Kyle DeGuzman graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Television, Film, & New Media. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado spending his time writing, filmmaking, and traveling.
There are few things that can keep an audience more engaged in a film than suspense. But what is suspense, exactly? That feeling of intense anticipation can be found in various genres and have an audience leaning forward with their eyes glued to the screen. Understanding what suspense is and how it differs from other… Continue reading What is Suspense — The Elements of Suspense Explained
Anytime you see an actor handle or interact with an object in a film, that object was carefully picked out and acquired by a single person — the prop master. Films can have an incredible amount of props and each one is important in its own way. Behind it all is a prop master. What… Continue reading What is a Prop Master — Job Description and Responsibilities
There are a few iconic films that have transcended cinema and impacted culture at large and Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon is certainly one. Kurosawa’s exploration of truth and its expression in the film led to a term that would be used both in and outside of cinema — the Rashomon Effect. The Rashomon Effect is used in… Continue reading What is The Rashomon Effect in Film? Definition & Examples Explained
Most people are familiar with sepia tone as one of the first Instagram filters that ever existed. It might make you reminiscent of your great grandma’s old photos or old Western films, but when the tone was first created, it was a fresh and new medium for photographers to work with. So what is sepia… Continue reading What is Sepia Tone Photography — How It Works & Why Use It
Have you ever seen an insanely detailed photograph where every portion of the photos is completely in focus? If you’re like most people you might wonder “How did they capture this?” Odds are that they created the remarkably sharp image using focus stacking. Focus stacking is used to shoot a diversity of subjects from landscapes, to… Continue reading What is Focus Stacking — Examples & How to Stack Photos
It is not uncommon for filmmakers to open a film with a few lines of text over a black screen that set forth the tone or theme of a film. Oftentimes, filmmakers even use text over a black screen to transition between scenes or acts. Doing so can be an extremely direct and efficient way… Continue reading How to Write Text on a Black Screen in Screenplay Format
One of the more difficult cinematic aspects to communicate through a screenplay is pacing. Oftentimes, pacing relies on the cutting of shots and scenes. While the lengths of scenes can help give a reader the overall pacing of a film, how do you communicate the pacing of quick cuts within a scene? In this article… Continue reading How to Write Quick Cuts in a Screenplay — Examples and Tips
Without editors, films would never be made. They are one of the most integral roles of a film’s creation. Like cinematographers, editors are part technicians and part creatives which broadens their responsibilities. What does a film editor do in a film’s production? In this article, we’ll take a look at the role and responsibilities of… Continue reading What Does a Film Editor Do — Role and Responsibilities
On a macro level, the creative force behind the visual look of a film falls in the hands of the director and director of photography. However, there is only one person on set responsible for what falls within the four lines of the frame — the camera operator. What is a camera operator in filmmaking?… Continue reading What is a Camera Operator — Duties, Salary & Getting Started
Sound design is a key element of filmmaking that gives the world of a story more depth. This can be ambient sound from cars passing by or even birds chirping overhead. But what about sounds that literally move a film’s plot along? Filmmakers have used sound effects across all genres to motivate characters’ actions, create… Continue reading How to Write Sound Effects in a Script — Examples & Tips
Filmmaking is an incredibly collaborative art form. It is only achieved through the collaborative efforts of various departments. While all departments are crucial to the success of a film, in this article we will be covering the camera department. What roles are in a camera department? What responsibilities does each position entail? What is the hierarchy… Continue reading Camera Crew Positions & Camera Department Explained
Have you ever snapped a photo, been incredibly happy with the composition of it, the lighting! But suddenly you become overrun with dread to see red and blue color fringing around your subject? This, my friend, is chromatic aberration. In this article, we’ll take a look at the chromatic aberration definition as well as what… Continue reading What is Chromatic Aberration — Types and Examples Explained
The role of a screenwriter is to tell a story and create a cinematic experience on paper. It is a common debate as to whether or not screenwriters should write camera directions in a screenplay. Whether or not you plan to use them or plan to avoid them, it’s important to understand at least how to… Continue reading How to Write Camera Directions in a Script — Tips & Techniques
Great movies are often praised for incredible direction, cinematography, or performances. But one of the more important aspects of the filmmaking process that unfortunately does not receive proper recognition is costume design. Costume designers are more than just fashion designers. They are storytellers that utilize the craft of fashion design to tell a story. In… Continue reading What is a Costume Designer — Job Description, Duties & Salary
As digital camera technology has evolved, so has the post-production process. The raw footage which editors are given has become increasingly larger and larger. This can pose a problem for an efficient and seamless post-production process. One of the best solutions for these problems is the utilization of proxy videos. What is proxy video in… Continue reading What is Proxy Video — Editing and Post-Production Essentials
Filmmaking can be an incredibly daunting task. But it can be even more daunting with a lack of preparation. With all the moving parts that go into making a film from cinematography to production design to blocking, preparation is essential. One of the most common ways to prepare for a film is previsualization. What is… Continue reading What is Previs — The Art and Process of Previsualization in Film
Photography is a visual medium that has existed since the 1800s. Since then it has evolved both in form, technology, purpose, and expression. Photography is a multifaceted craft that is constantly evolving over time. What is photography and how is it created? In this article, we’ll explore how photographs are made, the mediums used to… Continue reading What is Photography — Definition & Types of Photography
When it comes to art, human beings are drawn to both harmonious and antagonistic compositions. While harmony in art can evoke pleasing emotions that viewers are drawn to, art with conflict can create greater intrigue and story. One of the most valuable techniques for creating the latter in art is contrast. What is contrast and… Continue reading What is Contrast in Art — Examples in Film, Photography & Art
Composition is all about how you arrange the elements within your work of art. These visual elements either fall under positive or negative space. What is positive and negative space and how do they work together to create a better competition? In this article, we’ll take a look at how the two work together through… Continue reading What is Positive and Negative Space — And How They Work Together
Whether you are a painter, photographer, or filmmaker, composition is one of the foundational principles of any visual artwork. No matter what equipment you are using, composition and the principles of compositions are tools you always have at your disposal. So what is composition and why is it important to know? Understanding how to compose… Continue reading What is Composition — A Guide to Composition in Art & Film
