StudioBinder is a film production software built out of Santa Monica, CA. Our mission is to make the production experience more streamlined, efficient, and pleasant.
Literary jargon like plot and story are often used excessively to describe the same thing. But in this post we’re going to define plot in relation to story, so you can understand the difference. But also, understand how they’re connected. So what is plot in a story?Continue reading What is the Plot of a Story? Plotting Out the Basics with a Quick Definition
When you’re shooting a scene there are a lot of choices to be made about what’s in the audience’s focus. If you want them to see everything, then you need to use a deep focus shot. Today we’re going to go over the deep focus shot, deep space mise-en-scene, and see why these camera angles should definitely be part of your shot list.Continue reading Deep Focus Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
When you’re inside a movie or TV show most of the world is built around the character's POV. That can feel limiting. But what about when the filmmaker takes you out of the world and reminds you that you’re a viewer and not a participant (like an aerial shot)? Continue reading The Aerial Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
Browse Film Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be your best friend. We’ve included as many film terms as humanly possible all on one page, so let’s get into it.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
I think we all can agree, screenwriting contests can be useful tools for both new writers and those with experience under their belts. They’re excellent ways to get noticed, but some of the contests out there can’t take you as far as some others. So what are the best screenwriting contests to enter? Continue reading 13 Best Screenwriting Contests You Need to Enter Now
Have you ever been watching a movie or TV show and noticed a subtle change in depth of field that revealed some new detail in a scene? That’s a rack focus. Today we’re going to go over the rack focus. We’ll cover how to do it, how to use it, and why this technique should be on your next shot list. The Best Rack Focus Examples in Film Shifting Focus The rack focus shot explained Chances are good you've seen countless rack focus shots without even realizing it. Many are subtle and not meant to draw attention to themselves.…
We all know that conflict is needed to keep viewers engaged, to create an emotional response, and to ultimately, push the story forward. Without conflict in a story, the film, show, or novel, may seem a bit, well, boring. It’s also true that conflict can be defined by all of the “types” that exist — internal, external, people vs people, people vs society, etc. And while all of those things are helpful, it’s not a fully developed definition. This article takes a macro perspective, answering what is conflict in a story by highlighting why we need it in the first…
You may have a basic idea of what a line producer is, but there are so many different kinds of producers, are you really sure? It takes a minute to know the ins and outs, and the best way to learn is always to do. But if you’re a little hesitant to jump right into the role, we outlined some basic responsibilities so you can confidently answer “what does a line producer do?” Let’s get into it.Continue reading What Does a Line Producer Do? The Responsibilities and Duties of the Job
Mise en scène. It’s a fancy looking phrase that you’ve seen floating around many film-related articles, carrying with it an immediate sense of snobbery. Don't worry, you're not the first person to ask "what is mise en scene?" After today, you’ll have a better sense of this concept and its fundamentals so you can apply it in your next project. Continue reading What is Mise en Scène in Film: Definition and Examples
With so many places to debut your videos, getting the correct aspect ratio has become critical to your project’s success. But it can be tricky to understand.Continue reading The Definitive Guide to Aspect Ratio [with FREE Aspect Ratio Calculator]
