Car chase scenes are fantastic, but they are probably one of the most difficult things to capture. Even if you end up with a relatively successful experience on set, how can you be sure it will work in the edit? Continue reading How to Shoot The Best Car Chase Scene [Mad Max: Fury Road Example]
Montages are crucial to the filmmaking language. A great montage can last in your audience’s head long after they’ve left a theater or turned off their television. But creating a great montage requires planning– how are your shots going to interact? In this post, we’ll look at how to storyboard montage sequences to know how they will look before even arriving on set.Continue reading Storyboard Montage — A Guide to Pre-Visualizing a Montage
Finding a production lighting kit for an upcoming film can be a daunting task. There are many different kinds of lights you can use, and each have their own strengths and weaknesses. But understanding the different forms of film and videography lighting gives you a solid start. For today’s post we looked to great minds in the field, and professional cinematographers as well, to shine a light on the types of film and video lighting kits you need to know about. The first step to painting cinematic pictures with light is knowing the types of light. Then you can pick-and-choose…
Cowboy shots are something we see all the time in film and television. Even from the name alone, an image comes to mind but when should you use one in your film? You don't have to be shooting a Western to use the iconic cowboy shot camera angle. In this post, we're going to start in the Old West but we'll look at some of the ways modern filmmakers have embraced the cowboy shot film technique. So, get your holsters ready and let's ride.Continue reading The Modern Cowboy Shot — Types of Shots in Film, Explained
Have you ever watched a movie with a plot twist that left you stunned, only to rewatch it and realize the subtle clues were there all along? This storytelling technique is called foreshadowing. But what is foreshadowing exactly? Is it merely dropping hints, or is it something more powerful? This article explores foreshadowing in literature and film, defining its types, analyzing famous foreshadowing examples, and revealing how master storytellers from William Shakespeare to Christopher Nolan use this device to craft unforgettable stories. Continue reading What is Foreshadowing — Definition, Examples in Film and Lit.
Filmmaking is a complex process that involves various stages and meticulous planning. Among the important aspects of filmmaking is the pre-production stage, where planning and organization are done before the actual filming. One of the critical tasks in pre-production is creating a plan for the shots that will be taken. Filmmakers use either shot lists, storyboards or both to plan the visuals of their film. In this blog, we will explore the differences between a shot list vs storyboard and help you determine which is better for your next film project.Continue reading Shot List vs Storyboard — How They Differ &…
Early filmmakers showed the world that a movie director could be an artist. But not every movie director. Because part of auteur theory is knowing how to define auteur directors. Before auteur theory, Directors were important, but the other factors were still more significant. Stars. Studios. Producers.People referred to a 'Clark Gable movie' for example, because in the 1930's stars ruled the day. Auteur theory came in the early 1950's, and it changed all that. It shifted some power away from actors, producers, and studio moguls. It shifted power towards directors. Towards specific types of directors. And it ultimately led…
Dof basicsShallow dofDeep dofDOF GuideTYPES OF CAMERA FOCUS The best photographers and cinematographers use depth of field knowledge for precise control over their images.Establishing your own visual style should occur before you step on set, and it begins with understanding how to control your depth of field.Continue reading The Essential Guide to Depth of Field [with Examples]
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 to be a filmmaker in addition to being a film fanatic, it’s important to understand the components that define a film’s genre. Continue reading What is Genre — Definition and Examples of Genre Conventions
Why do filmmakers use over-the-shoulder shots? Can they signal to the viewer that two characters are, at the very least, on the same page? The OTS shot is one of the most commonly used shots in film and television, but often it's used without proper application of advanced cinematic language. We'll break down the psychology so your OTS shots drive home an emotional concept. Continue reading Over-the-Shoulder Shot: Examples of Camera Movements & Angles