The best short films have a few key things in common: concise storytelling, great performances, an original concept, and stunning visuals. You can learn from each, but which are the best to watch?Continue reading The 49 Best Short Films of All Time That Every Filmmaker Can Learn From
When you’re shooting a scene there are a lot of choices to be made about what’s in the audience’s focus. If you want them to see everything, then you need to use a deep focus shot. Today we’re going to go over the deep focus shot, deep space mise-en-scene, and see why these camera angles should definitely be part of your shot list.Continue reading Deep Focus Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
We’ve all seen a film or TV show breaking the fourth wall. It’s hard to miss, and that’s why breaking the 4th wall is a really big filmmaking decision that can polarize your audience. Is your project right for this technique? If so, when should you do it? We've included plenty of breaking the fourth wall examples, and three tips to help you decide whether this cinematic technique is right for your project. Continue reading Breaking the Fourth Wall: Definition, Meaning and Examples
When you’re inside a movie or TV show most of the world is built around the character's POV. That can feel limiting. But what about when the filmmaker takes you out of the world and reminds you that you’re a viewer and not a participant (like an aerial shot)?Continue reading The Aerial Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
Browse Film Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be your best friend. We’ve included as many film terms as humanly possible all on one page, so let’s get into it.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
Cinema has transformed significantly, with computer-generated imagery (CGI) at the forefront of modern filmmaking. Computer generated imagery has become an essential tool for filmmakers, enabling them to create visuals that would be impossible or impractical to achieve with practical effects alone. The meaning of CGI lies in its ability to merge imagination with cutting-edge digital artistry. But what is CGI? What does CGI stand for? It refers to digitally created visual content used in movies, TV, video games, and simulations, making impossible visuals a reality. The definition of CGI is rooted in its use of computer graphics to transform…
Have you ever been watching a movie or TV show and noticed a subtle change in depth of field that revealed some new detail in a scene? That’s a rack focus. Today we’re going to go over the rack focus. We’ll cover how to do it, how to use it, and why this technique should be on your next shot list. The Best Rack Focus Examples in FilmShifting FocusThe rack focus shot explainedChances are good you've seen countless rack focus shots without even realizing it. Many are subtle and not meant to draw attention to themselves. Others are clearly designed…
Choosing a lens is a key determinant to the composition of a shot. When first deciding what lens you want to reach for, you must first decide whether the shot calls for a prime lens or a zoom lens. What is a zoom lens? In this article we’ll answer all your questions about zoom lenses and examine how some of the best filmmakers of all time use these lenses to create some of the most iconic shots in cinema.Continue reading What is a Zoom Lens? Definition and Examples in Photo and Film
What is a tracking shot? They are really fun to watch, but difficult to film. We've put together a list of the best tracking shots of all time. Then we break down everything you'll need to consider when blocking and planning a tracking shot in your own projects.Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples
The Academy Award for Best Director is the most prestigious honor any director can receive -- well, at least in theory it is. You may be shocked to find out that many of “the greatest directors of all-time,” like Alfred Hitchock, Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, Fritz Lang, Ingmar Bergman, and Federico Fellini never won the award. Of all of the Academy Awards, the Best Director category probably has the greatest discrepancy between its winners and its retrospective, critical consensus. No matter though, we’re going to list all of the Academy Award Best Director winners, then we’ll rank some…
