If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, you’ve probably heard the term aspect ratio quite often. Before you shoot even a single frame of your film, you have to decide what aspect ratio would be best. This decision will affect the staging and framing of every single shot going forward. Why? What is aspect ratio, and why does it matter so much? Let’s find out.Continue reading What is Aspect Ratio? A Formula for Framing Success
The 1980s have a special place in the pop culture canon. It turns out a lot of great movies came out in this decade, which means limiting them to a list is not as easy as it sounds. While plenty of beloved films won’t be seen here, we did our very best to make sure we included iconic and important films of the decade, from surefire classics to cult favorites. In that conversation, the inevitable question always comes up: what are the best ‘80s movies of all time? Let’s not waste any more time and get right down to ranking.Continue…
We’ve all seen actors lose themselves in roles so deeply, they transport us to a different time and place, and for some of us, that’s why we go to the movies. But how do they do it? This post explores one particular acting technique that can drive actors to life-altering performances. We seek to answer what is method acting by defining it and giving some examples of the method actors of our time.Continue reading What is Method Acting — 3 Different Types Explained
If you loved movies as a child, then there’s a good chance you owe a debt of gratitude to Steven Spielberg. He’s directed some of the best, most entertaining, and most influential films of all time. Honestly, he has about 10 films you could put as #1 on a list of his best movies, and no one would be mad.He’s been a producer, writer, and even an actor over the years, but for this list, we’re only looking at the 31 feature-length, theatrically-released films in his filmography. Get ready to be inspired because we’re counting down the best Steven Spielberg…
What is theme? In the simplest terms, a theme is the subject of a story. But that definition actually does more harm than good in fully understanding the theme of a story. In this article, we’re going to look at some common misconceptions by breaking down how to use theme in literature and screenwriting. But before we jump into some theme examples, let’s start with a theme definition.Continue reading What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples
This guide dives into the best comedy movies of all time, from timeless classics to hidden gems and fresh hits, celebrating their ability to make us laugh while standing the test of time. But what separates a funny movie from a truly great comedy? Humor is subjective—what makes a baby cackle in Albuquerque might fall flat in Ouagadougou. Many writers aim for broad appeal, but comedy thrives on specificity, using situation, dialogue, and performance to turn the ordinary upside down for gut-busting laughs. So, whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, or comedy lover, explore our list of the greatest comedies ever…
The best dark comedy movies and TV shows go for the jugular. It’s not enough to just be edgy, or even malicious. You need to tap into deep, disturbing levels of discomfort… and build a summer home.We made the ultimate list of dark comedy movies and TV shows, plus a video essay that takes a deep dive into one dark comedy, The Lobster. Let’s jump into our list of the best dark comedy movies and TV shows.Continue reading 70 Hilarious Dark Comedy Movies & TV Shows
Filmmakers looking to get publicity for their films have a lot of festivals to consider. Understanding the full range of the top film festivals is critical to finding the best fit for your film. Each fest comes with its own vibe, history, and entry fee. But where do you start? With so many choices, finding the best film festivals for your film is like finding a needle in a haystack.Don’t worry, we’re here to be your metal detector. We've done the research, we've curated our findings, and today we’ll break down the 21 top film festivals in the world. Consider…
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 those elements to advance the story, reveal character and create emotion. Knowing the rules of shot composition and using them well can keep your audience engaged from beginning to end. Let's get started.Continue reading Rules of Shot Composition in Film: A Definitive Guide
There is no shortage of the best film schools out there, but it seems like everyone has an opinion on where you should get your film production education. Continue reading 21 Best Film Schools Every Filmmaker Needs to Look At
