What Was the Renaissance — Definition, History & Artists

Picture a world bursting with creativity, where revolutionary ideas and awe-inspiring masterpieces were born, transforming the very fabric of society. Welcome to the Renaissance, a monumental period in history that spanned from the 14th to the 17th century and unleashed an unprecedented wave of artistic, cultural, and intellectual innovation. As we journey through this fascinating period, we'll uncover the secrets behind its lasting impact on our world and explore the Renaissance definition and how the Renaissance forever changed the course of history.Continue reading What Was the Renaissance — Definition, History & Artists

What is Pre-Production in Animation — Process Explained

Animation movies are exciting and captivating; however, there is a lot more that goes into creating them than merely sketching and drawing characters. The process of developing an animated movie involves three main stages, pre-production, production, and post-production. Each stage is crucial in its own right, but in this article, we are going to focus on pre-production. Let’s dive in. Continue reading What is Pre-Production in Animation — Process Explained

Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature — Full List

Welcome to our blog post about the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. This award is given to the best real-life stories told on film. From harrowing tales of human endurance to insightful explorations of societal issues, these films represent the pinnacle of documentary filmmaking. In this article, we're going to look at the comprehensive list of films that have won this important award as well as rank the the top ten best Oscar-winning documentary feature films.Continue reading Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature — Full List

What is a Foil Character — Definition, Examples in Lit. & Film

What is a foil character? Is it a character who wears tin-foil on their head? Wait no, that’s Joaquin Phoenix in Signs. Foil characters exist to expose something in the main character of a story. You may have heard the term in reference to the works of William Shakespeare, but he’s not the only writer who uses them. We’re going to show you some examples of foil characters from literature, film, and television. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize foils from a mile away and perhaps hatch an idea for your own foil character.Continue reading What is a…

How to Direct Actors for Film — 12 Tips & Techniques Explained

There are many responsibilities that fall onto the shoulders of a director. One of the most important responsibilities they have is to direct the actors of a film. How do great directors bring out great performances from an actor? What is the relationship between director and actor? How should a director communicate with an actor? In this article, we will answer all of these questions and lay out actionable tips on how to direct actors for film that will help any director get the best performances.  Continue reading How to Direct Actors for Film — 12 Tips & Techniques Explained

Top 30 Best Gangster Movies of All Time, Ranked

No genre has influenced the public's perception of criminals more than Gangster Movies. For more than 80 years, the best gangster movies have fascinated and allured the minds of millions; from Prohibition-era pre-code crime to 21st Century gang life. Our list of the 30 best gangster movies of all time includes films that span the globe and were produced in different time periods, with very different budgets.Whether sensational like De Palma’s Scarface or grounded like Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood, audiences have grown to see gangsters in new ways. But their binding similarity is that they are each responsible for shaping…

How to Make a Web Design Mood Board — Examples & Tips

Web design mood boards are useful tools for people looking to construct mood boards online. But how does one make a web design mood board? We’re going to show you how to make a web design mood board by taking a look at a couple examples. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to make your own web design mood board.Continue reading How to Make a Web Design Mood Board — Examples & Tips

What is a Boom Shot? Camera Shot Definition and Examples

Every camera movement should be chosen with intention and purpose. For that reason, it is important for every filmmaker to understand the fundamental effects of every camera movement available. One of the most effective movements, specifically when it comes to capturing location and setting, is the boom shot. The boom shot goes by many names such as the jib shot or crane shot. It is one of the camera movements that almost immediately adds production value to a film. What is a boom shot and what are its unique storytelling functions? Continue reading What is a Boom Shot? Camera Shot…

How to Use a Storyboard Template — Guide and Free Download

  You've downloaded a storyboard template but if you don't know how to use a storyboard template, you're a bit stuck. What notes and annotations go next to the panels? What do those abbreviations mean? And, most importantly, how can I use this storyboard template in a way that works best for me? Fear not, budding storyboard artist, we will cover all of these questions and more as we run through the essential steps of how to use a storyboard template. Pencil's out, let's go. Continue reading How to Use a Storyboard Template — Guide and Free Download

Camera Lenses Explained — How Do They Work?

Finding the right lens for your camera can vastly improve your images and overall production, but learning about video and photo camera lenses can be expensive and time-consuming. In this article, we explain photo and video camera lenses so that you can not only understand how your lens and camera work together but also which lens, or set of lenses, is the best option for you moving forward. This is Camera Lenses Explained. Continue reading Camera Lenses Explained — How Do They Work?