Film Theory

What is Italian Neorealism in Film? Defining the Style

The impact of Italian Neorealism in film cannot be overstated. The works of Roberto Rossellini, Federico Fellini, and other major Neorealist directors are undeniable when it comes to the influence they have had on cinema throughout the world. They also had an immense effect on a young boy growing up in Queens named Martin Scorsese. We’re… Continue reading What is Italian Neorealism in Film? Defining the Style

Chris Heckmann

How To Create Striking First and Final Frames in Your Film

A beginning, middle, and end are the bare bones that support the structure of any story. In his video essay First and Final Frames, Jacob T. Swinney compiles a stunning side-by-side comparison of opening and closing shots from many famous films. This is a unique experience to be sure. In this post we’re going to… Continue reading How To Create Striking First and Final Frames in Your Film

Mary Risk

Best M. Night Shyamalan Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers

Best Shyamalan MoviesShyamalan’s Style ExplainedThe Return of M. Night Shyamalan When you think of the most iconic film directors, you can often discount their first couple of films — few filmmakers are geniuses out of the gate. Other directors start strong but end their careers with a painful series of flops. But almost no other… Continue reading Best M. Night Shyamalan Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers

Brent Dunham

30 Best Vampire Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

From Sri Lanka to ancient Greece, the myth of the vampire has permeated virtually every society throughout history. The myth typically arose to explain sudden deaths caused by illnesses but attributed those tragedies to a horrific creature of the night. Over the years, vampires have gone on to symbolize the darker side of humanity and… Continue reading 30 Best Vampire Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

Mike Bedard

20 Best Werewolf Movies to Watch Right Now

Werewolves predate almost every other fictional monster. So, why aren’t werewolf films very popular?  Perhaps it comes down to a practical issue. The make-up is labor intensive. The transformation sequence might take longer to shoot than the rest of the film. The most important criteria for judging werewolf movies is the creature effects. The werewolf… Continue reading 20 Best Werewolf Movies to Watch Right Now

Brent Dunham

10 Best Video Games Movies: Good Films Based On Video Games

Video game movies are often cast aside or plain derided by critics and fans, but we think that’s pure poppycock. It’s hard enough to bring a novel to life without angering fans, but just imagine if you were so immersed and devoted to that book that you occasionally slammed it into your hardwood floors, shattering it… Continue reading 10 Best Video Games Movies: Good Films Based On Video Games

SC Lannom

Writing and Directing for Suspense: Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarantino has created some of the most memorable scenes in film history. However, none are quite so impactful, tense, and amazing as the Inglourious Basterds opening scene.The scene lasts for just under 20 minutes, but during that time, Tarantino employs a vast array of framing techniques and angles to help tell the story to… Continue reading Writing and Directing for Suspense: Inglourious Basterds

Mike Bedard

Blocking and Staging a Scene like Spielberg, Kubrick, and Inarritu

Watching a scene is easy, but blocking and staging a scene effectively is a complex dance between actors and your camera. When deciding where to position your actors and your camera, you’re essentially solving a puzzle — a puzzle with more than one solution. So, how is it done? In this post, we’re going to show you… Continue reading Blocking and Staging a Scene like Spielberg, Kubrick, and Inarritu

SC Lannom

Joker Movie Review: Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix Humanize Chaos

Joker Script DownloadBest Joker ActorsJoker ControversyJoker Movie Review Todd Phillips’ new film Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, is a realistic take on the super villain that wants viewers to empathize as they watch him descend into homicidal madness. The best moments come from capitalizing on the medium of cinema during the strongest parts of the script,… Continue reading Joker Movie Review: Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix Humanize Chaos

SC Lannom

3 Film Editing Techniques You Can Learn From Star Wars

Luke. Yoda. Lando Goddamn Calrissian. Star Wars is home to some of the most memorable characters in film history, and also some of the best film editing. While taking years to master, great film editing can give your characters life, making us visually feel their wants and desires. Using moments from The Empire Strikes Back,… Continue reading 3 Film Editing Techniques You Can Learn From Star Wars

AJ Unitas

Amazon’s The Boys: Mise En Scene, Production Design, and Costumes

You’re a filmmaker who wants to get the most out of your production design, mise en scene, and scene elements, but you’re not sure how to plan and maximize your visual opportunities. In this post, we’re going to breakdown the production design, mise en scene, and scene elements in the Amazon Original series, The Boys, so… Continue reading Amazon’s The Boys: Mise En Scene, Production Design, and Costumes

SC Lannom

14 Best Martial Arts Fight Scenes of All Time | Movie Fights Ranked List

The best martial arts fight scenes of all time each bring something unique to the table. They have to because there is a long tradition of one upsmanship with complexity and overall skill.  We put together a list of the best martial arts fight scene from a filmmakers perspective, so we’ll be looking at everything from… Continue reading 14 Best Martial Arts Fight Scenes of All Time | Movie Fights Ranked List

SC Lannom

All the James Bond Movies Ranked: List of 007 Films from Worst to Best

James Bond movies make up one of the most successful franchises in the world. 007 films have also inspired countless other movies and even real-world inventions like the Jet Ski. Each generation has their own relationship with Bond and the leading actors who took the role, so this list will look at things as objectively as… Continue reading All the James Bond Movies Ranked: List of 007 Films from Worst to Best

SC Lannom

“It Chapter Two” Review: Bigger Not Better

The second and concluding chapter in director Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of Stephen King’s It is here. The Losers Club are all grown up as they return to their childhood town to battle inner and outer demons. The cast is impressive, the visuals are stunning, and the imagination on display is undeniable. But that doesn’t translate to… Continue reading “It Chapter Two” Review: Bigger Not Better

Brent Dunham

Disney’s Unreleased Aladdin Ending Scene Animatic (and Storyboard)

Aladdin, the 1992 Disney classic, has recently become relevant in light of the 2019 live-action remake. (Though, for the millennial reader, was Aladdin ever really irrelevant?) But regardless of whether or not you enjoyed John August’s and Guy Ritchie’s remake, the film delivered on the main points. There were a few changes in the latest… Continue reading Disney’s Unreleased Aladdin Ending Scene Animatic (and Storyboard)

StudioBinder

What is Film Noir? A Brief History with Examples from Cinema

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

StudioBinder

The Best Comedy Movies of All Time: Funny Movies to Inspire Filmmakers

The difference between a funny movie and a truly great comedy is subjective. So, when it comes to writing a successful comedy, many writers want to appeal to the lowest common denominator. While many screenwriters want to please all, humor isn’t universal. What makes a baby cackle in Albuquerque won’t cut the mustard in Ouagadougou!… Continue reading The Best Comedy Movies of All Time: Funny Movies to Inspire Filmmakers

Herman Wilkins

Mastering the Film Color Palette: Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro movies are known for their lush fantasy landscapes, sense of creeping dread, and unmatched use of color. His self-confessed primary influences are obvious once you know how to look for them. Comic books, manga, horror movies, and his native Mexican culture all combine to create a director who is not afraid to stuff every… Continue reading Mastering the Film Color Palette: Guillermo del Toro

Matt Vasiliauskas