Filmmakers always strive to make an audience feel a certain way when watching their films. One of the most fundamental ways is through lighting. And fill light is one of the most fundamental lighting methods to understand. It determines the contrast, shadows, and brightness of the shot. Understanding the fundamentals of light, how to shape it, and how to use it to elevate your story will make you a more well-rounded filmmaker. Once you grasp the basics of fill light and how it functions, you can create a lighting style that is unique and functional. Let’s dive into the…
While many actors transition to and from the world of theatre and film, there are many differences between live acting and camera acting. To determine an actor’s presence and ability to perform on camera, producers and casting directors utilize a screen test. The format and content of a screen test can vary. Let’s look into the various uses of a screen test and why they are an essential process during Pre-Production for every project.Continue reading What is a Screen Test in Acting? Definition and Examples
In most stories, conflict is the engine that drives the narrative, breathing life into the characters and drama into a plot. Depending on the story, different types of conflict can emerge bringing about different forms of drama and various types of stories. Continue reading Types of Conflict in Literature and How to Write Them
There are many ways to enhance the main plot of a film. You can flesh out your protagonist, establish a story structure that keeps the audience engaged, and fine tune the plot points that move the story forward. But did you know that introducing subplots can enhance your film’s main plot? Understanding how a subplot functions and serves the main plot can give your film the depth you desire. So, what is a subplot of a story? And what is the definition of subplot? We’ll answer all of that and more in this article.Continue reading What is a Subplot in…
Some of the most iconic shots in history have been taken from the air. The elevated vantage point that we rarely see in day to day life creates a unique experience for any movie-goer. From war films, to thrillers, to action movies, aerial cinematography has created some of the most iconic shots in cinema. Aerial cinematography was originally only available to big budget Hollywood productions that could afford helicopters and large cranes. With the rise of drones in cinematography, aerial cinematography is now more accessible to all filmmakers than ever before. That being said, it’s important now more than ever…
Shot Size Shot Framing Camera Angles Camera Focus Camera Gear Camera Movement Camera Lenses When faced with a blank canvas, a painter must first choose their brush, colors, and subject before they even make a single stroke. Similarly, a filmmaker approaches a shot by first choosing the right tools that serve their story. Some of the most impactful tools to how a shot both looks and feels are camera rigs. Camera rigs are camera support systems that help cinematographers add specific movement to a shot. However, they can also be camera gear that move a camera in a completely…
While we may not understand how it happens, some characters connect so deeply with us we feel as though we know them. A big part of this, is relating to why they do things. While we may not agree with everything they do, we may understand why they do it. This is where character motivation comes into storytelling and character building. It’s the invisible force driving all their actions and decisions. Continue reading What is Character Motivation in Storytelling
From comedy to action to drama, slow motion can be found throughout every movie genre. As camera technology evolves, slow motion is being implemented in both big-budget blockbusters and low budget indie films. Heck, you can even shoot high frame rate slo-mo on your cell phone now. With the tool being more accessible to all filmmakers, it is important to know how to write slow motion in a script. Continue reading How to Write Slow Motion in a Script: Formatting and Examples
Emotions are subjective experiences that shape our daily lives. These experiences involve both physiological and psychological changes, influencing our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. They are fundamental to our daily experiences, shaping how we interact with the world and each other. Our relationships, jobs, hobbies, and fears are all influenced by the emotions that emerge from our experiences. That said, emotions are at the core of our experience of life itself. So how exactly do they arise within us?Continue reading What are the Theories of Emotion — 4 Theories Explained
Cinematographers and filmmakers have depended on camera support mechanisms since the beginning of cinema. With tripods, dollies, and cranes, the mechanisms to support a camera have evolved. One method, however, relies on none of these mechanisms and has only grown more relevant with time. The handheld shot. It's important to understand how filmmakers have utilized the handheld shot to achieve more than just a stylized look, but rather a psychological effect. Before we answer the why and how let’s first address the what. What is handheld camera movement?Continue reading The Handheld Shot in Film — Definition and Examples
