One of the most astounding facts of cinema is how long it takes to produce a movie that runs an hour and a half. How could something rather short in time take years to produce? How long does it take to make a movie? In this article, we’ll break down every phase of the filmmaking production process. We’ll also take a look at how long each phase typically takes in the production of a standard Hollywood studio film. From the birth of the concept to the final cut, here is every phase of the film production timeline. Continue reading How Long…
Auteur filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson is an ideal example of a storyteller that has grown and matured with time and practice. His fifth feature film There Will Be Blood is a capstone to the restrained, yet powerful storytelling ability he has come to possess with time. It also remains his most acclaimed film. What makes There Will Be Blood so great? As in every film, it all begins with the screenplay. Let’s analyze the different components of the There Will Be Blood script and how they all work together to tell an incredible, engaging story.Continue reading There Will Be Blood…
As film’s continue to break box office records year after year, it is more important now than ever for writers to be protected. Protection over their work, money, and even their health and wellness. With major studios raking in billions of dollars annually, the WGA has ensured that writers throughout the country claim their fair share. So what is WGA and why does it matter? In this article we’ll clarify the history of the Writers Guild of America and the pros and cons of joining.Continue reading What is WGA — The Writers Guild of America Explained
Pixar has always found a way to tell stories that appeal not only to children, but to audiences of all ages. The Inside Out script proves to be no different. The complex concepts of emotional intelligence are simplified, but not compromised in this entertaining tale of a girl coming to terms with the changes in her life and how her emotions help her get there. Creating this story, however, was not a simple process. Let’s take a look at how the folks over at Pixar constructed Inside Out on the page.Continue reading Inside Out Script PDF Download: Plot, Characters &…
Despite the ever advancing technology in the realm of digital cameras, many photographers are finding their way back to shooting on film cameras. There is something unique and nostalgic about photos shot the old analog way. But as any new film shooter soon finds out, shooting film can be expensive and timely. So how can you shoot digital, but edit your photos to look like film? Here are five tips that will make your digital photos look like they were shot on a film camera in no time. Continue reading How to Make Photos Look Like Film — Editing Tips…
Have you ever changed the focus of your lens and noticed something… change? Not just the focus, but the image itself reframes and changes size. This is focus breathing. It can be annoying and distract your audience when it occurs in the middle of a shot. What is focus breathing and why does it occur? In this article, we’ll dive into the definition of focus breathing, why it happens, and some tips on how to anticipate or avoid it all together.Continue reading What is Focus Breathing — Camera Lens Techniques Explained
One of the most important parts of creating an engaging film is being efficient with time. As a storyteller, you must make sure that you are communicating the necessary plot information to your audience without boring them with superfluous details. A bridging shot helps filmmakers accomplish exactly this. When a story jumps from one moment to another that is at a different time or place, bridging shots help communicate this change in an efficient yet effective way. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the bridging shot and how it can be an incredibly useful filmmaking tool.Continue reading…
The world of animated movies has opened doors to limitless types of stories. It’s limitlessness, however, comes at the cost of labor. The innumerable moving parts of an animated movie production are all overseen by a director. While it can sound like an overwhelming task, directing an animated movie can be broken down more simply. In this article, we’ll dive into how to direct an animated movie, the stages of creating an animated movie and the director's role throughout production. Continue reading How to Direct an Animated Movie From A to Z in 10 Steps
The advent of the internet is arguably the biggest revolution in education since the invention of the printing press. Anything and everything you want to learn about is at the tips of your fingertips including the best cinematography courses. It may be overwhelming to find the best sites and courses online, so we curated a list of the best online cinematography courses that you can start today. Continue reading Best Cinematography Online Courses — Basic & Advanced
It is not uncommon for writers to find inspiration from their dreams. Dreams are a canvas of the subconscious that humans have innately interpreted throughout history. This allure to deciphering dreams has made them an incredible storytelling mechanism. Many screenwriters utilize dream sequences for their strong imagery and effective storytelling abilities. In this article, we’ll analyze how to write dream sequences in film and the do’s and don’t of the craft. Continue reading How to Write Dream Sequences in Film — Format & Story Tips
