Dof basicsShallow dofDeep dofDOF GuideTYPES OF CAMERA FOCUS Shot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses Camera focus is more than just making sure your image is sharp and detailed. When you consider the storytelling value of shallow focus or how a rack focus can guide the eye, a whole new world opens up. Directors and cinematographers can manipulate the depth of field in film or photography for a variety of purposes. As you complete your next shot list, don't forget this vital aspect of image making. Today, we're going to review the different types of camera focus, how they…
Joel and Ethan Coen are filmmakers that play by their own rules, and they seem to delight in this defiance. The plots are never straight forward — they are either slightly confusing and downright impossible. The satisfying ending you were hoping for may or may not come. Who are the Coen Brothers? And what makes them such a singular voice in Hollywood? This is a list of the best Coen Brothers movies ranked — which ended up being quite a difficult task.Continue reading The Best Coen Brothers Movies Ranked (and Their Desk Motifs)
The future is unwritten — at least that's what they say — but the past is very much written. From a present-day perspective, we can learn about what was done and whether or not it worked. In storytelling, historical irony gives your characters perspective. It is a very specific type of situational irony so let's talk about how it can be used effectively with examples from David Fincher, George Lucas, and Guillermo del Toro. Continue reading What is Historical Irony? Definition & Examples
Denis Villeneuve, director of such modern classics as Blade Runner 2049 and Sicario, has yet to make a bad movie. His first two features might be flawed but they are still fresh and exciting. Between his 2nd and 3rd features, Villeneuve took a nine-year break but, since he’s been back, he’s never missed the mark. But what exactly makes Denis Villeneuve movies so good? This is not a “Denis Villeneuve Movies Ranked” article. Instead, we’ve taken a tour through his strongest films, highlighting moments that prove that he belongs on a list of the best working directors. Continue reading Denis…
Dramatic irony requires time to work effectively. And, in the best examples, dramatic irony unfolds over the course of minutes, an hour, or even the entire film. Similar to a three-act structure, there are stages to how it works. What are the stages of dramatic irony? We'll answer that with examples from classic movies so that you'll know how to use it in your own screenplays.Continue reading What Are The Stages of Dramatic Irony? Examples for Screenwriters
Darren Aronofsky movies show us the most complex regions of the human psyche. As the Black Swan director says, “Because we are filmmakers, we can show where a person’s mind goes.”Continue reading Darren Aronofsky Movies ― Directing Style and Technique
Socratic irony is one of the more manipulative types of irony. It's a tricky way to get information out of someone that can be used against them later. This type of irony is perfect for courtroom scenes but can applied in any sort of verbal confrontation. Let's define Socratic irony with examples from both drama and comedy to give you an idea of how it may be used in your own scripts. Continue reading What is Socratic Irony? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters
How often do you find yourself scrolling through Netflix for an hour trying to find something to watch? The next time that happens, put down the remote for a second and bring up this list.We’ll be updating this guide to the best movies on Netflix monthly, so all of you aspiring filmmakers out there can keep up with what you need to watch next.From horror to comedy and everything in between, it’s all gathered right here. We’ll rank each film based on its acting, filmmaking, writing, and overall entertainment value for people bored on Friday night.Of all the top Netflix…
Amazon Storywriter, Amazon Storyteller & Amazon Storybuilder were screenwriting tools for storytellers who wanted a cloud-based script writing option. Unfortunately, they're no longer available. But don't fret, they weren't the only game in town — there is actually a more intuitive and powerful solution out there: StudioBinder.We're going to walk you through what makes StudioBinder's screenwriting software more than simply an "Amazon Storywriter alternative" — it's an entire ecosystem of pre-production solutions.Continue reading Amazon Storywriter Alternative: Screenwriting from Script to Screen
Dramatic irony gives the audience more information than the character. It is a powerful type of irony built for suspense, but, in many cases things turn out OK in the end. That's not the case with tragic irony — as the name suggests, things don't turn out OK at all! Let's take a look at how it can give your script a healthy dose of tragedy. Continue reading What is Tragic Irony? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters
