For anyone shooting a single-location movie with an extremely short schedule, The Guilty (2021) is an excellent film to study. Plus, a majority of the film focuses on a single character having “one-sided” phone conversations. On top of those constraints, the director was quarantined in a van and directing the film remotely. Here’s cinematographer Maz… Continue reading The Guilty — Cinematography Breakdown with DP Maz Makhani
It was not long ago that the idea of virtual reality seemed to only be realized in science fiction. But now, VR technology is becoming increasingly popular on Christmas wish lists, office spaces, and viral videos. With its increasing popularity many fear it, others embrace it, and some simply wonder, “What is virtual reality?” In… Continue reading What is Virtual Reality — Games, Movies & Storytelling
There are few things that can keep an audience more engaged in a film than suspense. But what is suspense, exactly? That feeling of intense anticipation can be found in various genres and have an audience leaning forward with their eyes glued to the screen. Understanding what suspense is and how it differs from other… Continue reading What is Suspense — The Elements of Suspense Explained
With so much new technology coming out seemingly every year, many people are finding themselves drawn to analog technology. Vinyl records are making a comeback, Polaroids have regained popularity, and bell bottom jeans might just be considered “in” again. Add to this nostalgic list film photography. Film photography is becoming more popular among professional and amateur… Continue reading How to Shoot Film Photography — A Guide From Start to Finish
You don’t have to be a professional commercial photographer to know how difficult it is to create images that standout in a sea of commercial images that are constantly in circulation. However, creating effective commercial photographs is not all about being unique, but being effective. And being effective comes down to using technique to capture a… Continue reading What is Commercial Photography — Gear, Lighting, & Style Tips
Have you ever described someone as melodramatic or been described as melodramatic? The term melodramatic is widely used in common vernacular. However, most people don’t know that it derived from the sub-genre of the Melodrama. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the Melodrama, its characteristics, and its origin. We’ll also take a… Continue reading What is Melodrama — Definition & Examples in Literature & Film
It was the book they said couldn’t be filmed. Many before him tried— to varying degrees of success— but the Denis Villeneuve Dune adaptation stands as the definitive cinematic telling of this intimidating science fiction story. So, how was Villeneuve able to succeed where others failed? We’ll start by taking a brief look at Villeneuve’s… Continue reading Dune — Denis Villeneuve Directing Techniques Explained
What is the best camera for beginners? When you’re just dipping your toes into a new craft, it can be overwhelming to parse through all of the various hardware options and find what best suits your individual needs. Whether you’re looking to get into videography, stills photography, or both, you’re sure to find an easy-to-use… Continue reading Best Camera for Beginners — Sony, Nikon, Canon & More
One of the biggest misconceptions about cinematic history is that color was first introduced to movies around the 1930s. While this is true for specific color processes, filmmakers were attempting to incorporate color into their films as early as the first few decades of motion pictures. What was the first color movie and how did they… Continue reading What Was the First Color Movie? — It’s Not What You Think It Is
What is an analogous color scheme? How can it be utilized in your filmmaking efforts, why does it matter and how is it different from other color palettes? We will be answering each of these questions, examining how analogous colors function in traditional art, taking a look at the psychology of color in storytelling, and… Continue reading What is an Analogous Color Scheme — Definition and Examples
Types of LensesOpen menu Prime Lens Zoom Lens Anamorphic Lens Lens Basics More About Lens Types Focal LengthsOpen menu Wide Angle Lens (14mm – 35mm) Standard (35mm – 70mm) Telephoto Lens (70mm – 200mm) More Focal Lengths Specialty LensesOpen menu Macro Lens Fisheye Lens Tilt-Shift Lens Split-Diopter Lens Deakinizer Lens Lens BrandsOpen menu Lens Buying… Continue reading What is an Anamorphic Lens? How to Get that Cinematic Look
What is the best camera for vlogging? Well, today we’re going to break down the best vlogging cameras by way of three criteria: features, quality, and value. We’ll also explore each camera’s unique strengths and weaknesses by looking at video reviews. But before we get into the rankings, let’s quickly review vlogging cameras and relevant… Continue reading Best Vlogging Camera — Top Picks Reviewed and Ranked
Film has the unique ability to transport us to another place and time completely, if only for a few hours. But the way films do this can vary. Scale, spectacle, and grandiose VFX can allow us to escape into other worlds. But naturalist movies transport us by blurring the lines between film and reality. It attempts… Continue reading Naturalist Movies — Characteristics of Naturalism in Film
When you think of some of the most iconic films in cinema history, quite a few also have an iconic prop. The Godfather and the horse head, The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy’s shoes, and of course Star Wars and the lightsaber. All of these props differ greatly from each other in how they look and… Continue reading What is a Movie Prop — Types of Film Props & Why They Matter
What is a Mexican Standoff? And for that matter, how does it differ from a regular standoff? In this post, we’ll be digging into the term, breaking down its origins, clearing up common misconceptions, and taking a look at some of the best examples. We’ll also be answering the question: why is it called a… Continue reading What is a Mexican Standoff — How to Direct a Showdown
We’ve talked quite a bit about the amount of thought that goes into Costume Design. We’ve talked about how costumes instantly convey information about the story’s setting, and about who the characters are. The Academy Award for Best Costume Design winners add their own flavor and style to the film, in some cases even a style… Continue reading Academy Award for Best Costume Design — The Complete List
One of the biggest challenges photographers and cinematographers face is having the images they shoot pop to a viewer. After all, viewers see these images through two-dimensional mediums such as print or screens. Side lighting is a fundamental lighting technique that will help you achieve the three-dimensional lighting style you desire. What is side lighting… Continue reading What is Side Lighting in Photography — Portrait Lighting Tips
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
Сreating a shot list can alleviate a tremendous amount of stress and pressure on actual shoot days. They can provide a clear blueprint for what needs to be shot so that you can save time. It’s important to understand all of the common shot list abbreviations used in a shot list so that you can… Continue reading Shot List Abbreviations Explained — A Quick Guide
Cinema is an ever-evolving landscape. Throughout its history, certain technological advances have opened countless doors for filmmakers. Technicolor brough colorized motion pictures, green screens opened new worlds, and motion capture opened the door for limitless characters. What is mocap and how does it work to create iconic characters? Let’s find out. Continue reading What is Mocap… Continue reading What is Mocap — The Science and Art Behind Motion Capture
