Most filmmakers likely know Denis Villeneuve for bursting onto the scene with 2013’s Prisoners. However, the truth of the matter is that he’s been directing excellent movies for well over 20 years now. With Dune just around the corner, it’s time to look at the best Denis Villeneuve movies of all time.There’s really no such thing as a bad Denis Villeneuve film, just lesser and greater ones. It may have taken him a while to find his footing, but he’s quickly become one of the most interesting and exciting filmmakers working today. Where do you think Dune should end up…
The Austin Powers opening scene is one of the most memorable comedic set pieces in film history. With skydiving, motorcycles and exploding helicopters, it’s an incredibly detailed shoot, and the only way the Austin Powers 3 opening scene was even possible was with detailed storyboarding. In this co-production with Sundance Co//ab, Director Jay Roach shares his original storyboards and explains how he used them to shoot such a complicated scene while balancing action, comedy, tone, and contrast. We’ve imported the original storyboards that were used for the Austin Powers intro into StudioBinder’s storyboard software to provide useful tips you can…
What do writers do? To be a screenwriter, all you have to do is write, and many people struggle with doing that consistently.A lot of screenwriters out there have the perfect idea for a film they just need to put to paper. Maybe they’ve already written a few pages or the first act. Getting over that finish line can seem like an insurmountable task, but with some helpful advice, any screenwriter can finally finish that first draft, which is the first step to actually getting a film made. You just need to learn how to write every day and committing…
The idea for The Lion King came in late 1988 when Roy E. Disney, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Peter Schneider had the idea to have an animated film set in Africa. The screenplay went through numerous stages, and over time, it became the classic film millions of people love today with heartfelt quotes, lovable characters, and an emotionally-satisfying ending.What can we learn from The Lion King script?Continue reading The Lion King Script PDF Download: Plot, Quotes, and Analysis
The Godfather is rightfully one of the greatest films ever made. Everything works magnificently together. But one of the most overlooked aspects of the film is how well the blocking and staging are. Today for our film analysis of The Godfather, we’re examining a pivotal scene in the character development of Michael Corleone. In particular, we’re focusing on how the actors’ movements and camera direction help tell the story. Be wary of oranges, and let’s dive in!Continue reading The Godfather: Analysis of a Scene — Director’s Playbook
Best of...20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 Ranking movies at the end of their respective years is always a difficult task. Some films may seem fresh and exciting in my mind now, but in a year, it may be completely forgotten. Still, these “Best Of” lists provide a unique time capsule into where the zeitgeist was at the time. As of this time, these are StudioBinder’s best movies of 2019.NOTE: As of this writing, there are still some major films I have yet to see. For all I know, Cats could be the cinematic masterpiece of our generation. So if you see a film you…
The Star Wars universe has given the world so much. From backwards-talking aliens to familial plot twists, Star Wars has sparked millions of people’s imaginations. However, the films also introduced us to one of the coolest weapons ever to grace the big screen: the lightsaber.We’ve already discussed how superb cinematography can enhance any lightsaber battle. Now, we’ll look at other components that help give some Star Wars lightsaber duels more cinematic resonance than others. But don’t worry. Even if you aren’t directing a Star Wars film any time soon, you can still use these pointers to enhance fight scenes in…
Few fight scenes in cinema are as exhilarating as a lightsaber duel in the Star Wars franchise. Everyone has their own personal favorites, but one of the most well-choreographed and filmed lightsaber combat scenes put to film is the Throne Room scene in The Last Jedi. A lot of people may watch this lightsaber fight and think it’s just cool to look at, which is certainly is. However, when you really break it down, director Rian Johnson, well known for his unique directorial style, utilizes expert techniques to make the fight scene really stand out. It’s arguably one of the…
Jay Roach has filmed some of the greatest comedies of all time with his work on the Austin Powers trilogy and Meet the Fockers. In recent years, he’s turned his attention to more politically-oriented stories like Trumbo and the upcoming Bombshell. As part of our ongoing partnership with Sundance Co//ab, Jay Roach recently sat down with us to discuss how he created a claustrophobic, tense elevator scene for Bombshell.Watch: In the Frame with Jay RoachSubscribe for more filmmaking videos like this.Directed by Jay RoachBombshell (2019)Bombshell focuses on three women who worked for Fox News and set out to expose the…
Catherine Hardwicke is a director best known for her work on Lords of Dogtown, Miss Bala, and Twilight. In a joint project with Co//ab, StudioBinder recently sat down with the talented director about her work on Twilight and how she was able to bring emotion to the climactic final battle. A lot of directorial decisions went into this one scene, so see what inspiration can be gleaned from her years of experience in the film industry.Continue reading In the Frame with Catherine Hardwicke — Twilight
