What is Persistence of Vision? Definition of an Optical Phenomenon

One of the most fascinating aspects of animation is the creation of visual continuity and motion, through still images. While technology may have changed the way animation works today, it hasn’t changed the underlying mechanism of the craft. If you’ve ever seen anything move on screen, persistence of vision is at play. So, what is persistence of vision? To start, it’s the very foundation of animation, but as an animator, how do you use it? How do you create that smoothness from frame to frame? It takes some understanding of a pretty basic optical concept that’s been at play for well…

What is a Tilt Shift Lens? The Tilt Shift Effect Explained

What is a tilt shift lens? The tilt-shift lens manipulates optics and perception — making it one of the best tools a photographer or videographer can have at their disposal. The tilt shift effect can be very dramatic but the way to get it is something photographers at any level can achieve it. So, how does it work, and how can you use a tilt shift lens to capture such fascinating images?Continue reading What is a Tilt Shift Lens? The Tilt Shift Effect Explained

Camera Sensor Sizes Explained: What You Need to Know

Inside your digital camera is a very important element: the sensor. Camera sensor size is definitely something to consider when renting or purchasing a camera. The image quality and the flexibility of what kinds of images you can capture is directly related to your camera's sensor. So how exactly does camera sensor size matter? Let’s take a closer look.Continue reading Camera Sensor Sizes Explained: What You Need to Know

The Breakfast Club Script PDF: Plot, Monologues, and Scene Analysis

The Breakfast Club is one of the greatest coming-of-age films of all time. The movie’s characters, dialogue, and organic conflict come together in a way that keeps audiences engaged, even when nothing much is happening. Because that’s the thing: Nothing really happens in The Breakfast Club.Beyond its nostalgic value, why is The Breakfast Club so widely studied and celebrated? Let’s find out by tearing down its screenplay.Continue reading The Breakfast Club Script PDF: Plot, Monologues, and Scene Analysis

What’s an Extreme Long Shot (aka Extreme Wide Shot)?

Even if you've seen only one movie in your entire life, it's likely that you've seen a number of long shots and extreme long shots.Filmmakers typically use these two shots to open or close a movie, or to invite audiences into a completely different world altogether. With that in mind, we're going to help you prep and plan establishing shots for your next project. First, let's break down the basics.Continue reading What’s an Extreme Long Shot (aka Extreme Wide Shot)?

When Were Movies Invented? A Brief History of Motion Pictures

We often hold writers, directors, and cinematographers, responsible for movie masterpieces. But who made this possible? It turns out discovering who invented the movies is actually more of a question of when, because there were different inventors at different times in history, and all had a hand in innovating the motion picture. Let's look at the history of motion pictures to answer when were movies invented, while also discovering who to thank for what we have today.Continue reading When Were Movies Invented? A Brief History of Motion Pictures

Manic Pixie Dream Girl — A Eulogy for a Character Trope

Here lies the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She was written into this world without a care in the world, and now the majority of movie-goers, filmmakers, writers, and well, human beings, have decided maybe it’s time to put her to rest.So let’s take a look at why that might be the case, examining this age old, albeit, completely sexist, character cliche that has reigned supreme in most romantic comedies, dramas, and other films in Hollywood.Continue reading Manic Pixie Dream Girl — A Eulogy for a Character Trope

What is Shallow Focus? How Can it Help Your Cinematography?

Cinematographic and photographic techniques like shallow focus can serve your story or images in numerous ways. And mastering it isn’t overly complicated. Some filmmakers do tend to overdo these kinds of techniques to capture ‘that cinematic look,’ but being able to answer what is shallow focus and implement it in your work, is still an incredibly useful tool.Continue reading What is Shallow Focus? How Can it Help Your Cinematography?

What Are the Best Wireless Headphones? Includes Over Ear & Earbuds

When it comes to buying new headphones, I’m a firm believer in trying them out for yourself - you have to hear the difference. But depending on who you are and what you plan on using your headphones for, there are some deal breakers to know upfront. This post will save you some time giving you initial insight to help make the best purchase. So what are the best wireless headphones to date? Here’s our top pick for the best wireless over ear headphones, and then our five favorite wireless earbuds. Let’s go.Continue reading What Are the Best Wireless Headphones?…

What is Nollywood and How Did it Become the 2nd Largest Film Industry?

Bollywood and Hollywood are the two most known “woods” in the world, or at the very least, the top two film industries in the world. Actually, it depends how we measure that statement. Nollywood is another industry that seems to be passing Hollywood in terms of the amount of movies it produces a year. How is this possible? It seemed to have happened overnight. But did it? What is Nollywood and how did it become the second largest film industry in the entire world?Continue reading What is Nollywood and How Did it Become the 2nd Largest Film Industry?