Posts by Matt Webb
20 Camera Terms Everyone on a Film Set Should Know
20 Camera Terms Everyone on a Film Set Should Know Camera terms aren’t just jargon for one exclusive department to throw around like code as they shout at each other across the set. Everyone working on the film should be privy to them, and use them day-to-day in order to get things done efficiently. Here…
Read MoreUnderstanding the 5 Stages of Indie Film Production
Understanding the 5 Stages of Indie Film Production Film Production is created in 5 phases: development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. Each phase has a different purpose, with the overarching goal to get to the next one, and ultimately on to distribution. Each stage varies in length, and different roles suit different stages. Sadly, some…
Read MoreTop 10 Production Saving Tips for Filming on Location
Top 10 Production Saving Tips for Filming on Location Everybody that has done a shoot on location knows that it’s a whole different beast compared to filming in the controlled environment of sound stages. You have to battle the weather elements, public pedestrians, every piece of equipment must be packed into trucks that are often…
Read MoreWalkie Talkie Lingo Cheat Everyone on Set Should Know
Walkie Talkie Lingo Cheat Everyone on Set Should Know On every project, you will be given a walkie talkie lingo and will be expected to know how to use it to communicate professionally with your department. Initially, this can be daunting if you don’t know how to use it correctly, but a radio can save…
Read More3 Tips to Better Shot Composition
3 Tips to Better Shot Composition Even if you don’t want to be a DOP or Director and aren’t deciding the coverage of a scene, it’s still important to have a basic understanding of how shot composition works and what rules need to be followed to ensure the scene can be cut together smoothly in…
Read More20 Film Terms You Need to Know to Survive On-Set
20 On Set Film Terms You Need to Know A film set is a wacky place full of nicknames, strange film terms, and abbreviations. There have been so many days when someone has asked me to do something and I’ve enthusiastically responded “Copy that”, before realizing I don’t fully know what they even asked. Before…
Read MoreIFH 162: 7 Tips To Nail Your First Week On a Film Set
7 Tips To Nail Your First Week On a Film Set Your first week on a film set will be an intimidating experience. It takes time to find your feet and feel comfortable in such a unique working environment. You may have experience from college working on short film sets, but it is usually completely…
Read More25 Grip and Electric Terms Everyone on a Film Set Should Know
25 Grip and Electric Terms Everyone on a Film Set Should Know You will inevitably need something from the grips or electric department if you spend enough time on set. They will often be willing to help (if you ask politely and at a good time), but it always helps if you know what the…
Read More3 Stereotypes to Avoid Becoming On a Film Set
3 Stereotypes to Avoid Becoming On a Film Set Often the biggest problem stopping new or inexperienced crew continuing to get work is their attitude. Sometimes it is the fact that they just can’t fulfill the job, but most of the time it all boils down to their attitude and how they approach the tasks.…
Read More10 Tips To Negotiate Your Rate Like A Pro
10 Tips To Negotiate Your Rate Like A Pro Learning how to negotiate is a learned skill for most. It is nerve wracking and awkward, but necessary in the industry. For every job you will have some kind of negotiation over pay rate and conditions. Negotiation for a job takes place with the Unit Production…
Read MoreIFH 140: 6 Mistakes To Avoid Your First Day On a Film Set
6 Mistakes To Avoid Your First Day On a Film Set 1. Arriving Late If you’re not early, you’re late. I aim to get to work at least 15 minutes early each day on a film set. This gives me time to setup, read my call sheet and sides, cram in some extra breakfast and…
Read More6 Tips To Cope With An Exhausting Film Schedule
6 Tips To Cope With An Exhausting Film Schedule Working in the film industry is demanding and unrelenting, commanding a high level of work ethic over extremely long hours. The lengthy hours and grueling film schedule can test people’s patience, strain relationships and push people to breaking-point when they are stressed and pressure is applied…
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