If you’re a photographer or cinematographer, chances are you’ve used ambient light, whether you’ve known it or not. This type of light is everywhere, and can make or break your image — sometimes it helps, sometimes it's unwanted. So, what is ambient light? In this article, we’ll walk through what ambient illumination is, and how you can use it to your advantage for your next shoot.Continue reading What is Ambient Light — Lighting Techniques Explained
Storyboarding is almost always a good idea. This is true when shooting a movie or television show, but it’s also true for weddings, ads, and anything that might require a camera. In this post, we’ll break down how to storyboard videography of all sorts, plus give you a video storyboard template.Continue reading How to Storyboard Videography — Weddings, Ads & More
Upon first glance, a sonnet might seem like little more than a short, breezy poem. But sonnets are actually incredibly complex, utilizing a strict rhyme scheme and poetic rhythm. The sonnet is a difficult poem to master, but when it’s done right, it can be beautiful and profound. But what is a sonnet? Let’s look at the characteristics of a sonnet and how it’s been used by some of the most famous poets in history. By the end, you’ll know how to write a sonnet yourself.Continue reading What is a Sonnet — Definition, Structure & Examples Explained
To understand appropriate sentence structure is to understand the grammatical building blocks of the English language. By having a strong grip on the structures of your sentences, you will be a more versatile writer. In this article, we’ll break down what sentence structure is, what the four types of sentence structures are, and how to use them.Continue reading What is Sentence Structure — Examples and Tips for Writers
Irony is everywhere, both in art and in real life. Ironically, this can make it all the harder to spot. As one of the most misunderstood rhetorical devices, irony can remain elusive for even the most skilled artists and hawk-eyed audience members. In this article, we’ll lay out some of the best irony examples and explain what makes them work, and what makes them ironic.Continue reading Irony Examples — 3 Forms of Irony in Literature and Film
We’ve all heard of irony. We hear phrases like “Isn’t it ironic how…” incessantly. And yet, for all its ubiquity, irony remains a tricky term that gets misused over and over again. Understanding what irony means, and what it doesn’t mean, can allow you to further appreciate its use in storytelling, and apply its lessons to your own writing. So what is irony? And how can we use it?Continue reading What is Irony — Definition, Examples & Types Explained
Hand-held light meters might seem like an outdated appendage. Most modern cameras come with built-in light meters, and editing software is getting better and better at offering remedies to poorly-exposed footage. But light meters continue to be invaluable: a cinematographer’s primary job is to understand and manipulate light, and you can’t do that with a built-in meter or by covering up mistakes in post. Light meters allow you to measure the light in specific areas of your image, enabling the creation of a more dynamic shot without under- or over-exposed elements. There’s a lot of great and affordable light meters on the…
There wouldn’t be film without film lighting. Lighting is as crucial to cinematic storytelling as a script and a subject, and filmmakers have experimented with different lumination techniques for as long as the medium has existed. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about lighting for film, from terminology to techniques. Ready to dive into over a hundred years worth of lighting knowledge?Continue reading Film Lighting — The Ultimate Guide (w/ Video & Cheatsheet)
The release of Toy Story, Pixar’s first feature, in 1995 was a milestone not only in animation but in cinema as a whole. Pixar has gone on to change what we think of a “kid’s movie.” Across nearly three decades of Pixar films, the studio has consistently pushed the boundaries of animation and emotion. To try to decide on the best Pixar movies in the studio’s storied career is a thankless task bound to offend anyone who grew up watching these films. So let’s get started with the ultimate Pixar movie list, complete with emotional insights, critical data, and defining…
Our world would look a lot different without the Bauhaus. From sleek modernist buildings to advertisements on subways, it’s hard to avoid seeing the influence of the Bauhaus art movement in everyday life. So how did a small art school in Germany have such an outsized effect on the appearance of our modern world? And what, exactly, was that effect? Continue reading What is Bauhaus — Art Movement, Style & History Explained
