Sam Kench is an internationally-awarded screenwriter, independent filmmaker, and film critic. Lover of foreign films; hater of American remakes.
How do you write an action scene in a screenplay? How specific and technical should you get? Or, is it better to leave the action description simplistic with the knowledge that a director, choreography, and stunt coordinator will be working out the details of the action? Different screenwriters answer these questions in different ways, and… Continue reading How to Write an Action Scene in a Screenplay — 3 Methods
What is kinetic art? Unlike with other artistic styles, kinetic art as a term has less to do with how a piece of art is made and more to do with how it is presented when finished and how it is experienced. In this post, we’ll provide a definition, break down the various types of… Continue reading What is Kinetic Art — Movement, Artists, and History Explained
What is social commentary? You may have heard the term thrown around in video essays or seen it pop up in book, music, or film analysis without knowing precisely what it means. In this post, we will define social commentary, examine the different ways it can manifest in cinema, and take a look at a… Continue reading What is Social Commentary — Definition, Examples & Meaning
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,… 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… Continue reading What is Primitivism — Movement, Style & Artists Explained
What is Fluxus? Or rather, what was Fluxus? It’s a complicated answer to unravel with a colorful history and far-reaching cultural ramifications. We will explore the inception and evolution of the movement, take a look at the founder and other notable Fluxus artists, and break down the historical significance of the movement. But first, let’s… Continue reading What is Fluxus — The Fluxus Art Movement & Works Explained
What does avant-garde mean? What does it mean for a piece of artwork, a book, or a film to be labeled as avant-garde? We’ll be breaking down the term, exploring what constitutes the movement and why it is important. We’ll also take a look at some important examples of avant-garde art, books, and films. But… Continue reading What is Avant Garde — Movement, Artists & Works 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… Continue reading What is MPAA — History of the Hollywood Ratings System
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… Continue reading Movie Ratings Explained — Origins & How They’ve Changed
Proper screenplay formatting is extremely particular and offers very little wiggle room. There are good reasons behind all of this specificity. A properly formatted script adheres to the current industry standards, meaning all professional screenplays, with very few exceptions, have a standardized appearance and format. In this article, we will explain why following industry-standard formatting… Continue reading Screenplay Margins Explained — A Guide for Screenwriters
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 it can leave a book, film, or video game feeling shallow. We’ll get started with a world-building definition, then… 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… Continue reading Writing Screenplays in Word — A Formatting Guide for Writers
What is a spec script? What does it mean to “write on spec” and is it something you should do? We’ll be answering all of these questions, breaking down the differences between a film spec and a TV spec, and looking at a couple of examples of successful scripts written on spec and the writers… Continue reading What is a Spec Script — Definition, Examples and Writing Tips
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… 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… 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… 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… Continue reading How to Mask in Premiere Pro — An Essential Compositing Guide
How do you format a screenplay in Google Docs? Is it even possible? We will answer both of these questions as well as look at alternatives to Google Docs, add-ons that can improve the writing experience in Google Docs, and common screenplay formatting pitfalls. We will also explore the most useful built-in features the software… Continue reading How to Format a Screenplay in Google Docs — A Writer’s Guide
If you want to edit faster, there is one piece of sage advice that you will hear time and time again: learn the hotkeys! While it is possible to edit most projects using only the simplest tools available in Premiere Pro or by navigating through a series of menus and right-clicks, having a thorough knowledge… Continue reading Adobe Premiere Pro Keyboard Shortcuts — The Ultimate Guide
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… Continue reading Interlaced vs Progressive Scan — All the Differences Explained
