[Editor's Note: No Film School asked Adrijana Lazarevic to collect these 99 templates because of her expertise working with filmmakers at Filestage.io.]
No one really feels like doing paperwork, but let’s be honest: no good film comes without organization and planning.
That’s where templates can help you out. I work at a startup that creates software for filmmakers, and we see how busy you are every day, so we collected the most helpful templates, guides, and checklists out there to make your life a little easier.
They really help save time for what matters most: letting your creativity flow and producing breathtaking movies that won’t be forgotten. We've also covered the topic of free filmmaker documents before, as well as how you can use free templates for production reports.
The categories covered in this list are: Script Prep/Pre-production, Storyboard/Mood Board Templates, Shot List Templates, Script Breakdown Sheets, Budgeting, Accounting, Personnel/Cast Forms, Insurance Forms, Equipment Documents, Production/Shooting, and Music Releases.
Much of your planning happens well before production, including trying to get investors on board and starting to determine who your audience will be. Here are some templates for early steps, including a form for "optioning" a story that you want to produce, and a director's worksheet that lays out what you'd like to see happen in each scene.
Storyboarding is a cornerstone of the filmmaking process. A storyboard is a sequence of drawings that paint a picture of the your storyline, showing the structure of, and vision for, key scenes. We've also included a moodboard sheet for establishing the visual style of your film.
Organization is the key to a successful shoot. With the help of a shot list, you can easily arrange single shots within any given scene. You can determine, for example, the number of shots necessary to capture a particular action most effectively. Give it a try with one of these practical templates.
Here you can find helpful templates providing detailed descriptions of scenes, and the equipment and personnel assigned to each one. This way, you never lose sight, and can make sure everything is going according to plan.
While making a film, you or your producer have to keep a lot of things in mind and, before you know it, you can easily go over budget. This compilation of templates will help make sure that you don't lose sight of your financial statements. Some of them additionally provide examples of budgeting.
Once you have a budget, you have to actually do the accounting. Maintaining an overview of your finances and money flow is crucial. Check your financial resources by making notes of their movement. These forms will help you keep track.
From general contracts and agreements to crew templates, many of these forms are necessary to lay out a foundation for the business behind your film and get a good team on board.
So you found the most suitable locations to portray your vision. Now, as with everything else, you need to do the paperwork and take care of business These templates have you covered. But also don't forget to read our primer on locations in the first place!
Keep in mind that life doesn’t always have a bright side. Especially when it comes to accidents or health problems. Therefore, always insure your crew, yourself and the equipment. These templates will get you started.
A movie is usually not made by a smartphone in one hand and a music player in the other. You need a whole bunch of stuff, plus, you have to deal with it. Cameras, recorders, lights, a whole set, and so on; all this has its price and needs to be paid attention to. These forms can help.
You've got your cast & crew, locations, and equipment and now you're onto the shoot: the time when staying organized is most crucial. To avoid slip-ups, interruptions or any other negative factors that make your life as director harder than it should be, use these forms. This list includes call sheets, your essential tool for communicating requirements with everyone on set.
Imagine movies without any music—unthinkable! Music is an essential part of a film experience. But, just as films have their patents and rights of use and enjoyment, sounds and music do too. And the legal use of music can be complicated. Here are some of the papers that help you do things right.
Filestage is a web app for filmmakers to share, review and approve videos efficiently. Clients and co-workers comment directly in your videos and design-frames accurately. All visual projects can be managed at ease.
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RED Digital Cinema has announced some major price cuts to two of their popular cinema camera systems, but why?
Sep 04, 2024It’s now been just over six months since RED Digital Cinema announced that they were being acquired by Nikon. And, despite lots of rumors and speculation, there really hasn’t been much news announced by either brand regarding the acquisition besides promises to keep things the same.
So while this price cut announcement from RED might appear to be small news perhaps, it’s a bit more interesting because it’s really one of the first announcements from RED since the acquisition with any real substance.
The price cuts are for RED’s KOMODO-X and KOMODO cinema camera systems and represent up to 30 percent savings for each. Let’s take a look at the full numbers for the cameras and the different pack options, as well as explore a bit about why this might be happening now.
To start, here are the price cuts for the RED KOMODO and KOMODO-X which should see the KOMODO‑X now starting at $6,995 and for KOMODO at $4,995. Here are the new prices for the different pack options:
The KOMODO of course features the breakthrough global shutter sensor which is known for maintaining RED’s high standard of image quality and dynamic range. The KOMODO‑X also has the groundbreaking 6K S35 global shutter sensor but with increased low-light performance and frame rates at 6K 80P and 4K 120P all in a form factor of only 4x4x5 inches and 2.6 lbs.
RED Digital Cinema also shared a statement about the price cut from their CEO Keiji Oishi which doesn’t share too much about why—but is interesting nonetheless.
"RED's KOMODO lineup has only grown in popularity over the years. Since joining RED, I have heard filmmakers rave about KOMODO’s small form factor and the amazing performance of the global shutter sensor. We’re excited to introduce this new pricing which lowers the hurdle for a new group of filmmakers to take advantage of the exceptional cinema quality and creative possibilities of RED cameras." — RED Digital Cinema CEO Keiji Oishi.
And another follow-up:
“RED always strives to create an accessible and reliable avenue for artists at any level to get their hands on premier cinema grade imaging technology. The KOMODO remains one of the most versatile and powerful camera systems that RED has ever developed, and democratizing image capture technology at this level will always remain part of RED’s DNA.” — RED Digital Cinema CEO Keiji Oishi.
This is all to say it’s interesting that RED is doing anything at all at this point. This could indicate that RED is aware of its sales and looking to boost its numbers. Or perhaps bigger changes are on the way and this is just clearing room and inventory for bigger announcements in the coming months from both RED and Nikon.
