Black Chip Collective | Production Blog

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Production Blog

Apr 12 2017

4 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Enough Freelance Work and How to Fix Them

A freelancer really has 2 jobs. The first is to be absolutely great at what they do. The second, much more difficult and painful job, is to consistently find work. It's something that the vast majority of freelancers struggle with regardless of experience level. The bright side is that freelance work snowballs- as you build a client list, you not only get repeat work from satisfied clients, but get referrals, meet contacts, and spread word of mouth to ease your work search strain. In the mean time, here are a...

Mar 24 2017

Career Success in Post Production- Interview With Zack Arnold (Part 2)

We caught up with Zack Arnold, an editor of 15 years, who has worked on a multitude of project types including feature films, film trailers, and TV shows such as Burn Notice, Empire, and briefly on Glee. He is also passionate about health and created Fitness in Post, a resource to help creative professionals stay healthy in demanding, sedentary jobs. We talked to Zack about what someone needs to find success in post production and how best to build a career. PART 1 Q: What would you tell someone who was graduating film school...

Mar 24 2017

Career Success in Post Production- Interview With Zack Arnold (Part 1)

We caught up with Zack Arnold, an editor of 15 years, who has worked on a multitude of project types including feature films, film trailers, and TV shows such as Burn Notice, Empire, and briefly on Glee. He is also passionate about health and created Fitness in Post, a resource to help creative professionals stay healthy in demanding, sedentary jobs. We talked to Zack about what someone needs to find success in post production and how best to build a career. Q: What traits do you need to be a good editor? A: In order...

Mar 08 2017

What Do I Bill For?

It's a common question, maybe the most common, right after 'How Much Should I Charge?' While there is no firm consensus on exactly what video freelancers and production companies should bill for, there are generally accepted practices. Initial Consultation- No If you know a freelancer who charges for initial consultations, you probably know a freelancer who has no clients. It's a nearly universal practice to give a free consultation to clients, because it acts almost as an interview. Clients can size up freelancers to see if they would be a good fit, while freelancers...

Mar 01 2017

5 Terms That Aren’t Video Production Expressions But Should Be

There are things, quite a number of things, that production people all know about but haven't necessarily given names. No reason to keep it that way. Blank Tie EventFor those times when you're shooting at a fancy event or in a well dressed corporate office. You want to dress fit the situation, but most of all you want to be invisible. Black slacks and a white dress shirt work great, regardless of gender. Dress like a waiter, you'll be fine.[caption id="attachment_20950" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Yes, it's a play on black tie event.[/caption] Industry Messiah A recent...

Feb 08 2017

Top Ten TV Openings

They get overlooked far too often, but opening titles are an important element of a TV show’s connection with viewers. They set an expectation and mood for a show and since they appear in every episode, they form much of a show’s ‘branding’. So let’s talk about who is doing it up right. There are way too many great TV intros to list them all, so, since we’re discussing modern filmmaking techniques, preference was given to more contemporary shows (and even still there were many great intros that didn’t make the...

Jan 04 2017

How Good Does My Video Have to Be?

“I just want the production value to be good enough so that it doesn’t detract from the message”. It’s something I hear a lot. The problem is, that’s not really one of the options. I take that phrase to mean the client doesn’t feel the need for stunning visuals and flashy effects to connect with their audience. Whether they’re right or wrong, that’s not the only reason, or even the main reason, to hire experienced video talent. If you’ve ever split tested something, you know how the slightest decision can have a...

Dec 21 2016

10 Production Tips for Better Green Screen Keys

Chroma keying software has made huge strides in recent years, but that’s no excuse for sloppy production work. Here are a few tips to keep up with the software advancements: 1) Resolution and FramingLet’s start with the obvious. You’re going to want as much visual information as possible. This means shooting at as high a res as possible and providing 4:4:4 files without color compression to your post team. In terms of framing don’t be afraid to shoot portrait or otherwise ignore every composition instinct you have- just make sure everything...

Nov 30 2016

Budgeting for Film Festivals

So you’ve finished your film and you actually have some money left over. I know you’re just itching to transfer it to one dollar bills and swim around in it Scrooge Mcduck style, but you’re not done shelling out just yet. [caption id="attachment_20660" align="aligncenter" width="700"] We’re spending a lot on donuts. Who keeps buying donuts?[/caption] Regardless of what your goals are for your film, festivals are almost always the first step to get there for any completed independent film. Done right, it’s still the best outreach you can do for your film,...

Nov 16 2016

Creating the Perfect Reel

You probably thought it as soon as you saw the title. There is no such thing as a perfect reel. And in a way, you’re right. Each person that sees the reel will have a different perspective on what makes a reel great. But if you know who is viewing your reel, you can make the perfect reel for them. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="630"] “Sure, I’ll consider hiring you. Do you do star-wipes? I love star-wipes”[/caption] First, let’s get this out of the way. When I say reel, I’m talking about work samples,...