod and high-quality barrings. Make a jib arm for smooth maneuvering of the camera with help from a movie producer in this...

Body part props can be made from latex by first making a life cast using alginate, making a stone copy of the body part and applying several layers of latex to the mold. Create body parts as film...

A scrim is easy to create on a budget simply by cutting out a circle of wire mesh, lining the edge in electrical tape and pinning it to a light fixture. Reduce the amount of light on set without...

Knives make great horror movie props, but the sharp edge should be thoroughly sanded down for safety on the set. Find out how to create props for horror films with help from a movie producer in...

When making latex skin to create a fake wound, layer the latex on the surface in thin layers, apply grease and powder makeup to achieve the right color, and add Vaseline to make blisters. Create...

Making someone look like a zombie for a movie is best done using lots of latex, which can be painted, ripped and built up to make the skin appear diseased and decayed. Use various movie makeup...

Sculpey clay is a great material for making movie props, as it can be sculpted easily, baked to harden and painted using any spray or craft paint. Use Sculpey to make a variety of props with help...

A Glidecam can be created using simply a durable plastic grocery sac, tape and a video camera. See how to make a Glidecam on a budget with help from a movie producer in this free video on filmmaking.

A fake head to be used as a movie prop can be made out of gelatin, latex foam or silicone, each of which requires a different casting process. Take a mold of an actor's face to create a fake head...

There are several ways to learn the art of making movies. A career in filmmaking does not require a filmmaking degree. Any walks of life can do this work. However, the work itself may not be...

Super 8 millimeter filmmaking is a less popular avenue for directors than 16 millimeter or 35 millimeter film and digital video applications; its use is largely an aesthetic choice. Super 8 film...

Motion pictures were first introduced in 1895, but talking pictures weren't perfected for another three decades. In the meantime, movies remained silent, conveying dialogue through onscreen cue...

A movie producer is in charge of the business end of filmmaking, ensuring that paperwork is complete, everyone does their jobs and the movie moves forward as efficiently as possible. Learn how...

A movie producer is the boss of a production. He allocates resources, handles crises, and provides tools for filmmakers. He understands filmmaking as a money-making business. A producer must know...

The tools are available for anyone to make a short film today, but there's more to making a movie than just pointing a camera and pressing "record".

Many movie props can be made out of latex, which is available at costume and cosmetic shops, and fake blood is always useful when making horror or action movies. Create movie props on a budget...

Special effects in a movie can be made using a variety of materials, such as latex prop gloves, latex body parts, pillows, fake blood and clever editing. Discover the art of making special effects...

Making movies requires a video camera, an editing system, great microphones and education on movie production. Consider hiring a video editor to help with making movies using advice from a TV and...

The process for making a movie involves finding a story to tell, putting together a budget, raising money, getting the people to make the movie and making the movie. Find out what happens in...

In filmmaking, frontal lighting is basically having one light that comes from, or near, the camera and shines forward. Discover how frontal lighting is used to hide wrinkles on a person's face...

Production design is the design of the set of the movie, or the world that the characters live within. Learn about the different platforms used in production design with filmmaking tips from a...

In film, art direction is essentially a fancy term for production design. Find out how art direction creates the world that is seen in a movie with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker in...

Digital video editing is movie editing that is done on a computer in a non-linear system. Find out how to jump between frames in digital video editing with filmmaking tips from a director and...

A set designer and a production designer are essentially the same thing, which means creating the world that the film takes place in. Discover why a good set designer should be a craftsman with...

In order to become a filmmaker, all that's really needed is a camera and a boom. Discover how to hone filmmaking skills through practice with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker in this...

In filmmaking, an art director is the person who develops the look, feel and texture of the movie. Learn the importance of meetings between art directors and film directors with filmmaking tips...

A documentary producer has a difficult job because he has to do a lot of legal work to get releases for everything that appears in the film. Learn about the editing process of documentary...

A production assistant does everything that needs to be done for a movie that nobody else wants to do. Find out what kind of errands a production assistant has to run with filmmaking tips from a...

If someone is shooting a movie on a video, they need to move quickly and try to get their main light source to be a soft, diffused light. Shoot as many takes as necessary when filming on video...

Eight millimeter film is the same thing as 35 and 16 millimeter film, only smaller. Use 8 millimeter film for an old fashioned, grainy look with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker in...

Tools for making movies include scripts, actors, cameras, sets and sound studios. Discover how different tools come together to make a movie with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker in...

Key lighting is the main lighting source that is used in filmmaking. Learn about the importance of the ratio between key lights and fill lights with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker...

When writing movie scripts, the first rule of thumb is that it shouldn't be any more than 120 pages. Discover where to place major plot points in a movie script with filmmaking tips from a...

The basic lighting setup in filmmaking is the three-point lighting setup, which includes a main source, a fill light and a rim light or back light. Discover how to use lights and shadows to create...

A camera for filmmaking has a body, lenses, the film plane and the magazine. Learn about tripods, dollies, grip equipment and post equipment with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker in...

When making horror movies on a low budget, remember to make the fake blood darker than one might think. Find out how to make cheap special effects for horror movies with filmmaking tips from a...

Lighting is crucial when making a film, and lights are what a cinematographer uses to paint a set. Use lighting changes to help define characters with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker...

An independent film is a film that is financed by an entity other than a movie studio. Discover why the story and the script is so crucial in independent films with filmmaking tips from a director...

The budgets for short films tend to be small, so it's important to keep locations, characters and visual effects to a minimum. Make a film that is 40 minutes or less with filmmaking tips from a...

When writing test scripts, it can be beneficial to buy screenwriting software, such as Final Draft or Movie Magic. Upload templates on screenwriting software to help when writing a test script...

When submitting a story or a script to a movie studio, the studio will most likely ask for the submission to come with a release form. Make sure that a script lands on the right person's desk with...

Starting a movie studio can be as easy as going online and ordering business cards. Make a movie studio legitimate by making movies with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker in this free...

In order to write dialogue for a film, a writer needs to know their characters and what drives them. Find out how to adjust a script over several drafts with filmmaking tips from a director and...

When writing a horror film, it's important to understand the conventions of horror films, such as starting off with a hook or a bang. Find out how to create flaws and fear in a horror movie with...

When filming a documentary, it's important to be as unobtrusive as possible, and to simply use a camera to provoke subjects. Find out why documentary films have become popular in recent years with...

A film stunt is anything that requires abnormal action that could potentially cause harm. Discover how to use stunt coordinators to hire stuntmen and professional drivers with filmmaking tips from...

Making money with movies is difficult, but it can be helpful to team up with a sales agent. Get people talking about a movie on the Internet with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker in...

When making a movie, the most important thing to do is to surround oneself with good people. Learn about the emotional journey of making a film with filmmaking tips from a director and filmmaker...