Few filmmakers are able to imbue simple, grounded genre stories with as much dramatic heft and visual style as Michael Mann. One of the “neon-noir” innovator’s greatest cinematic achievements is his action-thriller Collateral (2004). If Heat was Michael Mann’s masterwork of the ‘90s, then the Collateral movie was his masterwork of the ‘00s and, arguably, his last great film to date. Collateral was Mann’s most successful film in terms of box office earnings. The film was made for a budget of approximately 65 million dollars and brought in a massive return of over 220 million dollars. Let’s take a look…
Whether you want to make YouTube videos or short films, a green screen can take your project to the next level. You can achieve a professional-looking video relatively inexpensively. But after you get your green screen and film in front of it, there’s still the matter of what you’re going to put in its place. Fortunately, the best green screen background videos are readily available from sites all over the web. Some are free. Others cost a little bit of money. All of them help filmmakers make the best video possible.Continue reading Best Green Screen Background Videos — 4K, HD,…
You have just made a movie, and now, you’d like to sell it. There’s several options open to you. Maybe you have representation, or sales agents who can find distributors for you. Or maybe you’re doing the festival circuit, hoping your film will be seen and bought by buyers that way. Another option you may not know about already is the American Film Market (AFM). But what is the American Film Market, and how can you use this event to help launch your filmmaking career? Continue reading What is the American Film Market & How Does It Work?
The post-apocalypse can often be one of the most intense and dynamic settings for a film. There have been many excellent post-apocalyptic films over the years but also plenty of not-so-good ones. Sorting through the deluge of '80s Mad Max knockoffs and contemporary low-budget, straight-to-DVD apocalyptic films can make finding the gems a little tricky. Today we present you with a list of the best post-apocalyptic movies ever made. Continue reading Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies — The End is the Beginning
Gimbals are the perfect tool for shooting smooth video — whether it be a wedding video, comedy sketch or a feature film. But although there are a lot of great gimbals for mobile devices and expensive cinema cameras, there aren’t many great gimbals in that ever-so-elusive median price range. Enter the Zhiyun Crane 2 — a gimbal that might just be exactly what you’re looking for. Continue reading Zhiyun Crane 2S Gimbal — Pros, Cons, Price & Features (Review)
When shooting a movie, you want to make sure everything looks good, from the focus of the shot, to the lighting of the set. While our naked eye can often do a good job helping us out, exposure tools help us not miss any spots. In-camera tools like zebras and histograms help out cinematographers, but so do false color images. “What is false color” you ask? It’s a tool that also helps you with exposure levels, and one which can be incredibly useful with filming. So let's dive into how to use false color, how they are identified, and how…
What is a complementary color scheme? How can it be utilized in your filmmaking efforts, why does it matter and how is it different from other color palettes? We will be answering each of these questions and taking a look at the psychology of color in storytelling and showcasing some of the best complementary color schemes found in movies.Continue reading What is a Complementary Color Scheme — Definition, Examples
Mottos grace the emblems of families, the logos of corporations, and the banners of nations. These succinct phrases, often encapsulated in just a few words, carry the weight of principles, beliefs, and aspirations. The tradition of mottos dates back to ancient civilizations where they served as expressions of guiding principles. From the chiseled inscriptions of Roman legions to the heraldic crests of medieval knights, mottos have evolved but their core purpose remains unchanged: to convey enduring values and inspire actions based on those values. Continue reading What is a Motto — Definition and Examples
Streaming has become as common as smartphones and the internet itself. It's everywhere, from music to live news broadcasts, shaping the way we consume media and interact with the world. With just a tap, we can access vast libraries of content, breaking free from the confines of traditional media consumption. In this article, we'll dive into the world of streaming, exploring its history and how it continues to revolutionize the film and television industry. Continue reading What is Streaming (and How Does It Work)?
The Oscars, often synonymous with the epitome of cinematic excellence, have been a significant part of the global film industry for almost a century. The golden statuette has not only recognized exceptional talent but also played a crucial role in shaping the course of cinema worldwide. This article delves into the history, significance, and impact of the prestigious Academy Awards. Continue reading What is an Oscar — A History of Hollywood’s Biggest Award
