Before The Walt Disney Company owned a bunch of companies, and before other film studios and companies were being bought by other big companies, there was the classic Hollywood studio system. What is the studio system? While it would be easy to simplify it as the time when movie studios owned the theaters that would… Continue reading What is the Studio System — Hollywood’s Studio Era Explained
Motion pictures have enticed and inspired artists, audiences, and critics for more than a century. Today, we’re going to explore the history of film by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide. We’re also going to explore the technical craft of filmmaking from the persistence of vision to colorization to synchronous sound.… Continue reading The History of Film Timeline — All Eras of Film History Explained
One of the more popular types of galleries major cities are seeing in the modern day is that of installation art. Viewers and participants enter these galleries and experience installations in which the art surrounds them nearly on all sides. In fact, some classic works of iconic artists are even being adapted into installations. So, what… Continue reading What is Installation Art — Definition, Examples & Artists
Die Hard is a classic action (Christmas?) movie for a good reason. It’s gritty, it’s full of badassery, and it’s simply a blast to watch. And while Die Hard is definitely a great movie, plenty of other films accomplish the high-octane fun, action, and story of the film. Here is our list of the best… Continue reading Best Movies Like Die Hard — 12 Action Classics Just as Fun to Watch
Crediting one person and nailing the exact year of when the camera was invented isn’t that simple. Mainly because the internet gives a ton of different answers. It turns out, a quick history lesson solves the problem. So, if “when was the camera invented” or “who invented the camera” are questions that keep you up… Continue reading When Was the Camera Invented — Dates & Inventors Explained
Exposure Triangle Aperture ISO Shutter Speed Frame Rate Shot List Creator Light is responsible for every image captured in both photography and cinematography. How a camera captures light is determined by three variables that make up what is known as the exposure triangle. What is the exposure triangle? How can each one of its three… Continue reading What is the Exposure Triangle — Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed
Basics of CompositionOpen menu What is Composition Rules of Shot Composition Rules of Composition SizeOpen menu Scale Proportion BalanceOpen menu Asymmetrical Balance Symmetrical Balance Radial Balance Golden Ratio Foreground Elements SpaceOpen menu Positive Space Negative Space Positive & Negative Space Fill the Frame Simplicity LinesOpen menu Leading Lines Rule of Thirds Frame Within a Frame… Continue reading What is the Golden Ratio — Composition Technique Explained
Basics of CompositionOpen menu What is Composition Rules of Shot Composition Rules of Composition SizeOpen menu Scale Proportion BalanceOpen menu Asymmetrical Balance Symmetrical Balance Radial Balance Golden Ratio Foreground Elements SpaceOpen menu Positive Space Negative Space Positive & Negative Space Fill the Frame Simplicity LinesOpen menu Leading Lines Rule of Thirds Frame Within a Frame… Continue reading What is Proportion in Art — Definition and Examples
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… Continue reading Hoyte van Hoytema Movies & Cinematography Style Explained
Cubism is one of the most revolutionary art movements of the twentieth century. Its influence reaches across artistic mediums throughout history. What is cubism in art? In this article, we’ll dive deep into this question by analyzing the origins of cubist art, the artists who pioneered the artistic movement, as well as why the philosophy… Continue reading What is Cubism — Definition, Examples, and Iconic Artists
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… Continue reading Making of Avatar & Avatar 2: Behind-the-Scenes of James Cameron’s Epic
Selling the action of a fight sequence relies on many things from the actor’s performance to the choreography to the set dressing and design. However, an unsung hero of epic fight sequences is the cinematography. Cinematographers prepare to shoot incredible fight scenes by using shot lists and storyboards. In this article, we’ll take a look… Continue reading How to Storyboard a Fight Scene — Tips & Examples
There are few art forms without rules. Even though many forms of media demand artistic discretion and a level of subjectivity, typically artists agree to learn the rules before breaking them. Street art is unique that way. But what is street art, exactly? Unlike screenwriting or cinematography, the technical knowledge of street art is limited… Continue reading What is Street Art — Definition, Artists & History of a Movement
Have you ever watched a film that had some level of predictability, but despite this kept you engaged and entertained up until the credits rolled? Odds are the filmmaker behind the movie had a solid understanding of the genre. Most movie-goers have a basic understanding of popular movie genres such as comedy, romance, and dramas. But… Continue reading What is Genre — Definition and Examples of Genre Conventions
Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now 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… Continue reading What is a Zoom Shot and When You Should Use One
Basics of CompositionOpen menu What is Composition Rules of Shot Composition Rules of Composition SizeOpen menu Scale Proportion BalanceOpen menu Asymmetrical Balance Symmetrical Balance Radial Balance Golden Ratio Foreground Elements SpaceOpen menu Positive Space Negative Space Positive & Negative Space Fill the Frame Simplicity LinesOpen menu Leading Lines Rule of Thirds Frame Within a Frame… Continue reading What is the Rule of Thirds — Definition and Examples in Film
The history of art is overwhelmingly dense. Scholars, artists, and historians have spent lifetimes studying, discovering, and preserving art throughout history. In this article, we’re going to narrow out focus on one facet of the art history timeline — art movements in the Western world. And while there are undoubtedly more art movements left off this… Continue reading Art History Timeline — A Guide to Western Art Movements
What is a StoryboardHow to StoryboardStoryboard ExamplesStoryboard SoftwareStoryboard TemplatesCreate Storyboard → Filmmaking is a craft. And like any craft, the tools of the trade also change with the times. So how has a tool as fundamental as a storyboard changed? Well, it’s gone digital but what is a digital storyboard? In this article, we’re going… Continue reading What is a Digital Storyboard — And Why 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… Continue reading Top Gun Maverick Behind the Scenes — How They Shot It
When some people hear the word “storyboard,” they think “that’s not for me.” Storyboards have a reputation for being hard to make, but that doesn’t have to be the case. To make a storyboard, all you need is paper and a pencil (or a computer), and an idea. Today, we’re going to show you how… Continue reading Storyboard Ideas, Examples, and Techniques Explained
