Filmmaking is a complex process that involves various stages and meticulous planning. Among the important aspects of filmmaking is the pre-production stage, where planning and organization are done before the actual filming. One of the critical tasks in pre-production is creating a plan for the shots that will be taken. Filmmakers use either shot lists, storyboards or both to plan the visuals of their film. In this blog, we will explore the differences between a shot list vs storyboard and help you determine which is better for your next film project.Continue reading Shot List vs Storyboard — How They Differ &…
Have you ever watched a film that had some level of predictability, but despite this kept you engaged and entertained up until the credits rolled? Odds are the filmmaker behind the movie had a solid understanding of the genre. Most movie-goers have a basic understanding of popular movie genres such as comedy, romance, and dramas. But to be a filmmaker in addition to being a film fanatic, it’s important to understand the components that define a film’s genre. Continue reading What is Genre — Definition and Examples of Genre Conventions
There are multiple ways audiences can learn about who a character is. How they talk, how they dress, how they move, and how they interact with other characters all reflect a character’s personality. To capture a character as a whole, filmmakers often use the full shot. In this article, we’ll answer, "What is a full shot" along with the various reasons to use a full shot in film. We’ll also take a look at some iconic full shots from some of cinema’s best films of all time. Let’s dive in. Continue reading What is a Full Shot in Film? Types of…
So you’re a working or aspiring storyboard artist and you need to create a storyboard demo reel to show off your brilliant work. Creating a demo storyboard reel is similar to creating any other type of reel, it’s a matter of intention and precision in what you include. In this article, we’ll dive into how to create a storyboard demo reel to help you land the work you desire. Continue reading How to Create a Storyboard Demo Reel — Tips for Story Artists
The best animated movies in history all began with simple sketches. Creating these foundational sketches is the storyboard artist. The decisions and drawings from these artists influence the rest of a film or TV show. But what is a storyboard artist responsible for other than creating sketches? A whole lot. In this article, we’ll take a look at the role and responsibilities of a storyboard artist, how much they are paid for their work, and how to become one. Continue reading What is a Storyboard Artist — Job Description, Duties & Salary
Many screenwriters are praised for their witty and captivating dialogue. A skill that is far too underappreciated, however, is the ability to effectively incorporate action within a dialogue scene. Let’s take a look at how to write action breaks in dialogue and why using action within dialogue can immediately make a scene better. Continue reading How to Write Action Breaks in Dialogue — Examples & Tips
Imagine watching Inception with no explanation of dream levels—confusing, right? Now, picture Blade Runner spoon-feeding Deckard’s backstory through narration—just as frustrating. That’s the challenge of exposition in a story: delivering information without losing the audience’s interest. What is Exposition? It’s the way stories reveal important details over time, shaping how engaged we feel. When done well, it pulls us deeper into a story; when done poorly, it takes us out of it. In this article, we’ll break down exposition and explore how different storytelling mediums use it effectively.Continue reading What is Exposition — You Can’t Escape It But You Can…
Screenplays are a unique and often challenging medium for storytelling because they are essentially stories on the page made for the screen. It can be difficult for screenwriters to communicate the visuals of a film through screenwriting, but one of the best tools they have to do this is the slug line. They are used in various ways to communicate effectively and efficiently to the reader. Let’s examine how to write sluglines into a screenplay. Continue reading How to Write Sluglines — Scene Heading Format & Creative Uses
It is not uncommon for filmmakers to open a film with a few lines of text over a black screen that set forth the tone or theme of a film. Oftentimes, filmmakers even use text over a black screen to transition between scenes or acts. Doing so can be an extremely direct and efficient way at communicating information to an audience. In this article, you’ll learn how to write text over black in screenplay so you can use it in your own script. Continue reading How to Write Text on a Black Screen in Screenplay Format
Tasks are the building blocks of larger accomplishments. In business, art, and personal life, completing tasks leads to completing goals. Therefore, the name of the game is task management and optimizing the workflow in which tasks are executed. Few methods have been as effectively embraced for this purpose as the Kanban method. Continue reading Kanban Methodology Explained — A Guide to the Principles
