Anything you need to know to develop a script. View various formats, download free templates, learn about scriptwriting software, network with other Chicago writers, check out film scripts.

Discover alternative methods to finance a project. View standard rate sheets for production equipment rental and purchase. Download a free budget spreadsheet.

Developing storyboards, gathering crew, legalities of a shoot and various pre-production package materials.

Professional tips and advice on handling on-set situations. Anything from equipment malfunction to talent morale.

Editing and effects. Articles on software and hardware choices, local post houses and more.

Share your ideas and find answers on our discussion board dedicated to production issues.

Lens Testing

Shoot camera tests Set up your camera and film a face sticking through a white cardboard cutout with each lens. Good color consistency can be determined by comparing whether the cardboard is a true white with each lens. If not, you may have to use a color correcting filter with that lens.

Use a lens test projecter Most camera rental houses have a lens test projector with which to test lenses for focus, sharpness and contrast across the entire lens. Take a detailed, finely printed chart and project it through the lens. This is a good way to see pure lens performance without any other variables involved.

Collimation When lenses are mounted at the incorrect distance from the film plane it causes the focus seen through the eyepiece to be an inaccurate representation of actual focus. This is a mechanical adjustment and you should ask the rental house to check the collimation of the lenses you rent.

Variable focal length lenses Variable focal length (Zoom) Lenses tend to have a warmer color bias. In order to be consistent, you may want to use warming filters like a 5Y or 10Y on your other lenses.

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