When working with film studios, understanding film studios key terms prevents you from appearing unprofessional. You avoid situations where others have to stop their work to explain basic verbiage. The knowledge also enhances your professional persona.

An awareness of film studios key terms also gives you an opportunity to push production boundaries. Knowing the lingo and the processes behind the terms provides you with the necessary resources and historical lessons to experiment with studio equipment and create your own techniques.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Sound stage

Producers use a sound stage for scenes where they want to avoid extraneous noise. The sound stage is an interior soundproof studio or room used in movie production.

I recommend: Serious Materials provides solutions for studios that require soundproofing for sound stages.

Backlot

The backlot is the space on the outside of a recording studio that the director uses for producing outdoor scenes.

I recommend: RetroWeb offers images of backlots for many famous television shows and films such as "Gone With the Wind" and "Batman."

Production company

Studios use a production company to develop a film and to raise the funds necessary for the film process. Some production companies specialize in film, some in television and some in both venues.

I recommend: ProductionHUB provides an overview of production companies studios and includes information on the type of services available from each company, the location where the studios operate, the type of equipment used by the studios and contact information.

Back projection

Film studios use back projection, also called rear projection or back projection, for special effects as they combine pre-filmed backgrounds with foreground sequences. Successful shows like the 'Alfred Hitchcock' series used this technique.

I recommend: Anders Johan Nygren offers a detailed look at the process behind rear projection. The site also uses images to define the mechanics of rear projection.

Biopic

Some studios specialize in biopic films, which is another name for the biographical picture film category. Biopic films dramatize important characters from history, sometimes stretching the truth.

I recommend: The American Movie Classics Company offers a history of biopics, which includes coverage of some of the most popular biopic films studios ever presented.

Dynamation

When studios want to combine film techniques, they sometimes use dynamation. This is a combination of stop-motion animation and live action filming. While this technique was very successful in films like 'King Kong,' many studios opt out of using it due to its expense.

I recommend: Lee Krystek discusses the history of dynamation and highlights films in which studios used this technique.

Finding the right movie production studio and film companies can be paramount to the creation of your next film project. Film production studios are the resource to help you choose a location and they play a critical role in backing your endeavor.

Whether you choose to go with the services of major film studios or independent movie companies, finding the right movie production studio to match your creative vision and your budget is key.

To find the right movie production studio for you:

1. Consider your budget and your creative vision. How do those items add up? Are you going single camera with easy editing, or are you considering a large production with special effects and multiple locations?

2. Ask yourself, are you looking to go with one of the major film studios or are you looking to go with one of the smaller, more intimate independent movie production companies?

3. Review the capabilities of the movie studios that make it into your top choices. How do they stack up to your budget and creative vision? Make yourself a list of pros and cons, and talk out the benefits and downfalls of each with your collaboration team.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Utilize one of the many movie production studio search resources

Use a directory list of movie studios to start your quest for a film production partner.

I recommend: Find lists of movie studios and film production companies through the film production chart of film industry trade journal Variety or the Hollywood Distribution Directory from The Hollywood Reporter or try ProductionHUB.com or the Library of Congress.

Check out the major film studios

There are a number of major Hollywood movie studios. Many of them come with rich histories and long traditions.

I recommend: Warner Brothers, home to the Batman franchise, is a complete production resource. They offer 30 different rental and service departments to help both entertainment and non-entertainment related companies. Buena Vista (Disney) gives you a hybrid of live action animation choices. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) is a movie production studio that handles motion pictures, television, home video and theatrical productions. Universal Studios invites you to bring your next production project to their production facilities. They have competitive pricing and over 80 years of experience.

Consider an independent movie production studio

Consider the use of an independent movie production studio for more personal detail and a smaller budget.

I recommend: Silvercup Studios is New York City's largest film and TV production facility. New York Film Studios is another independent facility. Take a look at what's new at Focus Features, or look at Morgan Creek, who's been in business now for over 20 years.

Look at animation film production studios

Animation is a hot genre for adults and kids alike, so consider collaborating with one of the animation film production studios.

I recommend: Take a look at the video production studio Dreamworks Animation. You can also find out company information about Pixar Animation Studios.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even if you choose not to film on their lot, major film studios are great resources to helping you put together your collaborative artistic team.

Industry veterans, educators and individuals breaking into film can gain valuable insight about movie companies with film studios education and training. Learn about visual effects, staging and blocking, pre and post-production techniques and other skills related to filmmaking and movie studios.

For instance, you can attend internship programs or pursue certificate courses offered by film production studios. Additionally, you can seek degrees or diploma programs from film schools and movie companies. Furthermore, you can network with professionals at film production studios.

1. Join forums to interact with movie production studio experts.

2. Participate in apprenticeship programs.

3. Pursue degrees or diploma training about film studios to learn industry-specific skills.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Apply your expertise to community groups designed for film studios professionals

Network with others to expand skills related to filmmaking and movie companies. Forums provide the opportunity to share knowledge and gain industry know-how. You can interact with others about single camera blocking for film production studios, or camera gear and cinematography. Moreover, forums offer discussions about best practices to improve your techniques when directing actors or for shooting a superb green screen.

I recommend: Contact Hollywood Camera Work to join their forum of directors, actors, producers, visual effects artists and crew for movie production companies. You can exchange ideas and information about film companies. Get in touch with Filmmaking.net to access their community discussion group. Gain insight about distributing and marketing your film, casting calls and film festivals.

Train with movie companies that offer certificate programs or other types of reputable experience

Search for a certificate program that covers various aspects of filmmaking. For example, learn about camera gear and cinematography used by film production companies. Gain insight about building dollies and cranes. Ask about training with motion control and ways to direct and shoot. Seek training that includes casting, budgeting, editing and sound design.

I recommend: Study at Entertainment Career Connection Inc., a comprehensive certificate program that offers a mentor apprenticeship training. Learn from the expertise of real filmmakers. Contact the Austin Film Society to participate in the Internship and Film Referral Program. Gain valuable skills about film and filmmaking.

Acquire expertise about film companies through degree and diploma programs

Enhance your skills as a film professional with a filmmaking diploma or degree. Movie filmmaking classes, screen diplomas, a film-based associate of science degree and courses about digital and traditional filmmaking reflect reputable industry education.

I recommend: Apply to the SAE Institute, a global program with US-based facilities for major film studios education and training. You can gain skills as a film professional by earning their Diploma of Filmmaking. Contact The Los Angeles Film School to gain an Associate of Science Degree in Film.

A movie production studio is a hub of activity. Most major film studios in the United States have the technology to film television shows, movies and commercials. The studios are also equipped with the tools to create audio and visual effects for feature films. International and American film studios work to provide the public with entertaining and informative films.

Film studios are in the news with every release. Keeping up with studio news is easy when you find the best resources for news and trends. You can find film studios news and trends through many resources. Some of these resources include:

1. Online resources for film studio news;

2. News from the press offices of film production studios;

3. Trade publications for the entertainment industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find online resources for news and information about major film studios

Online resources are the fastest way to get the latest news headlines about film studios and production companies. These resources also include information about directors, actors and annual events such as film festivals. Most of these resources are free and provide free email updates for newsletter subscribers.

I recommend: Movie Industry Today is a digital news service that provides the latest headlines on film studios, actors and film festivals. The Hollywood Reporter has the latest news and trends for all of the major Hollywood film studios plus blogs and columns that provide additional information.

Learn about the latest news from studios for film production

Many movie companies provide the latest news on the events shaping the success of their own companies and films. News directly from film studios can be found through their websites as well as press releases issued from their press offices. This information includes news about new projects, release dates and any partnerships with other studios or production companies.

I recommend: Insight Film Studios provides the latest news on its upcoming projects and latest film deals. News Corporation, the owner of Fox Studios and Blue Sky Studios, provides news and the latest press releases for upcoming films.

Read trade publications for news on film production companies

Another good source of information on film production companies and studios is an entertainment industry trade publication. These publications are tailored to the type of information the reader wants including general film news, film production, animation and technology. Many trade publications for film studios also provide news and review films released by the major studios.

I recommend: Variety is an online and print trade publication that features a film production chart for U.S. and foreign studios. MovieMaker is also an online and print magazine that provides the film industry with news and information about studios, films and actors.