Best Martin Scorsese Films — His Entire Filmography Ranked

Martin Scorsese is the true king of cinema. While most filmmakers are lucky to have just one film that stands the test of time, Scorsese has had hit after hit across five decades. Saying “the best Martin Scorsese films” is like saying “the best chili cheese fries” because even when they’re not the greatest, they’re… Continue reading Best Martin Scorsese Films — His Entire Filmography Ranked

30 Best Underrated Horror Movies To Watch This Halloween

Best Horror MoviesOpen menu Best Horror Movies of All Time Best Christmas Horror Movies Best Zombie Movies Best New Zombie Movies Best Vampire Movies Best Jump Scare Movies Best 1980s Vampire Movies Best Werewolf Movies Best Stephen King Movies and TV Shows Best Underrated Horror Movies Best Scary Movies Best Horror Movie Soundtracks EssentialsOpen menu… Continue reading 30 Best Underrated Horror Movies To Watch This Halloween

What is Black Comedy — Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

What is black comedy? Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and wondered how the characters could joke about violence, disease, or war? That’s what we refer to as black comedy. It goes by many names. Dark humor. Gallows humor. Dark comedy. It all means the same thing. And in this blog, you’ll learn… Continue reading What is Black Comedy — Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

What is an Art Director in Film — Job Description Explained

Art DepartmentOpen menu Art Director Production Designer Prop Master Prop Maker Storyboard Artist Concept Artist Scenic Artist Set Decorator Set Dresser Set Designer Weapons Master Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions You may have watched a film’s end credits and thought to yourself, “What is an art director in film?” After all, numerous industries, such… Continue reading What is an Art Director in Film — Job Description Explained

How to Master Rembrandt Lighting in Photography and Video

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is… Continue reading How to Master Rembrandt Lighting in Photography and Video

What is a Pun — Definition, Examples, and Tips on Writing Them

What’s the internal temperature of a Tauntaun? Lukewarm. A pun is so much more than your average joke. It demonstrates an ability to expertly maneuver your way around language for humorous or rhetorical effect. Whether you want to add a dad joke or a hidden Easter egg to your script, you should learn the answer… Continue reading What is a Pun — Definition, Examples, and Tips on Writing Them

20 Best Christmas Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked (2023)

Christmas is a time of year associated with presents, good cheer, and depending on who you ask, a great deal of gore and monsters. There’s just something about the jolly holiday season that makes for excellent juxtaposition with the horror genre. There have been plenty of mash-ups and slasher flicks that take place around Christmas,… Continue reading 20 Best Christmas Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked (2023)

Best Spike Lee Movies and TV Shows — Ranked for Filmmakers

Since his feature-length debut in 1986 with She’s Gotta Have It, Spike Lee has remained one of the most important and innovative voices in the film industry. No one has had their pulse on the zeitgeist quite like Lee, and even when he flounders, you can’t help but be impressed with what he manages to… Continue reading Best Spike Lee Movies and TV Shows — Ranked for Filmmakers

What is a Showrunner — What it Means to Literally Run the Show

Television shows have a lot of moving parts — almost every show employs numerous writers and directors. So, how do you make sure everything functions as it should while guaranteeing the overall creative vision of the series? This is the job of a showrunner — a position more like the conductor of an orchestra. We’ll… Continue reading What is a Showrunner — What it Means to Literally Run the Show

30 Best Vampire Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

From Sri Lanka to ancient Greece, the myth of the vampire has permeated virtually every society throughout history. The myth typically arose to explain sudden deaths caused by illnesses but attributed those tragedies to a horrific creature of the night. Over the years, vampires have gone on to symbolize the darker side of humanity and… Continue reading 30 Best Vampire Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

30 Best Zombie Movies Ever (and Where to Watch Them)

From the 1930s to the modern era, zombie movies have terrified audiences. They’ve also occupied a unique position in the horror genre in that they can serve as sociopolitical allegories. But of course, there are some zombie movies that exist solely to make you laugh. For this list, we’re ranking the 30 best zombie movies of… Continue reading 30 Best Zombie Movies Ever (and Where to Watch Them)

What is a MacGuffin — Definition and Examples for Screenwriters

Trope EssentialsOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Character Tropes Stock Character Mary Sue Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mad Scientist Femme Fatale Damsel in Distress Plot TropesOpen menu Plot Device Deus ex Machina Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring Deal with the Devil Narrative… Continue reading What is a MacGuffin — Definition and Examples for Screenwriters

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave — Summary & Meaning Explained

Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” is one of the most well-known philosophical concepts in history. As such, it only makes sense that numerous filmmakers would try to incorporate this philosophy into their movies. But what exactly is it? And why does it work so well in the context of filmmaking? We’ll look at this concept… Continue reading Plato’s Allegory of the Cave — Summary & Meaning Explained

Best Mumblecore Movies — Ranked for DIY Filmmaker in You

Mumblecore is one of those genres that’s difficult to put into words, but you know a mumblecore film when you see it. There generally isn’t a lot of action. The plot’s mainly driven by dialogue that has a naturalistic feeling. They are intimate stories focused on the small parts of existence most people wouldn’t pay… Continue reading Best Mumblecore Movies — Ranked for DIY Filmmaker in You

What is an Anti-Villain — Definition, Types and Examples

Basic CharactersOpen menu Types of Characters in a Story Protagonist Deuteragonist Antagonist Hero Anti Hero Tragic Hero Tritagonist Superhero Anti-Villain Villain Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Common Character Types Character Archetypes Types of Villains Femme Fatale Mad Scientist Mary Sue Damsel in Distress CharacterizationOpen menu What is Characterization Characterization Examples in Movies Characterization of Anton… Continue reading What is an Anti-Villain — Definition, Types and Examples