When shooting a motion picture on physical celluloid, there are different types you can choose from. Each type will be a certain width, which contributes to its quality, size, grain count, and more. When identifying the different types of celluloid used in filmmaking, we refer to these strips by their film gauge, which is often, but not always, recognized by how many perforations it has. But what is film gauge, why does it matter, how else can it be identified, and which one should you choose? Continue reading What is Film Gauge — 8mm, 16mm, 35mm, 65/70mm Explained
One of the most astounding facts of cinema is how long it takes to produce a movie that runs an hour and a half. How could something rather short in time take years to produce? How long does it take to make a movie? In this article, we’ll break down every phase of the filmmaking production process. We’ll also take a look at how long each phase typically takes in the production of a standard Hollywood studio film. From the birth of the concept to the final cut, here is every phase of the film production timeline. Continue reading How Long…
So, you’re looking to purchase the best new Canon camera, but which model is the right choice? With so many options, it can be challenging to sort through all of the technical specs and features to find the perfect camera. Allow us to do most of the heavy-lifting for you. Canon is one of the most-trusted names in consumer-grade video cameras, but even under the Canon umbrella, the camera choices are plentiful. We’ll be ranking the best Canon cameras for purchase keeping both quality and cost in mind. Let’s make sure you pick the best Canon camera on the market…
We do not always place a lot of emphasis or importance on sound, even though its impact on motion pictures is huge. Movies didn’t start with sound, but now they’re part of the package that comes with filmmaking. And while sound in movies has been around since the late 1920s, it would be Dolby Stereo in the 1970s that led a revolution. The name Dolby is no doubt familiar to you, but what is Dolby Stereo, and how did it impact filmmaking and movie watching?Continue reading What is Dolby Stereo — History of Game-Changing Sound in Film
When a director has a formidable visual style, you need an equally formidable cinematographer. Perhaps that’s why Denis Villeneuve and Roger Deakins have had such a fruitful collaboration. In this post, we’re going to look at their work in Sicario and how elements like lighting and composition were used to support the themes at play. Watch the video below as the two filmmakers discuss their collaboration before we expand what makes the Sicario cinematography so noteworthy.Continue reading Sicario Cinematography Explained — Lighting & Composition
How do you make YouTube videos? If you’re interested in making YouTube videos, you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to show you how to make a YouTube video by breaking down three major steps: 1) planning and conceptualizing, 2) equipment needs and shooting, and 3) editing and uploading. By the end you’ll know everything you need to know to make your own YouTube video! But before we jump into the game plan, let’s review what kind of video you might want to make.Continue reading How to Make a YouTube Video — A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
If Nicolas Winding Refn is known for any one thing, it’s style. Each of the Danish director’s films is imbued with a powerful, coherent aesthetic which guides viewers through a dark social underworld. Ranking Nicolas Winding Refn’s filmography, therefore, is a practice in ranking the effectiveness of his style. At its worst, it overcomes the film or attempts to distract from an underwritten story. At its best, it augments a captivating narrative and sinks an audience into a neon-soaked dreamscape.Continue reading Nicolas Winding Refn Movies — The Entire Filmography Ranked
Have you ever changed the focus of your lens and noticed something… change? Not just the focus, but the image itself reframes and changes size. This is focus breathing. It can be annoying and distract your audience when it occurs in the middle of a shot. What is focus breathing and why does it occur? In this article, we’ll dive into the definition of focus breathing, why it happens, and some tips on how to anticipate or avoid it all together.Continue reading What is Focus Breathing — Camera Lens Techniques Explained
One of the most important parts of creating an engaging film is being efficient with time. As a storyteller, you must make sure that you are communicating the necessary plot information to your audience without boring them with superfluous details. A bridging shot helps filmmakers accomplish exactly this. When a story jumps from one moment to another that is at a different time or place, bridging shots help communicate this change in an efficient yet effective way. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the bridging shot and how it can be an incredibly useful filmmaking tool.Continue reading…
The world of animated movies has opened doors to limitless types of stories. It’s limitlessness, however, comes at the cost of labor. The innumerable moving parts of an animated movie production are all overseen by a director. While it can sound like an overwhelming task, directing an animated movie can be broken down more simply. In this article, we’ll dive into how to direct an animated movie, the stages of creating an animated movie and the director's role throughout production. Continue reading How to Direct an Animated Movie From A to Z in 10 Steps
