Making It - Ep5 - Film Production Insurance, Shooting Schedules and Call Sheets

Today’s video is Episode 5 of our pre-production series - Making It. This episode will show screenwriter and director SC Lannom and producer Herman Wilkins as they assemble a film crew, rent filming equipment, and secure the costumes, props, and set design for the pilot presentation. They get a ton of help securing the gaffer, 1st assistant camera operator, key grip, and more from cinematographer Marvin Nuecklaus.

Part of the pre-production process is understanding where to find movie props, set design, and costumes for your short film. You also need crew which will include your camera department made up of at least a 1st assistant camera operator and cinematographer, but also your general and electric department which will include your gaffer, key grip, and any additional grips you’ll need to place equipment and set up lighting.

You’ll also need to secure a hair and makeup artist as well as a costume designer and production designer who can make your world come to life with set design, costumes, and props that fit your production needs.

All of these film jobs are integral to the success of your short film and filmmaking in general, but the other side of this is securing your film equipment rentals as well as production insurance for your film gear. If you hope to get a great looking film using professional cameras and lenses, then you’ll need to have at the very least some form of liability insurance so any damaged equipment can be covered and doesn’t end up costing you more than your entire budget. Our budget is about the same as a single lens, so affordable insurance is a much better option than crossing our fingers.

At the very end, you’ll see how the call sheet brings everyone together on the day of your film shoot, and how StudioBinder call sheets are the best because they send notifications to email and your mobile device as well as tracking confirmation status of each crew member so that you have perfect clarity on who will be on set and who you need to follow up with to confirm receipt of the call sheet. Another important thing about the call sheet is information on nearby hospitals, parking for the cast and crew, call times so that people aren’t on set for an unnecessary amount of time, and more.

This series takes you from pre-production to post-production to show you how to make a movie or tv show idea become reality. In this web series, we take a short film and tv show idea and go through the process of directing movies and each of the film production careers associated with creating a proof of concept for a comedy tv show idea.

No filmmaking theory here, just a step by step process of what it looks like to create a proof of concept tv show. The filmmaking process is shown to you in detail, and you will be able to see just how hectic making a TV show pilot on a small budget can be.

Take what you learn from this filmmaking web series and apply it to your next project, whether you’re a director, cinematographer, editor, screenwriter, or filmmaker in general. See how to find and secure crew, find film locations, build shot lists, collaborate with your filmmaking team, see camera work decisions, and filmmaking problem-solving in real-time.

We use our StudioBinder filmmaking tool along the way, so you can see how call sheets, contacts lists, script breakdowns, and more can help you create your own tv show idea on a very small professional budget.

#filmmaking #cinematography #filmset

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Looking for a project management platform for your filmmaking? StudioBinder is an intuitive project management solution for video creatives; create shooting schedules, breakdowns, production calendars, shot lists, storyboards, call sheets and more.

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[StudioBinder]

What's the biggest challenge that you've faced the day before your shoot? Let us know in the comments! 👇👇

[samueladams]

Honestly huge respect for including the disagreement in this episode. The reason this series has been so informative is because it’s felt so organic and honest. Great episode

[TheNoticeBlog]

That official shade at 9:24 though:)
"But when you're asking me for insurance, when you don't even have a gear list? It does raise my hackles a little bit.."
*That was the most elegant way to sum up how so many of us feel at times as producers. THANK YOU! And Kudos to this channel for including this part of the process.

[luqmansheikh]

Your channel is like university, I don’t even know how to describe your channel cause it gives you clear vision, cause it’s my dream to make a movie but I didn’t know I would need all this, I wish I’m one of your team guys, thank you all for sharing a such clips like this✌️

[gabrielidusogie]

Wish more hollywood films did these documentaries and released them to the public with the dvds. Sure we get the bts footage but this is more personal and relatable

[mattdawg]

I appreciated the segment on insurance. Having worked insurance myself, no company will insure anything unless they know what the cost is FIRST of what they are insuring. Not a difficult concept to understand.

[tbip]

I don't fully understand the disagreement. Why didn't the dp/operator know what equipment he wanted to use for the insurance quote?
Shouldn't he say what he wants, then the producer says yes or no? If yes they get an insurance quote....if no, the dp modifies his request and goes back to the producer?

[chnacr]

This was the best edited 15 minute video i've in a while!

[ThePlaceForThings]

love the tension during the insurance conversation 🎭 been there! these continue to get better. so looking forward to the next episode

[BadKarma]

My favorite guy Herman I like his voice he should do some voice acting or something it's unique.

[ORionCraig]

As a DP myself I can say the DP here was wrong. How can you expect the producer to pull a magic trick because you didn't do a simple part of your job. He knew the producer wanted the gear list so h can get it approved by the insurance. he even told him the amount of money available in other episodes. From the very beginning, he seemed pretty money hungry.

[rupertmovies]

Wow call sheets I don't think I knew of... I'm working as a boom Pole operator in my Film class and in a short film with my friend, I've learned something new from you guys every time 😊

[ShadowManV]

Honestly Herman was in the right during the " argument " GIVE him the equipment list so he can get you insurance. Marvin asking for it with out even supplying him with a list of gear was stupid on his part. Make him the list and boom he can tell u how much you get. Simple as that.

[RoastedPeanuts]

Wow this series have been a golden series since the beginning!
I am inspired by how you guys are extremely genuine, informative as well as really humorous and close to the viewers. I'm looking forward to seeing more episodes of Making It, please don't stop doing it, thanks a lot!

[claoons]

This channel is great! There are video essays, behind the scenes works, tutorials and guides. Such an underrated channel that showcases the beauty of film practically for free.

[thesomantics]

you should just make a reality tv show about the drama behind Studio Binder

[Fushikatz]

So it really can rain in LA.
Fascinating.

[RondellKB]

This is so amazing, not only are you showing the entire process, but you're also not just showing the path of least resistance so we also get to see the potential problems that can arise and how to solve them. Also, the production quality and entertainment factor is on point. Subscribed!

[maxedvideo]

These series were the most informative thing I've watched in a few last months. Thank you so much!
Wish I could see behind that scenes of actual shoots...

[chrislee]

Great episode. Funny fight. Can't wait to see the final product!