How to Be a...

By K. Correia

Boston Casting Inc., the leading casting director in New England, provides insights into the etiquette of being a Background Actor.

By K. Correia

With film and television crews descending on the region this summer, locals are finding they’ve been bitten by the acting bug. But what exactly is a "background actor"? Learn what it takes to become an extra -- union or non-union.

By Kevin Mason

Larry Nott - a man whose life goal is to be the best production assistant he can be.

By Mike Sullivan

Senior editor Arnie Harchik explains how he integrates 500 hours of studio, location, animated, and audio footage to create one season of WGBH’s Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman.

By David Willis

A production assistant’s survival guide to finding and keeping film work in New England.

By Raúl daSilva

The desire to be in charge of a film or television set must be matched with a purposeful attention to detail, especially for projects set back a few decades, explains industry veteran Raúl daSilva.

By Mike Sullivan

Michael Porta has found a niche in remote broadcast television, which can be a launching pad for other creative projects.

By Kate Fitzgerald

If you're someone who can make a budget, stay calm under pressure, is diplomatic, and doesn’t need sleep, then being a line producer might just be your dream job, says Chris Stinson. This month the NH native has four short films screening at the New Hampshire Film Festival.

By Nikki Chase Three-time Oscar winner, Thelma Schoonmaker, shares tricks of the trade, how to break into "the business" and what it's really like to work with Marty.

By Nikki ChaseDo you have a passion for fashion and a fancy for film? Then costume designing might be the perfect profession for you. Costume designer Walter Peterson shares the ins and outs of the business.

By Andrea Maxwell Rosalie McManis shares her wisdom gained as an Assistant Director on Mom the Movie, screening at this month's Boston Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.Also see the complete How to Be a... Series in the NewEnglandFilm Archives.

By Ellen Mills If you organize like a PDA, change gears like a sport scar, have the stamina of a marathon runner and can talk to everyone from the Production Assistant to the Director, then you may have what it takes to be an Associate Producer. As AP on the film One Sung Hero which screened at Sundance 2006, Will Fraser tells us what to expect from the job and what the job demands from you.

By Ellen Mills The Director of Photography ("DP") determines the composition, exposure and lighting for a film.  Massachusetts based DP Jake Messier explains what it takes to turn the story of the script and the vision of the director into the visual art of the film.

By Andrea Maxwell A behind-the-scenes look into a behind-the-scenes filmmaking career.

By Randy SteinbergTelevision Production Coordinator Susan Krause offers up some advice for newcomers in this segment of NewEnglandFilm's "How to be a..." series.

By Amy Roeder David White explains the ins and outs of being a storyboard artist in this segment of the NewEnglandFilm.com "How to Be a..." series.

By Chrystal Sturtevant For this segment of NewEnglandFilm.com’s "How to Be a..." series, veteran set dresser Helen Rasmussen from Portland, Maine offers advice for those starting out in the trade.

By Ann Jackman Indie Production Designer Erin Muldoon Stetson informs readers of the job -- from the first artistic visualizations to the imaginative use of color and composition in each scene helping to create the overall look and emotion of a film.

By Amy SouzaPatricia Campbell of Portland Models and Talent shares some tips and advice for parents of budding thespians.

By Matt Ryan Learn about the creativity, skills and tools that make a cinematographer.

By Chris Donner Industry experts comment on the best way to sell your work.

By Hillary E. Cutter Veteran NOVA and Frontline Producer Jon Palfreman and Independent Filmmaker Richard Moos offer advice on what it takes to be a film producer.

By Eric Aron Graphic design isn’t just for paper. Learn how it fits into he world of film and video.

By Kat Thomas Are you wondering how to put your musical talents to good use? President of Sound Techniques Lance Duncan offers up some tips to becoming a film composer.

By Lorre Fritchy Producing for notables from MTV to the NBA, Donlin Teleproduction Engineering has the know-how to teach future PEs the tools of the trade. Read and learn.

By Maureen Corrigan Do you have a passion for pixels and polygons? If so, read on to find out what it takes to be an animator.

By Emily Jansen Can you picture your favorite movie without audio? No? Then check out what Jeff Largent from Rumblestrip Audio has to say about being a sound designer.

By Emily Jansen As suggested by one of our readers (see, we do listen) this month, NewEnglandFilm.com finds out what it takes to be a film researcher.

By Maureen Corrigan Ouch! You’ve been bitten by the acting bug. But, do you truly know if acting is the right career for you? This step-by-step guide and interview with acting coach Dossy Peabody shows you how to find out.

By Kristen Paulson You may picture someone hunched over a long curled scroll, covering it with red pen. But here, professional Script Supervisor Liz Argo of Argo Productions, fills us in on what the job takes.