It was the book they said couldn’t be filmed. Many before him tried— to varying degrees of success— but the Denis Villeneuve Dune adaptation stands as the definitive cinematic telling of this intimidating science fiction story. So, how was Villeneuve able to succeed where others failed? We’ll start by taking a brief look at Villeneuve’s filmography, then we’ll compare and contrast his version of Dune to past attempts. Finally, we’ll explore how Villeneuve’s directing style changed for Dune.Continue reading Dune — Denis Villeneuve Directing Techniques Explained
What is the best camera for beginners? When you’re just dipping your toes into a new craft, it can be overwhelming to parse through all of the various hardware options and find what best suits your individual needs. Whether you’re looking to get into videography, stills photography, or both, you’re sure to find an easy-to-use option that suits your budget in our rundown of the best cameras for beginners.Continue reading Best Camera for Beginners — Sony, Nikon, Canon & More
What is an analogous color scheme? How can it be utilized in your filmmaking efforts, why does it matter and how is it different from other color palettes? We will be answering each of these questions, examining how analogous colors function in traditional art, taking a look at the psychology of color in storytelling, and showcasing some of the best analogous color schemes found in movies.Continue reading What is an Analogous Color Scheme — Definition and Examples
Muzzle flashes are an integral element in every movie shootout. Though they might seem like a small detail, it can make the difference between a movie gunshot seeming cheap and fake or real and exciting. Muzzle flashes can be executed in a few different ways, and we’ll be explaining everything you need to know about this effect. But, before we dive into movie muzzle flashes, it’s important to understand the real-life counterparts.Continue reading Muzzle Flash Effect — Downloads, Tutorials & On-Set Tips
Are you asking yourself, how do I slow down a video? There are many reasons why one might want to slow down footage, but how is it done? The process is different depending on the particular editing program being used. In this post, we’ll be walking you through the four simple steps necessary to slow down video speed in Premiere Pro and we’ll provide tips for how to achieve the best results along the way. Let’s jump right into the first step and learn how to slow down clips.Continue reading How to Slow Down a Video in Premiere Pro —…
What are Giallo films? This Italian term might be familiar yet mysterious to horror fans, or it might be completely unfamiliar to you. Whichever the case may be, you will leave here with a thorough grasp of the in's and out's of the Giallo genre. This is one film genre that can be a little tricky to pin down as there is some disagreement over the exact specifications of what constitutes a Giallo film, so we’ll cover the matter from all angles. We’ll get started with a definition, then take a look at the roots of the genre, examine what…
What is a Slasher film? The name of this popular horror sub-genre might evoke a strong mental image, but do you know the actual criteria for what constitutes a Slasher film? In this post, we’ll provide a Slasher movie definition, explore the complex history of Slasher films, and take a look at some of the most notable Slasher film examples the horror genre has to offer.Continue reading What is a Slasher Film — Definition, Characters, Villains & Tropes
Martin Scorsese is widely considered one of the finest filmmakers of his or any generation. Of his long list of masterpieces, his enduring classic Taxi Driver remains one of the most beloved. One scene in particular has permeated the zeitgeist in a way few scenes manage to do: the iconic and oft-quoted “You talking to me?” scene. Watch our Taxi Driver analysis, where we took aim at the directorial decisions that led to the scene becoming so iconic. And in this post, we’ll be digging into the details of how the "You talking to me" scene was made from the…
The Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling was a late edition to the ceremony. And the addition of hairstyling to the category came even later. After an outpouring of criticism towards the Academy for not honoring the makeup work done in David Lynch’s The Elephant Man, the Academy instituted the “Best Makeup” category the very next year at the 54th annual award ceremony. It wasn’t until 2012 that the title of the award was altered to the “Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.” In this post, we'll not only give you a complete list of every Best…
There are many viable lighting techniques for film and photography, some cheap and simple, and some complex and costly. Short lighting is one technique that continues to grow more and more popular amongst photographers, but what is short lighting photography? We’ll be defining and breaking down the technique, explaining what it’s used for and why, and taking a look at some short lighting examples. This is everything you need to know about short lighting. Let’s get started with a definition.Continue reading Short Lighting Photography & Lighting Techniques Explained
