Perhaps more than any other film genre, a great horror movie relies on a great soundtrack. An effective horror soundtrack heightens the terror in a scene exponentially, scaring an audience before there might be anything visually to be afraid of. The best horror soundtracks are memorable, but don’t overshadow the film. They become inseparable from our favorite horror scenes. Can you hear the Psycho jabs without seeing Norman’s knife? So, brace your ears: here are the top ten horror movie soundtracks of all time.Continue reading Best Horror Movie Soundtracks — Top 10 Scary Good Scores
A good scare depends on a good sound effect. A scary visual is one thing, but when it’s paired with scary sounds, you’re sure to get your audience to jump out of their seats. Here are the best websites for finding the right scary sound effects for your next horror movie — all without breaking your budget.Continue reading Scary Sound Effects — Best Sites for Horror Sound Effects
The list of directors Rodrigo Prieto has worked with reads like a list of the greatest directors currently working: Martin Scorsese, Pedro Almodóvar, Ang Lee, Oliver Stone, Spike Lee, and Alejandro Iñárritu, to name a few. The acclaimed director of photography started in the independent film scene in Mexico, and first gained international attention in 2000 with his work on Iñárritu’s Amores Perros. How has Prieto now become one of the most coveted cinematographers of the past twenty years? The answer lies in his inimitable detail-oriented style and collaborative approach.Continue reading Rodrigo Prieto Style – DP for Scorsese, Iñárritu, Ang…
If Nicolas Winding Refn is known for any one thing, it’s style. Each of the Danish director’s films is imbued with a powerful, coherent aesthetic which guides viewers through a dark social underworld. Ranking Nicolas Winding Refn’s filmography, therefore, is a practice in ranking the effectiveness of his style. At its worst, it overcomes the film or attempts to distract from an underwritten story. At its best, it augments a captivating narrative and sinks an audience into a neon-soaked dreamscape.Continue reading Nicolas Winding Refn Movies — The Entire Filmography Ranked
After their first viewing, many people need the Vertigo movie explained. This Alfred Hitchcock film is beguiling and its initial release in 1958 was disappointing. It made significantly less than other Hitchcock films to date and it was widely panned by critics. Subsequently, Hitchcock bought back the rights to the film but it was widely unavailable until 1983. And yet, as years went by, Vertigo slowly ascended the ranks of Hitchcock’s filmography, from cult favorite to critical favorite. Now, it’s considered not only one of Hitchcock’s best films, but one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time.What is it about…
There’s little argument that Wes Anderson has one of the most distinct visual styles of any modern director. But Wes Anderson isn’t the only common factor in every live-action Wes Anderson movie: since Bottle Rocket, cinematographer Robert Yeoman has been by his side.How does Yeoman create the style so immediately recognizable and beloved by Anderson fans? We break down four techniques in the director of photography’s toolkit.Continue reading Robert Yeoman Style — Wes Anderson’s DP Techniques
The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most influential films of the past thirty years. Watch any crime TV show or gritty detective movie and you’ll see the movie’s impact in spades. Much of the film’s success has been credited to Jonathan Demme’s skillful direction and the cast’s legendary performances, but neither would be possible without The Silence of the Lambs’ immaculate script, which set the gold standard for serial killer thrillers. Download your own copt of The Silence of the Lambs script as we break down the themes, characters, and dialogue.Continue reading The Silence of the Lambs…
There are few terms in cinematography and photography more misunderstood than depth of focus. The term is often used interchangeably with depth of field, but the two ideas actually have two completely separate meanings. Depth of focus is critical to understand if you want to have a crisp image and a firm grasp on your camera operating skills. So what is depth of focus? And how is it different from depth of field? Continue reading What is Depth of Focus vs. Depth of Field? — Camera Essentials
Christopher Nolan is one of the most revered directors of the 21st century, known for his cerebral blockbusters like Inception and The Dark Knight. Much is made of his striking visual style and expert direction, but his work as a screenwriter is equally important to his career success. While Nolan’s cinematic subjects are far ranging—from sci-fi epic to revenge thriller to war drama—there are many common themes and tools that he uses time and time again. Let’s look at the Christopher Nolan writing process and what every writer should take away from it.Continue reading Christopher Nolan’s Writing Process Explained & Script…
Joker dominated 2019. Upon its release, it topped the box office and attracted an unprecedented amount of attention from press and public alike. Joker’s ending is without a doubt one of the main reasons why: it’s a third act filled with unforgettable moments and tantalizing twists. What makes the Joker ending so instantly iconic? The answer lies in director Todd Phillips’ use of form, theme and social commentary, all of which become clear upon further analysis.Continue reading Joker Ending Explained — How to Make a Satisfying Finale
