Craft Services on a Chicago Film Set: Best Practices and Local Vendors

Craft services and catering form the backbone of a safe and functional film set. A well-fed crew works smarter, stays fo...

Cut Commercial Production Costs with the Illinois Film Tax Credit: A Guide for Out-of-State Producers

Properly structured, this rebate can free up budget to hire premium talent, extend shoot days, or add technical capabili...

Whether your project is union or non union, high budget or low budget, you will almost always need production insurance ...

Illinois has a strong talent pool for both union and non union productions. Whether you are casting for a commercial, a ...

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique identifier for your production entity, essentially your business’s “...

A tax credit can act as real capital. For example, a production with $100,000 in qualifying expenses at 30 percent credi...

Budgeting an independent film starts with clarity about your financial limits and approach.

Call sheets and daily production reports are industry standards. If you have the means, defer to an experienced AD or pr...

Hire Illinois grip and electric crews with clear rates, equipment plans, and safety expectations for every unit.

Hire Illinois line producers and UPMs who manage budgets, crews, and incentives confidently throughout prep and wrap.

Implement film safety protocols and onboard stunt coordinators who deliver compliant, high-impact action sequences.

Think of the credit as built-in financing. By structuring your short to qualify, you secure $15,000 toward crew, equipme...

Even experienced producers can face unexpected hurdles that push a production over budget.

Pick a unique name that complies with Illinois rules. Your name must include “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC” and ca...

Reimburse Illinois crew expenses with clear policies, approval trails, and documented proofs that satisfy audits.

Scheduling a shoot begins with understanding that both union and non-union crews expect a reasonable, well-structured da...

Submitting your Illinois Film Production Tax Credit efficiently ensures you capture the full rebate and streamline your ...

As an experienced producer working in Illinois, it is important to understand how SAG-AFTRA contracts apply to lower-bud...

A smooth production depends on more than good scheduling and clean paperwork. On-set courtesy keeps your crew comfortabl...

Be transparent about your expected day length. Even for indie sets, your crew needs to know if the day is built for ten ...

When planning a shoot in Illinois, producers consider both union and non-union crews to balance budget, schedule, and qu...

Why Illinois Is the Best Place to Film Commercials. Learn more about Illinois film production tax credits.

Independent filmmakers know every dollar counts. Illinois makes it possible to stretch your budget while accessing quali...