Have you ever wondered about the Hollywood terms in the credits at the end of your favorite TV show or film? Well, here are the people behind the scenes that you will likely see in every role of the credits.

Network:

These are the people who will be signing off on everything for the show, regardless of where in the country they are at. These are the guys that are paying for everything so even the production company will answer to them. With the network generally comes Standard & Practices along with lawyers. They’re there to check and make sure there’s nothing they can get sued over.

Executive Producer:

Often considered very confusing, this credit is sometimes the creator, sometimes not. There are even occasions an actor gets the credit as part of their signing. In addition they can be production company owners or network execs.

Co-Executive Producer:

Also dubbed the show’s creator and even considered an important member of the team from the production company. Credits are negotiated all the time and this is one of those that can be. Occasionally this is also given to someone who might be considered a Supervising Producer.

Line Producer:

These guys are generally at the head of insuring the show runs and stays in budget. They are usually set up to check time cards and negotiate what everyone’s salary is.

Supervising Producer:

This is a title normally reserved for those in charge of running the show daily and through all of the production stages. These will include pre, actual production and post. Occasionally they are called Co-Executive producer though not always vice versa. These are the guys in charge of production overall and delegation of control.

Senior Story Producer:

This is one of those titles that is often negotiated even for those not in a supervising position. In the best situations this position is in charge of a host of story producers to make sure that the story has consistent tone and structure. Without someone in this role either the Co-Executive Producer or the Executive Producer will take over these duties.

Story Producer:

Depending on the project this job can vary quite a bit. Generally speaking the job is made up of compressing any source material and creating outlines for the story to create a great and consistent story. Depending on the organization this position can come in anytime during production.

Field Producer:

Consider these your production front line. They will either work alone or occasionally with Story Producers as part of a larger team. More seasoned producers create a close working environment where the Field Producer acts as a connector that tempers out talent and story. Sometimes this position is termed the Producers.

Associate Producer/Co-Producer:

These are often considered the lowest ranking position. They the people taking care of the specific tasks from those further up in the hierarchy.

Assistant Story Editor/ Story Assist:

This position can be considered the organizer. They will help to insure the story can function and search for the right elements that will help to get the story told. They work closely with Transcribers and Loggers.

Loggers/Transcribers:

These are the people in charge of summarizing and reviewing to make the story easier to tell. It’s an important job working with transcriptions of interview content and can really make a difference in the time needed for production.

Serge Kozak writes advice and industry focused information on film production at edictive.com/blog.

Horror Movies have been a tradition since Alfred Hitcock first released “The Birds”. Since then, their popularity has grown to new levels and many sub genres have developed. While the classic suspense movies are quite popular, other niche’s have a wide following.

Slasher Films

Overview of Genre: This Genre focuses on trying to make the viewer jump out of their seats in suspense of the unknown or whats to come. On the premise cringing on the next scene, the beauty of slasher films almost comes relief when the event occurs because it was expected or unexpected. Mostly this genre consists of a female actress as the main star and usually the sole survivor.

Three Popular Movies:

1. Nightmare on Elm street – This is one of my favorites cause it incorporates suspense with one of man’s fears, his subconscious and uncontrollable dream state. Implicating you are the most vulnerable when you normally feel the most safe, when you are sleeping.
2. Halloween – Is a classic slasher psycho path and adheres to all slasher basics to a tee. Knife wielding psycho path goes on rampage with an agenda to kill the innocent till he reaches his ultimate goal of killing the female star.
3. Psycho – The ultimate classic in black and white. Hitchcock’s masterpiece and probably the inspiration to almost any slasher movies writing. Some will argue that this is the greatest of all time and can never be touched.

Blood and Gore

Overview of Genre: This Genre focuses on trying to make the most bloodiest scenes known to man and shock by pure presence of blood with an awe factor. This genre aims to be the more gross than any category of horror with the wow factor.

Three Popular Movies:

1. Dead Alive – Peter Jackson’s entry into gore was a brilliant masterpiece filled with gore from animals and humans alike.
2. Hell raiser 2 -with all good horror movies sequels will come generally and this one did not disappoint. Topping the first which was a classic by out goring it so to speak.
3. The Evil Dead – With friend being trapped in a cabin with flesh eating beings after them this one is not as gory as the first two but was so captivating with its plot.

The Classic Monster Horror Films

Overview of Genre: This Genre the major monsters and their cult followings. Although there are too many cults to talk about I’ll just do my favorite in each category and only name my favorite 3.

Three Popular Movies:

1. Zombies – Dawn of the Dead- the original Romero masterpiece is still the holy grail of zombie movies.
2. Vampires – Bram Stoker’s Dracula– this was the best Dracula movie hands down though their have been good challenges with popularity of the twilight sags and interview with a vampire.
3. Werewolf’s – The Howling- This was a close call just barely edging out An American Werewolf in London.

Conclusion: Which Genre is the Best?

In my opinion, I think Zombie films are the best. I like all genre’s as I am a horror fan,but my heart lies with zombies. They are the most real of them all and generally incorporate monster, gore and the suspense of slash. The choreography that goes with filming a good zombie movie must drive the director insane. Also the following alone with how many movies there are and the sheer popularity and the shift into mainstream TV with The Walking Dead series has pushed zombies as the horror genre to beat for years to come.

This article was written by Peter van Deusen – Peter is the CEO and President of Zombie Attire, a leading website provider of Zombie Clothing and Horror Gear. 

Anyone who has ever worked on a creative writing project will understand the experience of writer’s block. Here a writer may sit at their computer, just looking at the cursor blink on and off. Alternatively they might sit at a desk, pen or pencil in hand waiting. This wait might be for inspiration or for an idea but whatever it is when a writer has writer’s block it’s creatively frustrating. Even when a writer has a good idea, they might not be able to get their idea onto paper, or computer. For a writer who needs to employee creative writing but just can’t seem to get the right words out, finding a way to battle writer’s block successfully is important.

One way to battle writer’s block is to read a lot. This might seem counter intuitive; after all, shouldn’t a writer trying to overcome writer’s block simply write more? Perhaps, but often reading creative writing pieces from a variety of different sources can help give inspiration for a writer. This isn’t to say a writer should steal ideas, stories, character or even style from another writer but reading other works can certainly help a writer spark an idea or maybe more.

The second way to battle writer’s block is to write. It may seem redundant but sometimes writing anything can be hard. A writer could spend years nit-picking over every idea, every word, and every sentence that he or she writes. This will not only drive the writer crazy but will actually impede the progress of his or her creative writing. One type of writing is known as free writing, where a person writes what comes into their head. It’s important for the writer not to get focused on whether they’re writing something that is related to what their piece might be about or not. Free writing isn’t about analysing every word or making judgements, it’s just about writing. Whatever words or phrases a writer has in their head is what they should write about during a free writing exercise. If a person is trying to write a story about the French Revolution but ends up free writing something else entirely that is perfectly fine. Free writing is just a way to get the creative juices flowing and it’s a technique that many writer’s use with success.

Taking notes is another great way to battle writer’s block. Even if that writer is no longer in school, they might find note taking useful. Having a pen and a small notebook or a mobile device with a note taking function will make sure a writer can jot down any thoughts and ideas they have throughout the day. These ideas might come in handy with the creative writing project that he or she might be trying to work on or it could spark a completely new writing project. A writer might check their notebook while experiencing writer’s block and be reminded of an idea or inspiration written earlier helping to overcome the writer’s block.

Taking a break is also important. Of course a writer wants to be careful that a break doesn’t stretch too long but sometimes the best thing a writer can do when experiencing writer’s block is to just stop writing. Turn off the computer, put down the pen or pencil and do something else. This might mean having something to eat, taking a walk, meditating, watching television, going out with friends, reading a book, painting a picture, or doing something else entirely. Whatever a writer chooses to do is fine. The point of taking of break is to get a writer’s mind focused on something else, so they can feel refreshed and ready to tackle the creative writing project again.

Of course sometimes writer’s block can keep coming back over and over again. A writer may find that they have a great idea, but can’t seem to translate that idea to their writing piece. A writer may also find that they are intimidated by the mechanics of writing; grammar and spelling. They may just want to get the idea out there, but cannot be bothered with the technicalities. This is where the use of content writers specializing in creative writing comes into play. Writing isn’t a solitary pursuit and getting help from others shouldn’t be seen as bad thing. Content writers who specialize in creative writing can help a writer who has continually slogged through writer’s block with no great result. The content writer will write the piece that the original writer has wanted to write but just can’t seem to get correct.

If you are a writer, and you’re tired of suffering through writer’s block, why not use the services of a great content writing organization like I’m Write? Their team of professional writers can help you with the writing and editing of any creative writing project you might have. Best of all, you’ll be able to put that irritating writer’s block behind you; at least until your next writing project.

I’m Write provides high quality freelance writing services.  From creative writing to SEO copywriting, I’m Write has the words that work for you.

There is a significant difference in the way that the US television industry works compared with the TV industry in Great Britain. The money thrown around by US executives at ABC, NBC and Fox is scary, but it has promoted some of the biggest names in the industry in the last few years such as Lost, House and 24.

The TV line-up across the pond is meticulous and very impressive with its new trend of serialised shows extending over a season to a 20+ episode run, whilst in the UK, the likes of Luther, The Misfits and other various Drama shows are restricted to four-episode runs each year.

Dr. Who has revitalised the way in which the UK does television. Since its return to our screens in 2005, with Christopher Ecclestone starring in the lead role, it’s gone from strength to strength, largely down to the impressive array of talent put forth by David Tennant and current time-lord, Matt Smith. Unlike the cream-of-the-crop US shows, Dr. Who has longevity; the first ever episode premiered on UK screens November 23, 1963, and has had audiences gripped since with over 700 episodes and a viewership number north of seven million for the current series.

What Dr. Who Represents

For one thing, the idea of Dr. Who, much in the same way as a certain Mr. Bond, has become quintessential with the British persona. The British people are incredibly proud of their nationality and the much-loved sci-fi figure of Dr. Who represents a triumph in British pop-culture. When it first appeared, no one had seen anything quite like it; time-travel and monsters were things barely dabbled in within British culture and iconic creatures, such as the Daleks, soon found themselves ingrained deeply within the richly wound tapestry of British TV.

Bringing Sci-Fi Back

When it made its return, it didn’t set about changing the way viewers saw the science-fiction genre but instead settled itself as an example of classic sci-fi, not wishing to conform to contemporary trends but continue telling the stories that the previous audience had already cherished, and pushing it out there for a new generation who took to it immediately. It catered to two generations and ensured it adapted effectively to suit the audience, without ever losing the appeal that gave so many so much joy once upon a time.

Escapism

Essentially, it acts as pure escapism; for one night, every weekend, viewers can sit back and watch an hour of ridiculous, logic-defying action accompanied with astute dialogue and direction as well as low-budget special effects, and have a thoroughly good time, letting imaginations run riot and flow freely. Its silly and quirky moments cater to all ages and all varieties of audience, but its ability to throw in a poignant and emotional episode every now and then, when required, is lauded by critics and fans and has truly cemented its status as one of the most post-modern and greatest TV shows of its kind, and indeed, in TV history.

‘Why Is Dr Who So Popular’ was wirrten in collaberation with www.audiogo.com, the UK’s leading audiobook publisher and retailer.

Choosing the right cast is the best thing you can do for your production. Nothing else is more important than who you decide to play each role you have created. Of course everything else is important as well such as set designing, lights, sound amongst the many aspects you will need to organize. It is important to know the person you are choosing to fit your roles.

You will need to know their temperament, behavior, their mannerisms and professionalism as apart of due diligence you must partake before making your final decision as the person you choose can either make or break your production.

You may need to look into more than one candidate for any given role and don’t feel you need to cast the first person you auditioned but when you do find someone you feel fits everything you are looking for make sure you do not hastily cast them; as a good audition may not transpire into a good performance later on.

You will need to look for a true professional who will not only grow into a given role but someone who will also provide ideas and insights and develop good relationships with other cast and crew members. You should also cast accordingly taking into consideration each character traits and matching them with the right person.

You need to make sure your actors are comfortable at all times during the initial audition as they are keeping a close eye on your reception as much as you are evaluating them. As long as they are assured you know your craft and you are efficient and can easily communicate with them it will all flow smoothly.

Don’t expect too much though as an audition is not a good platform to judge an actors final’s performance or ability. It is however important for you not to lead them on or make promises before you reach your final decision and make sure to thank them for their time and effort. It would be best not to participate in the audition with your actors and to just observe as this will give you a better idea of their abilities and help you decide later on.

During the first read through it would be best not to start with a long speech as the actors may be too nervous to fully grasp your speech. Start off with the basics such as set rehearsal times or performance.  Explain your vision of the play to the actors and you can help them to join in your vision by showing them the designs and ideas you have envisioned.

Let your actors know that even though it’s the first reading you want them to do it with gusto and passion as if their life depended that that one role. Don’t allow anyone to just read through impassively. After that you can provide feedback while it’s all still fresh and get the actors to participate in discussions to smooth out any confusion or problems.

Make sure your actors understand the role they need to portray for example the correct accents, the correct mannerisms the correct action and reaction to situations in accordance to the script and story and discuss this with them as well as important aspects of the story so that everyone understands what is required of them and that every part can come together in perfect harmony to create your masterpiece.

About Serge Kozak 
Serge Kozak is the founder and CEO of Edictive. Edictive is an online project management software for film and TV production application.