Production
The Power of B-Roll: Creative & Strategic Uses You’re Overlooking in Brand Films
Hero shots get all the attention. They’re storyboarded, pre-lit, approved by the agency, and often eat half the schedule. But B-roll is the glue.
ACES 2.0: What you need to know & what you need to change
We all love when things get an upgrade, but what happens when that upgrade means having to learn something new? Old habits die hard, so let's dive into what's up. What changed in ACES 2.0 ACES 2.0 is not a cosmetic bump. The Output
How to Write the Final Briefing Deck That Survives Clients and Informs Crew
The purpose of the final briefing meeting with clients is two fold: it is your final opportunity to get them to sign off on everything you need for the shoot, and is your final guide for the shoot.
Your First LLC: a Field-Ready Checklist for Filmmakers and Freelancers
You don’t need an LLC to make good work. But you do need one when risk, clients, and cash flow say so. This is the practical, step-by-step version—what to file, what to buy, what to click, and how to stay out of the penalty box.
Email templates for freelancers & production companies
A collection of email templates for freelancers & production companies. This is free. It's in the free stuff.
Codec vs Container vs Wrapper
A little deep dive to make you the most sophisticated person on set.
Professional Online Presence for Filmmakers (Part 1)
In our world, you can still book gigs off a handshake and a text—most of us do, thanks to relationships that we've built over time. But how do you get new work? And for new filmmakers looking to get into the industry, how do you get work
Room Tone: You Need It (And How to Capture It Right)
Room tone is probably one of the most underrated moments on set. This one is for the sound folks.
LUT vs CDL vs CST — A Deep Dive
In this one, we're deep diving a couple of technical colorist terms so you know how to properly ask for a teal and orange look.
Coffee Line Ethics: Who Deserves First Pour
Nobody writes a coffee policy, but every set has one.
What is Bitrate? A deep dive.
300 megabits per a second sounds like a lot. But what is bitrate, really? And why does it matter? Let’s learn.
The Fragile Art of Locking Location
A pretty room can still ruin your day. Don't let a pretty location seduce you; a good scout is where you break the spell and look for trouble. The goal of the scout is to find all your future problems. Let's dive on the art of locking a location, and what you need to do.
The Rise of the Near-Live Commercial Content
There’s a different kind of deadline now. We’re not talking about a recap or a glossy case study; we’re talking about near-live commercial content—clips, cutdowns, sponsor spots, and micro-ads that publish during the event, while the moments still live.