Sam Kench is an internationally-awarded screenwriter, independent filmmaker, and film critic. Lover of foreign films; hater of American remakes.
Have you ever wondered what the ‘p’ stands for in 720p? What about the ‘i’ in 1080i? They stand for progressive scan and interlaced respectively, but what do those terms actually mean? We’ll be defining both as well as weighing which is better and why. Let’s get started by comparing the definitions. Continue reading Interlaced vs Progressive Scan — All the Differences Explained
What is flat lighting? You may have heard the term applied to a sitcom or used derisively in a critique of a film’s cinematography, but what does it actually mean? We’ll be providing a definition for flat lighting, explaining the causes and how to avoid it, and detailing when and why flat lighting might actually be the best way to light a scene. Continue reading What is Flat Lighting — Photo & Film Examples & Techniques
What is a megapixel? And for that matter, what does it mean for a phone to have a 10 megapixel camera, or for a monitor to have a 1080p resolution? We’ll be answering all of these questions and more. By the end of this post, you will know everything you need to know about megapixels. Continue reading What is a Megapixel — Art & Science of Megapixels Explained
What is the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom? Is one better than the other? We will be answering those questions and providing definitions for both types of zoom. Before we get into comparing and contrasting optical zoom and digital zoom, let’s first take a look at each zoom type individually.Continue reading Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom — Why the Difference Matters
What is Photorealism as an art style? The name might sound self-explanatory, but the truth is a bit more complicated, and there are a number of details and historical insights that present photorealism in a new light. The term can also mean slightly different things depending on the context. We’ll be telling you everything you need to know about Photorealism, starting with a comprehensive definition.Continue reading What is Photorealism — The Art of the Real Explained
Do you have a shaky video on your hands that you need to make smoother? The solution might be to stabilize your footage in Adobe Premiere Pro. This post will walk you through three simple steps to stabilize your footage in Premiere, plus offer a few tips and tricks to best set yourself up for success. But before we jump into Premiere, let’s start with a primer on best practices for shooting your footage.Continue reading How to Stabilize Footage in Premiere Pro — Step-by-Step
What is slice of life? Slice of life is a storytelling genre defined by the tone, scope, and subject matter it chooses to focus on. In this post, we will be breaking down and defining the slice-of-life genre, taking a look at the differences between high and low concept stories, and offering examples of the best films that the slice-of-life genre has to offer. Continue reading What is Slice of Life — Exploring a Down-to-Earth Sub-Genre
What is white balance? White balance is a vital camera setting to properly calibrate in order to achieve your desired image. If you have ever taken a photograph or video and found the result to look unnatural blue or yellow, then improper white balance is to blame. We’ll break down what white balance is, how to calibrate it, and what to do if you have already shot your footage without white balancing beforehand.Continue reading What is White Balance — How it Works and Why It Matters
What is day for night? And, perhaps more importantly, is it a good idea? There is plenty of debate over the effectiveness of day for night and, even though the technique is used in plenty of feature-films, many filmmakers wouldn’t touch day for night with a ten-foot pole. In this post we will be defining day for night, weighing the pros and cons of shooting day for night, and even giving a couple of tips for getting the best results if you do decide to shoot day for night. Let’s get started with a definition.Continue reading How to Shoot Day…
What are microphone polar patterns? If you don’t work in the audio field, then the term may be completely unfamiliar to you. Having a working knowledge of polar patterns, also known as pickup patterns, is crucial when it comes to choosing the best microphone or microphones to use for a specific project. We’ll break down what a polar pattern is and explain the different types of patterns.Continue reading What are Microphone Polar Patterns — And Why They Matter
