What is realism in film? We hear the term “realistic” all the time, but how do we know if something is realistic when realism is so subjective? Well, in storytelling, there is an objective way to tell whether or not something is realistic. We’re going to explore what realism is and how it's used in film, with examples from Pather Panchali, the Before Trilogy, and more, but first let’s review where realism began.Continue reading What is Realism in Film? Cinematic Realism Explained
The Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone script is one of the best examples of how to write a franchise-launching movie. Whether you have an interest in adapting a novel, conveying a fantastical world in writing, or a little bit of both, there’s simply a ton of value in studying the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone screenplay. We’re going to look at how the script uses its characters, quotes, and verbiage to build an unforgettable world. Join us as we jump into Platform 9¾ to break down the screenwriting aspects of the wizarding world of Harry Potter!Continue reading Harry…
Tim Burton is a filmmaker with a style so unique that we’ve come to regard his works — and those who replicate them — as Burtonesque. And we see the Burtonesque in every facet of his films: writing, lighting, music, characters and of course, production design. We’re going to explore the Tim Burton style and his singular mise en scene with the purpose of better understanding expressive filmmaking. By the end, you might be inspired to create something equally audacious and bold.Continue reading What is Burtonesque — A Complete Tim Burton Style Analysis
David Fincher is one of the greatest filmmakers of our generation – and he’s a director we can learn a lot from. We’re going to break down David Fincher directing tips by looking at interview clips and quotes from the man himself. Unlike other more guarded or mysterious auteurs, Fincher is very open about his process and why he directs the way he does. By the end, we will have a better understanding about Fincher's unique approach to his craft and that, perhaps, there is indeed a method to his madness. Continue reading David Fincher Interviews & Quotes on His Filmmaking…
What phone has the best camera? We’re going to rank the best camera phones to buy by looking at the two essential aspects of camera phones: the camera and the phone. Nowadays, hardware and software both play a huge role in image optimization – so we’ll keep that note in mind when ranking camera phones here. We’re also going to focus on the rear-camera systems of phones as those are the cameras used to shoot the highest quality photos and videos.The phones on this list were ranked by the following criteria: photo quality, video quality, specs, and price. Now without…
What is the setting of a story? Is it simply the time and place of a story? Or is it something more? We’re going to look at some examples of setting in literature and film to see how writers and directors communicate time, place, and more in their works. But before we jump into some examples, let’s quickly review how setting is an integral part of every story. Continue reading What is the Setting of a Story — Elements of Storytelling
Color space is one of the most difficult artistic concepts to understand – but it plays an important role in photography, videography, and editing. The ability to manipulate the image, especially color, has never been more powerful or exciting. But as the cliche expression goes, "with great power comes great responsibility." So, what is color space? We’re going to answer that question by outlining the color space definition. By the end, you’ll know why it's important and how to get started with it.Continue reading What is Color Space — Mastering Color in Post in Photo & Film
The Robert Towne-written, Roman Polanski-directed Chinatown is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made – which begs the question: what’s so great about it? Well, as it turns out, just about everything involving Chinatown is great. The Chinatown screenplay is viewed as the Hollywood gold standard; Jack Nicholson’s performance is considered among the all-time best; and Roman Polanski’s direction is irrefutably masterclass. We’re going to break down our Chinatown movie analysis – its legacy, historical context, and influence.Continue reading Chinatown Movie Analysis — The Legacy of a Hollywood Classic
You cannot capture a man’s entire life in two hours. All you can hope is to leave the impression of one,” says Gary Oldman in David Fincher’s oeuvre to Citizen Kane. But whose life is Citizen Kane an impression of? Charles Foster Kane? William Randolph Hearst? Orson Welles? Or Herman Mankiewicz? Perhaps it’s an impression of none of them; or all of them. We’re going to break down the Citizen Kane script by summarizing its plot and by analyzing its characters. We’ll ask questions like: who wrote Citizen Kane? And what is Citizen Kane about? By the end, you’ll know…
The term “Plot device” has grown to be taboo in the world of writing. Most screenwriters associate the term with an inherently negative connotation, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Plot devices have existed since the inception of stories, and for good reason.So what is a plot device? In this article, we’re going to define what a plot device is, then look at some examples from film that show how they can be used in both poor and effective ways. Continue reading What is a Plot Device? Definitions and Examples