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 was the Harlem Renaissance? The Harlem Renaissance was a landmark art movement that changed the course of music, literature, and culture. We’re going to explore the history of the Harlem Renaissance by looking at its pioneers. By the end, you’ll know how the Harlem Renaissance started, how it ended, who its leaders were, and… Continue reading What Was the Harlem Renaissance — And Why It Mattered
You’ve seen many Steven Spielberg movies in your time. Despite his popularity, it can be difficult to pinpoint what defines the Steven Spielberg directing style. Perhaps his control of the medium is so natural and intuitive, his trademarks and cinematography techniques go unnoticed in a good way. We get lost in a Spielberg movie in… Continue reading Steven Spielberg Movies — Filmmaking Style & Techniques
You’ve most likely heard of breaking the fourth wall, a phrase which refers to when a character directly addresses the audience. The popularity of the term has recently given rise to a new, related term: breaking the third wall. So what is breaking the third wall, and how can it be used? Let’s look into… Continue reading Breaking the Third Wall — Semi-Meta Examples & Techniques
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
While not always necessary for story-telling, freeze frames are a timeless tool in film and television. Whether for stylistic purposes or to draw attention to particular aspects of your film, it’s important to whittle down the motivation for your freeze frame. Read on to dissect successful freeze frame movie examples and ways you can implement… Continue reading What is a Freeze Frame — The Best Examples & Why They Work
Stranger Things is one of the biggest shows in the world – and its cinematography is a big reason why. The Stranger Things cinematography shifts between expressive and reserved to impart visual tone that matches the narrative. We’re going to break down why the Stranger Things cinematography is successful by taking a look at a… Continue reading Stranger Things Cinematography Explained — Camera, Lighting & Lenses
At one point or another, we’ve all asked the question: what was the first movie ever made? Was it the one with the train robbery? Was it the one where the moon had a face? Both The Great Train Robbery (1903) and A Trip to the Moon (1902) were early examples of movies, but neither… Continue reading What Was the First Movie Ever Made — Film History Explained
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
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
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
Quentin Tarantino is known for a lot of things: distinct dialogue, explosive violence, pop culture pastiches. But his movies also contain another less-discussed element that is as important as his other signatures: food. In Tarantino movies, food is crucial. It can reveal character traits, propel plots, and expand themes. Some of Tarantino’s most famous scenes… Continue reading Quentin Tarantino Food Scenes — The Complete Menu
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
There are many ways to film the same scene. The director’s decisions depend on what experience they want the audience to have. Knowing what shot composition is and how to use it is vital to visual storytelling. Shot composition is more than arranging scene elements in a camera frame. It is an art that combines… Continue reading Rules of Shot Composition in Film: A Definitive Guide
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
The Elements of Composition in Art, Photography & Film (FREE Ebook)A comprehensive and accessible guide for artists, photographers and cinematographers looking to master the elements of composition.We’ll cover over a dozen elements of composition like lines, shapes, balance, and including various compositional techniques within each. Download Now Composition in ArtWith these elements of composition in… Continue reading Elements of Composition in Art, Photo & Film (Free Ebook)
The shape of a circle is perhaps the shape that humans have been drawn to the most throughout history. It’s endless nature, often symbolic meaning, has been a useful subject in different forms of art. One of the best ways to create the circle in any form of art is through radial balance. Radial balance is… Continue reading What is Radial Balance in Art — Composition Techniques
How an image is composed is one of the most effective ways to visually communicate what is important to a viewer. Perhaps the most direct compositional technique at doing this is filling the frame. This simple technique can deeply change what an image means to a viewer when used with intention and creativity. In this article,… Continue reading Fill the Frame Photography & Composition Techniques
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
