Hoyte van Hoytema is a cinematographer at the top of his game. He began with smaller projects in Europe before shooting some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters we’ve ever seen. If someone were to ask for a description of Hoyte van Hoytema movies, what would you say? It’s hard to pin down a distinct look or style. And that’s his superpower — to facilitate and support the director to achieve their vision for each particular story. Let’s take a tour through a select filmography to see if we can identify the Hoyte van Hoytema cinematography style.Continue reading Hoyte van Hoytema…
James Cameron’s Avatar was successful by almost any metric. It became the highest-grossing movie of all time, received rave reviews, and was nominated for a whopping nine Academy Awards. As many have noted, while Avatar’s story is compelling, it is its groundbreaking visuals that set it apart from other blockbusters. So how did James Cameron and his team create the vibrant, expansive world of Pandora? In this article, we’ll look at Cameron’s game-changing approach to filming Avatar and how he raised the bar for the film’s much-anticipated follow-up Avatar: The Way Of Water.Continue reading Making of Avatar & Avatar 2:…
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 you frame a subject communicates intangible information to the audience. The zoom shot is just one of these techniques and adds a very particular and nuanced message. Knowing what this message is is critical to deciding when to use it. So, what is a zoom shot?Continue reading What is a Zoom Shot and When You Should Use One
At this time, the theatrical experience is fighting to stay relevant among streaming giants. Top Gun: Maverick made an undeniable case for getting back into theaters. The film was praised by the likes of Quentin Tarantino. It received a five-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. So, what went into creating a film that sparked this response? Let’s take a look behind the scenes of Top Gun: Maverick.Continue reading Top Gun Maverick Behind the Scenes — How They Shot It
What is the fastest and most efficient way to clearly communicate all of the vital information about an upcoming photoshoot to all of the necessary people? The answer is: with a call sheet. We created our own custom photoshoot call sheet template, and you can download it for free. We will break down the various sections of the template, explain how to use it, and offer some tips for customizing the template to best suit your individual needs.Continue reading Photoshoot Call Sheet Template — Free Download and Guide
The best cinematographers are artists, technicians, diplomats, and accountants. Choosing the best cinematographers is tough and extremely subjective but this list is full of talented people. If you want your film to look like it was shot by one of the world’s best cinematographers, read on. We’ve broken down the key cinematic techniques that the top cinematographers who are working today actively use. Onto the list!Continue reading The 27 Best Film Cinematographers That Everyone Should Know
The origins of cinema are rooted to the use of film cinematography — that is the use of film stock to record and project a movie. All of that changed, however, with the introduction of digital cinematography. What is digital cinematography and how does it compare to film? Let’s dive into digital film production.Continue reading What is Digital Cinematography — The Pros & Cons of Digital
Understanding the different qualities of light is important for any filmmaker to know. Each quality can enhance a story by providing a visual element that matches the style and tone of a film. One of the most fundamental qualities of light to understand is diffused light. From interviews to commercial work to films, knowing the effects of diffused light can make you a more versatile and well equipped filmmaker. Let’s find out why and how you can use diffused light in your next project. Continue reading What is Diffused Light — Types of Lighting in Photo & Film
If you’re an aspiring photographer or have been in the past you may have come across the question “What types of lights do I need?” While artificial light sources are incredibly useful tools, photographers can get by with a single type of light — natural light.With a solid understanding of how natural light works and how it can be used, it can undoubtedly become the only light you need for whatever type of photography you want to shoot. What is natural light in photography and how can you use it? In this article, we’ll dive into the characteristics of natural…
What is a camera obscura? When was the camera obscura invented and who invented it? Many of us have heard the term… but what does camera obscura mean? We’re going to answer those questions by exploring their history, from prehistory to the modern day. We’re also going to show you how to create your very own "dark room" at home! By the end, you’ll know what a camera obscura is and why it’s so important.Continue reading What is a Camera Obscura — Definition, Origin & How It Works
