If you are new to the world of filmmaking, it is possible to be overwhelmed by the wave of production terminology and industry lingo that you are expected to know. One such term is the Abby Singer shot. You may hear the phrase called out by the 1st AD or another production member, and today, we’re going to break down what it means, why it’s called the Abby Singer shot, and why it matters.Continue reading What is an Abby Singer Shot — Definition and History Explained
What is Primitivism? The answer is complex and requires some historical and cultural context to fully understand. Primitivism bridges the gap between art and philosophy and has a tumultuous history. We’ll get started with an overview definition, then dig into the roots of the artistic style and the group of artists who pioneered it in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of Primitivism.Continue reading What is Primitivism — Movement, Style & Artists Explained
What is the MPAA? You may or may not have heard the acronym before, but you have definitely seen and felt the influence of this organization if you have been to the movies in the past 99 years. The acronym was recently shortened to the MPA, but most people will be more familiar with their previous title as the MPAA. This long-standing organization has a complex history and has been a powerful force in the film industry for better and worse. In this post, we’ll be unraveling the entire complicated history of the MPAA, but first, let’s get started by…
Have you ever wondered why movies are rated the way that they are? The rating a film receives can have a significant impact on its audience size and, by the same token, on its box office revenue. But, what do all of the various letter ratings really mean? We will be explaining each of the current movie ratings as well as all of the former ratings that are no longer used. Let’s tackle each rating in escalating order of severity, but first, a bit of background on the rating process.Continue reading Movie Ratings Explained — Origins & How They’ve Changed
What is world-building? And, more importantly, why does it matter? World-building is an integral element of storytelling that often goes overlooked and underappreciated. Good world-building might be felt rather than explicitly noticed, and a lack of world-building can leave a book, film, or video game feeling shallow. We’ll get started with a world-building definition, then explore when and why world-building is so important, and we’ll close things out by taking a look at some great world-building examples. Continue reading What is World Building — Definition, Examples & Techniques
Can you format a screenplay in Microsoft Word? And if so, how? We will be answering both of these questions as well as outlining the necessary steps to take, and detailing a couple of tricks that will save you time in the long run. Accurate formatting is crucial in getting your screenplay taken seriously by industry professionals. Read on to find out if industry-standard formatting is possible in Microsoft Word.Continue reading Writing Screenplays in Word — A Formatting Guide for Writers
What is a flag? Not the kind that flaps in the wind at the top of a flag pole; what is a flag in a photography studio or on a film set? And, for that matter, how are flags used and why? We’ll get started with a quick definition, then dig into practical tips for using flags in both photography and cinematography contexts. Continue reading Flagging Lights — How to Use Flags for Filmmaking & Photos
How do you format a screenplay using Microsoft Word? Is it even possible? In this post, we will be answering both of these questions and providing a free template to get you started. We will also take a look at a free alternative to writing scripts in Microsoft word, examining the drawbacks of using a generalized word processor, and breaking down how our template works.Continue reading Microsoft Word Screenplay Template — Free Download & Guide
Are you wondering how to add motion blur to your photos or videos? If so, you’ve come to the right place. If you didn’t get the motion blur you were looking for at the time of recording, or if you snapped some crystal clear photographs and have decided they would look a little better with some aesthetic motion blur, worry not, we’ll be able to add that motion blur in post using any of a number of different software programs.Continue reading How to Add Motion Blur — Premiere, Photoshop & After Effects
From time to time, a little bit of masking might prove necessary throughout our various editing pursuits. Learning how to mask in Adobe Premiere Pro doesn’t need to be a hassle. In this post, we will walk you through the four steps needed to create and use a mask in Premiere Pro. But, before you boot up Premiere, make sure it’s the right tool for the job.Continue reading How to Mask in Premiere Pro — An Essential Compositing Guide
