The 2000s were a weird time for cinema -- kind of sandwiched in between the indie 90’s scene and the blockbuster 2010’s scene. But there are so many great movies that came out between 2000 and 2009, that we thought it would be interesting to look back at what made them so great. So without further ado, this is our list of the best movies of the 2000s.Continue reading Best Movies of the 2000s — The Entire Decade Ranked
Director Rian Johnson movies have a distinct visual and emotional style. Which is a pretty impressive feat given how young a filmmaker he is. Most directors take a few films before they solidify their style. Here’s how you can learn to create a shot list like acclaimed director Rian Johnson -- just remember that for the Last Jedi, the star wipes were someone else’s idea first!Continue reading Mastering Shot Lists: Rian Johnson’s Movies and Directing Style (with Shot List Example)
Whip pans, swish pans, whip shot — whatever you call them, they are a great tool for creating seamless cuts and cool effects in your videos, but understanding how to build an effective whip pan is equally important. Continue reading What is a Whip Pan or Swish Pan: How to Shoot Whip Pan Transitions
Best Tarantino MoviesQT's Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood was one of the biggest hits of 2019, and for good reason. It is a film packed with great characters, memorable scenes, and Quentin Tarantino trademarks. Join us on our Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood analysis as we explore the Quentin Tarantino directing style and how he imbues his scenes with such white-knuckle suspense. Continue reading Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Analysis — How Tarantino Directs Suspense
Joker Script DownloadBest Joker ActorsJoker ControversyJoker Movie Review The Joker is one of the most enduring fictional characters of all time. He presents a unique challenge to actors as he embodies utter chaos, but he’s also called the clown prince of crime for a reason. While some actors lean more into the comedy than the darkness and vice versa, they all bring something different to the role, and now, it’s time to find out who the best Joker actor of all time is.Who has played the Joker the best? Do you think Heath Ledger deserves the top spot, or do…
How do you learn from a director like Martin Scorsese? You can watch his films, and you can learn by watching his interviews. We took the best Martin Scorsese quotes from his various interviews.Then we compiled a video with examples from his films, so that way you can perfectly understand the directing tips he makes in each interview. Continue reading Martin Scorsese Film School: Interviews and Quotes on his Techniques
Even if you've seen only one movie in your entire life, it's likely that you've seen a number of long shots and extreme long shots.Filmmakers typically use these two shots to open or close a movie, or to invite audiences into a completely different world altogether. With that in mind, we're going to help you prep and plan establishing shots for your next project. First, let's break down the basics.Continue reading What’s an Extreme Long Shot (aka Extreme Wide Shot)?
How does one create a power struggle in film? What are the techniques available that will help to communicate this battle through a visual lens?Let's look at how Paul Thomas Anderson builds a power struggle with blocking, staging, framing, set dressing, and camera control.Make sure to read through to the end for more examples of these techniques in the director's work.Continue reading There Will Be Blood: Analysis of a Power Struggle — Director’s Playbook
If you’re familiar with David Fincher movies, you know they focus on serial killers, robbers, brawlers, and murderers alike. You might also know that he has a reputation for being an exacting, obsessively technical director. However, dark subjects and visual meticulousness belie Fincher’s overlooked secret weapon: his ability to connect with actors on a human level to draw out authentic and defining performances. This humanity, this messy warmth, doesn’t simply transcend Fincher’s bleakness and robot-like technical rigor: it exists because of it. That’s the genius of David Fincher films.Continue reading The Directing Style of David Fincher
The Godfather is rightfully one of the greatest films ever made. Everything works magnificently together. But one of the most overlooked aspects of the film is how well the blocking and staging are. Today for our film analysis of The Godfather, we’re examining a pivotal scene in the character development of Michael Corleone. In particular, we’re focusing on how the actors’ movements and camera direction help tell the story. Be wary of oranges, and let’s dive in!Continue reading The Godfather: Analysis of a Scene — Director’s Playbook
