Blog
Articles on filmmaking technique, production planning, and industry knowledge.
Showing 8 of 32 posts (Page 3 of 3)
Closed Captions and Subtitles for Film Delivery: Formats, Standards, and Mistakes to Avoid
Covers SRT vs. VTT vs. SBV vs. TTML - which platforms require which format, how to convert without losing timing accuracy, and the compliance requirements for Netflix, Amazon, and broadcast delivery.
Film Reel vs. Digital: What the Footage-to-Runtime Math Tells Us About the End of Celluloid
Uses the film reel calculator to ground the economics of shooting on celluloid - cost per foot, runtime, processing, scanning - compared to equivalent digital workflows. An educational post with strong historical authority.
Timecode in Film Production: How It Works and Why It Matters for Your Edit
Explains drop-frame vs. non-drop-frame timecode, LTC vs. MTC, jam sync, and why incorrect timecode causes expensive problems in post. Includes a frame rate and timecode compatibility reference table.
Music and Picture Lock: How to Sync Score to Your Edit Without Losing Your Mind
Covers the practical workflow of working with a composer after picture lock - spotting session process, temp music vs. original score, tempo mapping to the timeline, and how to communicate rhythm and emotional arc without a music theory degree.
LUFS, dBFS, and Loudness Normalization: What Filmmakers Need to Know
Explains the difference between LUFS, dBFS, and true peak - why streaming platforms normalize loudness, what it means for your mix, how to meter in your DAW, and how to hit Netflix and broadcast specs without squashing dynamics.
Post-Production Timeline: How Long Does It Really Take to Finish an Indie Feature?
A realistic timeline breakdown for no-budget, low-budget, and mid-budget indie features - covering assembly, rough cut, picture lock, sound design, color, VFX, deliverables, and DCP creation with real benchmark ranges.
How Much Storage Does a Film Production Actually Need? A Data-Driven Guide
Uses real codec bitrates to calculate storage requirements for a range of shoot configurations - from BRAW on BMPCC to ARRIRAW on ALEXA 35. Includes camera card backup strategy and RAID configuration recommendations.
Video Codecs Explained for Filmmakers: RAW vs. LOG vs. Compressed and When to Use Each
The definitive codec guide for filmmakers - explains intraframe vs. interframe compression, chroma subsampling, bit depth, LOG gamma curves, RAW processing, and how to choose a codec based on camera, delivery target, and post infrastructure.