Joker dominated 2019. Upon its release, it topped the box office and attracted an unprecedented amount of attention from press and public alike. Joker’s ending is without a doubt one of the main reasons why: it’s a third act filled with unforgettable moments and tantalizing twists. What makes the Joker ending so instantly iconic? The… Continue reading Joker Ending Explained — How to Make a Satisfying Finale
When people ask me if I went to film school, I tell them no, I went to films. – Quentin Tarantino Quentin Tarantino is not just a world-class filmmaker but also a renowned film lover. He is a lifelong cinephile with an encyclopedic knowledge of the medium. Tarantino always packs his films with homages to the… Continue reading Quentin Tarantino’s Favorite Movies of All Time — 20 Cinematic Gems
Dialogue scenes can be great, but they can easily fall short if they solely focus on the character doing the talking. Reaction shots have the ability to elevate a dialogue scene in a completely nonverbal way. Sometimes the physical reactions of a character can say a whole lot more than words. Let’s find out how.Continue… Continue reading The Reaction Shot — Much More Than Essential Film Grammar
What is screen direction in film? Why is it important? And how can it be used creatively? We’ll be answering all of these questions and providing you with everything you need to know about screen direction. We’ll get started with a comprehensive definition, then drill down deeper into the various techniques and applications associated with… Continue reading What is Screen Direction in Film — How to Preserve Continuity
One of the best ways for filmmakers to visually create a cohesive and intentional film tone is through lighting. The best cinematographers in the industry have a great understanding of the relationship between lighting and story. High key lighting has a long history in the world of film and television for both logistical and artistic… Continue reading What is High Key Lighting — Examples & Creative Uses
A crucial part of filmmaking lies in preparation during pre-production. Developing an idea of what a film will look and feel like takes some deep thinking. Creating a film lookbook is a great way to compile all of these thoughts into one place for your benefit and the benefit of the entire film crew. In this… Continue reading Film Lookbook Examples & How to Make a Lookbook for Film
Cinematographers obviously play a vital role in making a film, but what decisions do they make on a daily basis? The cinematographer’s primary goal is to capture the director’s vision. Using lighting, camera, and composition techniques, a DP translates that vision into images. This post goes over the common considerations with explanations from working professionals.… Continue reading What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains
Every camera needs a camera bag — but what’s the best camera bag to buy? We’re going to break down a variety of different camera bags by looking at their features, specs, and prices — as well as reviews from industry professionals. Fear not, dropping your camera will soon be a faint memory — the… Continue reading Best Camera Bag in 2021 — Features, Specs, Reviews & Prices
Cowboys, outlaws, deserts, shanty towns, and gunslinging. These are familiar elements seen in the genre known as the Western, in both literature and cinema. But for many genre fans, it specifically refers to Spaghetti Westerns, a genre that emerged during the 1960s. Traditional Westerns they weren’t, as they were often low budget, featured violence and… Continue reading What is a Spaghetti Western — History and Legacy Explained
Long ago, when all television screens and computer monitors looked alike, they shared the same aspect ratio of 4 by 3. It dominated the way early cinema and television looked, but it was not meant to last. In the 21st century, new and emerging technology has resulted in more aspect ratios, like 16:9, leaving 4:3… Continue reading What is 4:3 Aspect Ratio — And Why Do Filmmakers Still Use It?
Film is primarily a visual medium. Filmmakers have various tools to create meaning through visual elements, one of which is the visual metaphor. Visual metaphors are often subtle, but are incredibly important for filmmakers in communicating and resonating with an audience. What is a visual metaphor? How and why do filmmakers use them? We’ll break… Continue reading What is a Visual Metaphor — Definition & Examples in Art & Film
Diving into the world of film photography is incredibly exciting and overwhelming at the same time. And the first step to shooting film photography is choosing and buying a film camera. In this article, you’ll find a list of the best film cameras for every budget and skill level. Whether you are a novice or… Continue reading Best Film Cameras in 2021 — Canon, Pentax, Olympus & More
Best Nolan MoviesNolan’s Directing StyleNolan Directing Tips Nolan’s CirclesNolan’s Shot List Which are the best Christopher Nolan movies? How do you rank them against each other? Do Christopher Nolan films get better over the years, and how will Nolan’s next movie measure up? We’ve created a list of the best Christopher Nolan movies ranked not… Continue reading Top 11 Christopher Nolan Movies, Ranked Worst to Best (2021)
What is blaxploitation? Blaxploitation refers to a genre, a film movement, and an important period of cinema history. In this post, we’ll define Blaxploitation, explain the historical context, look at the most important films of the movement, and even take a look at the status of this genre and style in our modern film industry.Continue… Continue reading What is Blaxploitation — An American Film Movement Explained
In psychology, there’s something called the serial position effect. It means people tend to remember what comes first and last, not what occurs in the middle. Filmmakers know this phenomenon all too well. Combine that with today’s stream-ability and countless options… and the opening to a film is as important as ever. Today, we study the best… Continue reading 25 Best Opening Scenes in Movies & What Makes Them Great
If you’ve ever heard the terms ‘second unit’ or ‘second unit director’ thrown around without knowing what they mean, then you have come to the right place. We will be breaking down what a second unit is, what it is used for, and what exactly the role of a second unit director entails. We’ll also… Continue reading What is a Second Unit Director & What Does a Second Unit Do?
It is fundamental knowledge that moving the camera closer or further from a subject has innate storytelling effects. But what happens when a filmmaker simply moves the camera around a subject? This is the arc shot. It commonly appears on the big screen as the hero shot, but today we’ll analyze a few more effective… Continue reading The Arc Shot — Examples and Camera Movements Explained
For the most part, filmmakers strive to make audiences forget that they are in fact an audience watching a film. They work to make the film completely immersive. But sometimes filmmakers intentionally draw attention to the medium being used by breaking the fourth wall. While not all stories benefit from such interruptions, here are the… Continue reading 15 Movies That Break the Fourth Wall (Besides Deadpool)
James Bond movies make up one of the most successful and influential franchises in world cinema. A monument of popular culture in their own right, 007 movies have also inspired countless other flicks — not just spy movies, but also Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Asian action cinema. But which entries in the James Bond… Continue reading All James Bond Movies Ranked — The Best & Worst 007 Movies
What is the best tripod? One of the essential tools of any serious photography or filmmaker’s toolkit is a reliable tripod, but which one is best? There are many different makes and models of camera tripods on the market and it can be confusing to know which is the best for your purposes and which… Continue reading Best Tripod To Buy in 2021 — Pros, Cons, Prices for Any Budget
Making a short film can seem like an indomitable task. Most writers and directors struggle to get their productions off the ground, often because they lack the resources to get started. No need to worry though, we’re going to show you step-by-step how to make a short film with video guides and all the software… Continue reading How to Make a Short Film — 12 Steps from Idea to Finished Film
Lighting techniques are the heart of great photography and cinematography. Knowing the fundamentals and learning each lighting pattern will give you more control and intention over your shots. Butterfly lighting is fundamental to portrait photography. Not only is it one of the most flattering lighting patterns, it is also extremely easy to set up. So,… Continue reading What is Butterfly Lighting — Definition, Examples and Setups
Whether debating on your first lens or looking for creative inspiration. Whether shooting video or photography. Whether on a micro or multi-million dollar budget, if you’re in the camera business you’ll need to answer the question – what is a 35mm lens good for? Don’t worry. This article is all about the 35mm lens. How they’re… Continue reading What is a 35mm Lens Good For? 4 Reasons You Need One
If you’ve ever read a detective story before, you’ve probably heard the term “deductive reasoning,” but what is deductive reasoning and what makes it different from inductive reasoning? We’re going to answer those questions by looking at some deductive reasoning examples from Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Sherlock. By the end, you’ll know… Continue reading What is Deductive Reasoning? Definition and Examples
Instant cameras have made a huge comeback in recent years – but what are the best instant cameras? We’re going to answer that question by exploring the best instant cameras from Polaroid, Fujifilm, and other manufacturers. By the end, you’ll know the price, tech specs, and features of the best instant cameras money can buy.Continue… Continue reading Best Instant Camera — Fujifilm, Kodak, Canon, Polaroid, Leica
