With over 40 years of experience working as a feature cinematographer, Robert Richardson has lensed movies for director’s like Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. He’s worked on everything from 65mm film to stereoscopic 3D and has won the Academy Award for cinematography three times (for his work on JFK, The Aviator and Hugo)!… Continue reading Robert Richardson Style — Tarantino, Scorsese’s DP Techniques
What is the best drone camera for the money? With the relatively recent explosion in popularity of drone photography and videography, the market has been flooded with different brands and models of drones. Drone technology continues to develop and improve at a rapid rate. This can make it hard to keep track of which drone… Continue reading Best Drone Camera for the Money — A 2021 Buying Guide
Before the 1950s, nearly every single movie was in the same 4:3 aspect ratio. But then CinemaScope from 20th Century Fox changed the landscape with widescreen imagery to get people into theaters nationwide. Pretty soon, other studios were making their own widescreen movies, including Paramount Pictures with VistaVision. What is VistaVision, you ask? Well, it… Continue reading What is VistaVision — A History of Widescreen in Hollywood
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said in his 383 U.S. 463 (1966) ruling that “censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself.” And Stewart was right: censorship has reflected social culture (or the lack thereof) since the dawn of time. Cinema has not been immune to censorship. In fact, cinema has been subject… Continue reading Movie Censorship — A History of Film Censorship in America
How do you ensure your photos are sharp and in focus? Getting comfortable with the circle of confusion is a good first step. What is circle of confusion? This concept is an under-defined, yet super critical idea in photography. And understanding it will help you see how everything works together. The circle of confusion is… Continue reading What is the Circle of Confusion — Photography Definition
For portrait photographers, loop lighting is essential. And for beginners, it’s a straightforward lighting setup to learn. It can be created with only one light source and an understanding of where to put that light source. So, what is loop lighting photography and how can you capture it? In this article, we’ll be taking a look… Continue reading Loop Lighting Photography — Definition, Setup & Creative Uses
Joker dominated 2019. Upon its release, it topped the box office and attracted an unprecedented amount of attention from press and public alike. Joker’s ending is without a doubt one of the main reasons why: it’s a third act filled with unforgettable moments and tantalizing twists. What makes the Joker ending so instantly iconic? The… Continue reading Joker Ending Explained — How to Make a Satisfying Finale
When people ask me if I went to film school, I tell them no, I went to films. – Quentin Tarantino Quentin Tarantino is not just a world-class filmmaker but also a renowned film lover. He is a lifelong cinephile with an encyclopedic knowledge of the medium. Tarantino always packs his films with homages to the… Continue reading Quentin Tarantino’s Favorite Movies of All Time — 20 Cinematic Gems
Dialogue scenes can be great, but they can easily fall short if they solely focus on the character doing the talking. Reaction shots have the ability to elevate a dialogue scene in a completely nonverbal way. Sometimes the physical reactions of a character can say a whole lot more than words. Let’s find out how.Continue… Continue reading The Reaction Shot — Much More Than Essential Film Grammar
What is screen direction in film? Why is it important? And how can it be used creatively? We’ll be answering all of these questions and providing you with everything you need to know about screen direction. We’ll get started with a comprehensive definition, then drill down deeper into the various techniques and applications associated with… Continue reading What is Screen Direction in Film — How to Preserve Continuity
One of the best ways for filmmakers to visually create a cohesive and intentional film tone is through lighting. The best cinematographers in the industry have a great understanding of the relationship between lighting and story. High key lighting has a long history in the world of film and television for both logistical and artistic… Continue reading What is High Key Lighting — Examples & Creative Uses
A crucial part of filmmaking lies in preparation during pre-production. Developing an idea of what a film will look and feel like takes some deep thinking. Creating a film lookbook is a great way to compile all of these thoughts into one place for your benefit and the benefit of the entire film crew. In this… Continue reading Film Lookbook Examples & How to Make a Lookbook for Film
Cinematographers obviously play a vital role in making a film, but what decisions do they make on a daily basis? The cinematographer’s primary goal is to capture the director’s vision. Using lighting, camera, and composition techniques, a DP translates that vision into images. This post goes over the common considerations with explanations from working professionals.… Continue reading What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains
Every camera needs a camera bag — but what’s the best camera bag to buy? We’re going to break down a variety of different camera bags by looking at their features, specs, and prices — as well as reviews from industry professionals. Fear not, dropping your camera will soon be a faint memory — the… Continue reading Best Camera Bag in 2021 — Features, Specs, Reviews & Prices
Cowboys, outlaws, deserts, shanty towns, and gunslinging. These are familiar elements seen in the genre known as the Western, in both literature and cinema. But for many genre fans, it specifically refers to Spaghetti Westerns, a genre that emerged during the 1960s. Traditional Westerns they weren’t, as they were often low budget, featured violence and… Continue reading What is a Spaghetti Western — History and Legacy Explained
Long ago, when all television screens and computer monitors looked alike, they shared the same aspect ratio of 4 by 3. It dominated the way early cinema and television looked, but it was not meant to last. In the 21st century, new and emerging technology has resulted in more aspect ratios, like 16:9, leaving 4:3… Continue reading What is 4:3 Aspect Ratio — And Why Do Filmmakers Still Use It?
Film is primarily a visual medium. Filmmakers have various tools to create meaning through visual elements, one of which is the visual metaphor. Visual metaphors are often subtle, but are incredibly important for filmmakers in communicating and resonating with an audience. What is a visual metaphor? How and why do filmmakers use them? We’ll break… Continue reading What is a Visual Metaphor — Definition & Examples in Art & Film
Diving into the world of film photography is incredibly exciting and overwhelming at the same time. And the first step to shooting film photography is choosing and buying a film camera. In this article, you’ll find a list of the best film cameras for every budget and skill level. Whether you are a novice or… Continue reading Best Film Cameras in 2021 — Canon, Pentax, Olympus & More
Best Nolan MoviesNolan’s Directing StyleNolan Directing Tips Nolan’s CirclesNolan’s Shot List Which are the best Christopher Nolan movies? How do you rank them against each other? Do Christopher Nolan films get better over the years, and how will Nolan’s next movie measure up? We’ve created a list of the best Christopher Nolan movies ranked not… Continue reading Top 11 Christopher Nolan Movies, Ranked Worst to Best (2021)
What is blaxploitation? Blaxploitation refers to a genre, a film movement, and an important period of cinema history. In this post, we’ll define Blaxploitation, explain the historical context, look at the most important films of the movement, and even take a look at the status of this genre and style in our modern film industry.Continue… Continue reading What is Blaxploitation — An American Film Movement Explained
