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.
Making films isn’t just an art. It takes years of practice to cultivate a consistent craft and keen eye for filmmaking. It’s what separates great cinematography from cliche movie making. You’ve probably heard the term a million times, but what is cinematography? Before honing a craft, a deep knowledge of what it entails is critical.Continue… Continue reading What is Cinematography? Defining the Art and Craft
HomeEthosPathoslogosTelosKairos Want to stir your viewers’ emotions? Whether you’re shooting a commercial, planning a pitch, or training your sales team, you need to know how to connect where it counts. Make the audience feel it. Okay, sounds good, but how? Aristotle’s got you covered. In the fourth century B.C., the ancient Greek philosopher posited three… Continue reading What is Pathos — Examples of Pathos in Video Advertisement
If you want to know how to pitch a TV show, preparation is key. The common assumption is that the pitch process is all about “selling it in the room.” It’s not. In the words of Sun Tzu, “every battle is won or lost before it is ever fought.” You have to sell it long… Continue reading How to Pitch a TV Show Like a Pro [Free Pitch Template]
Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now If you’re an aspiring cinematographer or director, you know that the camera is your primary storytelling tool. How you move the camera or how… Continue reading What is a Zoom Shot and When You Should Use One
Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List A Close-up shot is one… Continue reading Close-Up Shots: Examples of Camera Movement & Angles
Taking a great portrait isn’t about having a quality camera and attractive subject. It’s not even about wardrobe or location. If you mess up the lighting in your portraits, post production won’t always be able to save you. How can you nail it each time? Whether you’re taking school pictures or are shooting athletes for… Continue reading Portrait Lighting Setup Guide — 8 Ways to Shoot Great Portraits
While many films include archetypal supporting characters, these molds are a little worn out. The audience is getting smarter and more curious. They crave more than the all-too-familiar “mentor” or “sidekick” as a way to convey information or to push the protagonist forward. Watching to see what a supporting character is capable of by themselves… Continue reading What is a Supporting Character — And Why They Matter
Any great director has fans and detractors, lovers and haters. But few filmmakers inspire division as extreme as comic book, movie maestro, Zack Snyder. Frivolous hack, or pop art genius? Stylist without substance, or masterful cinematic storyteller? Even Snyder’s critics admit that what he does well, he does better than anyone. Snyder’s kinetic action sequences can… Continue reading Zack Snyder’s Directing Style and Visual Style Breakdown
As a writer, stream of consciousness may be fun to write but unenjoyable to read. Or for you, the reverse may be true. When talking about screenwriting, stream of consciousness may not be a method frequently used on the page but can be used and benefited from in the pre-writing process or even with visual… Continue reading What is Stream of Consciousness Writing — Methods & Tips
Maybe you’ve seen the term art director in the credits of a movie, or on a call sheet, but you’re not quite sure what it means to be one. But what is an Art Director? Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker looking to learn more, or a graphic designer who wants to know how to become… Continue reading Art Director Job Description: What Does an Art Director Do?
Production hiring site Staff Me Up is one of the best tools in the industry for anyone looking to find work, and for producers looking for crew. Staff Me Up can be used to find jobs in cinematography, casting, producing, editing, PA work, you name it. You can search by city, state, department, or specific… Continue reading Staff Me Up — Tips on How to Land Film Production Jobs
Whether you’re a photographer, a video game designer, a filmmaker, or work with VR, thoroughly understanding field of view or (FOV) is your foundation for success. It’s basic optics, and while you likely can assume what it is, let’s quickly go over it and see its importance in photography and the gaming world. So, what… Continue reading What is FOV — The Importance of Field of View in Photography
Unlike painting or writing, which are often done in isolation, making a film requires a team effort. Gaffers, Cinematographers, Best Boys, PAs — but who does what and why? There are few roles in film production more valuable than a 1st AD but what is an assistant director and what does an assistant director do?… Continue reading What Does an Assistant Director Do? Defining the 1st AD
Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Insert Image Low Angle Shot Insert Image Eye Level Shot Insert Image High Angle Shots Insert Image Dutch Angle Shot Insert Image Overhead Shot Insert Image Aerial Shot Camera Angle Guide Explore More ShotsOpen menu Insert Image All Camera Shots Insert Image Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List… Continue reading High Angle Shot — Camera Angle Explained & Iconic Examples
Knowing precisely what a director does in every stage of a production’s life cycle is vital to your success in the industry. A director’s job description involves participation in nearly every phase of a project. Because their vision largely impacts the final product, directors work closely with department heads and technicians to bring it to… Continue reading What Does a Director Do? The Film Director’s Job Description
T here are so many screenwriting books out there that claim to be the best, so how do you know which ones to buy? Today we’re going to go through the very best screenwriting books. We’ll help you discover how each screenwriting book can help you break your story and open new doors in your career.… Continue reading 15 Best Screenwriting Books to Help You Break Into Hollywood
Alright — you’ve got it. The screenplay idea that will change the world, break box office records, and win you every single Oscar. Only… you don’t quite understand how to format a screenplay. Do you even really need screenplay format?Continue reading Formatting a Screenplay: How to Put Your Story Into Screenplay Format
Screenwriting books and instructors often warn aspiring writers against writing flashbacks in their scripts. They know beginning and amateur writers often use them in a way that can bring a film to a dead stop. However, so many great films have used flashbacks with resounding success. So, let’s learn from some films that figured out how… Continue reading How to Write a Flashback in a Script — Techniques & Format
You’ve probably heard the term ‘film noir’ hundreds of times. You may associate it with detectives and femme fatales running around in black and white. But what is film noir, really? Well, it turns out it’s not so clear cut, but there are some elements of the style that are fairly obvious. Let’s get into… Continue reading What is Film Noir? A Brief History with Examples from Cinema
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 14… Continue reading 14 Best Screenwriting Contests You Need to Enter Now
