Medium Shots: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List W e’ve all seen films that… Continue reading Medium Shots: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Martin Scorsese Film School: Interviews and Quotes on his Techniques

How do you learn from a director like Martin Scorsese? You can watch his films, and you can learn by watching his interviews. We took the best Martin Scorsese quotes from his various interviews. Then we compiled a video with examples from his films, so that way you can perfectly understand the directing tips he… Continue reading Martin Scorsese Film School: Interviews and Quotes on his Techniques

What’s an Extreme Long Shot (aka Extreme Wide Shot)?

Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Even if you’ve seen only… Continue reading What’s an Extreme Long Shot (aka Extreme Wide Shot)?

There Will Be Blood: Analysis of a Power Struggle — Director’s Playbook

How does one create a power struggle in film? What are the techniques available that will help to communicate this battle through a visual lens? Let’s look at how Paul Thomas Anderson builds a power struggle with blocking, staging, framing, set dressing, and camera control. Make sure to read through to the end for more examples of… Continue reading There Will Be Blood: Analysis of a Power Struggle — Director’s Playbook

Best Quentin Tarantino Movies Ranked for Filmmakers

Quentin Tarantino has been one of the most controversial and intriguing directors since the 1990s. Some people adore his quippy dialogue while others flinch in fear from his giddy reliance on excessive violence. And the feet. So many feet. We’re ranked all Quentin Tarantino films here so that if you haven’t watched anything from the prolific… Continue reading Best Quentin Tarantino Movies Ranked for Filmmakers

The Directing Style of David Fincher

If you’re familiar with David Fincher movies, you know they focus on serial killers, robbers, brawlers, and murderers alike. You might also know that he has a reputation for being an exacting, obsessively technical director.  However, dark subjects and visual meticulousness belie Fincher’s overlooked secret weapon: his ability to connect with actors on a human level… Continue reading The Directing Style of David Fincher

The Aerial Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Low Angle Shot Eye Level Shot High Angle Shots Dutch Angle Shot Overhead Shot Aerial Shot Camera Angle Guide Explore More ShotsOpen menu All Camera Shots Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List When you’re inside a movie or TV show most of the world is built around the… Continue reading The Aerial Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

The Godfather: Analysis of a Scene — Director’s Playbook

The Godfather is rightfully one of the greatest films ever made. Everything works magnificently together. But one of the most overlooked aspects of the film is how well the blocking and staging are. Today for our film analysis of The Godfather, we’re examining a pivotal scene in the character development of Michael Corleone. In particular,… Continue reading The Godfather: Analysis of a Scene — Director’s Playbook

8 Ways To Make Your Spec Commercial Stand Out [with Spec Ad Examples]

Want to make a commercial for flaming hot cheetos starring Jim Carrey as The Mask? Maybe that’s just me. But if you’re trying to break into commercial directing, you’re going to need a great spec ad under your belt and in your reel. With countless other filmmakers putting out spec commercials to get noticed, it’s more… Continue reading 8 Ways To Make Your Spec Commercial Stand Out [with Spec Ad Examples]

Best New Zombie Movies — Recent & Upcoming Undead Horrorshows

You should be able to tell at this point that here at StudioBinder, we love our zombie movies. While due diligence always goes to the classics like Day of the Dead and Zombieland, there have been plenty of great zombie flicks that proven this genre isn’t dead quite yet. Time to enjoy the little things… Continue reading Best New Zombie Movies — Recent & Upcoming Undead Horrorshows

The Essential Guide to Depth of Field [with Examples]

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… Continue reading The Essential Guide to Depth of Field [with Examples]

Rules of Composition: How to Show Deeper Meaning in a Single Frame

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 Texture Rhythm SpaceOpen menu Positive Space Negative Space Positive & Negative Space Fill the Frame Simplicity LinesOpen menu Leading Lines Rule of Thirds Frame Within… Continue reading Rules of Composition: How to Show Deeper Meaning in a Single Frame

Directing Styles: How Mr. Robot Uses Unique Framing To Build Drama

You’ve got a fresh story–original characters, unique plots, a daring setting. But without a distinct directing style, your film can feel as boring as Manchester by the Sea. How you frame a scene can give your script new meaning or skyrocket you to one of the great auteur directors.Continue reading Directing Styles: How Mr. Robot… Continue reading Directing Styles: How Mr. Robot Uses Unique Framing To Build Drama

Roger Deakins Cinematography Tips & Techniques: Complete Guide

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Cinematography BreakdownsOpen menu Stranger Things Cinematography Better Call Saul Cinematography Euphoria Cinematography Analysis Drive Cinematography Breakdown Blade Runner 2049 Cinematography The Guilty Cinematography Sicario Cinematography Water Light Reflection in Blade Runner Cinematographer StylesOpen menu Roger… Continue reading Roger Deakins Cinematography Tips & Techniques: Complete Guide

Low Angle Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Low Angle Shot Eye Level Shot High Angle Shots Dutch Angle Shot Overhead Shot Aerial Shot Camera Angle Guide Explore More ShotsOpen menu All Camera Shots Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List W hat do you get from a low angle shot? Does it make your character seem more… Continue reading Low Angle Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

80 Best Sports Movies of All Time — The Greatest Sports Films Ever Made

Which are the best sports movies of all time? It’s not an easy list to create because there are so many great sports films that include different styles, different approaches, and of course, different sports. In this post, we’re going to give you the ultimate list of the best sports movies ever made from the… Continue reading 80 Best Sports Movies of All Time — The Greatest Sports Films Ever Made