Transitions can be an incredibly effective storytelling device that filmmakers use to visually communicate to the audience. One of the earliest transitions is the wipe transition. What is a wipe transition? First used in 1901 in Robert Paul’s Scrooge, the wipe was used from the top of the frame to the bottom, emulating the visuals of a curtain dropping. Wipes continued to be used most famously in the Star Wars franchise and continued to evolve in modern filmmaking. Although the traditional wipe is less predominant in more recent films, filmmakers are taking the principles of the wipe and creatively reinventing…
Rhythm in art is often synonymous with music. Tempo, measures, and beat are critical to captivating listeners and building a great song. Rhythm in film editing works in the same way. The audience's engagement is largely dependent on the pacing of a film. Too slow is boring and too fast makes it hard to connect to the characters and narrative overall. Pacing is created from rhythm and the rhythm in a film is created by the editor. So, how does an editor control the rhythm of a film? Let’s explore the role of a film editor and the dimensions of…
What is Adobe Creative Cloud? In this post we will be explaining what it is, what it’s used for, and breaking down what is included in Adobe Creative Cloud. Adobe creative cloud pricing can get a bit confusing, so we’ll walk you through the different packages available. There is a lot to cover within the Creative Cloud, so let’s get started. Continue reading What is Adobe Creative Cloud — Every App Explained & Pricing
Film editing is an underrated art form, and oftentimes under-appreciated. Editing is the backbone of filmmaking — it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to the craft, including developing one’s own unique editing style, and breaking the rules. Let’s examine one of Hollywood’s most accomplished and notable film editors, Thelma Schoonmaker, and discover what led her to become one of the most prominent names in the business. In this post, we’ll get a brief Thelma Schoonmaker biography, look at her unique editing style, and of course her decades-long collaboration with filmmaker and pioneer of cinematic techniques, Martin Scorsese. Continue reading…
If you find yourself asking, how can I speed up my video? We’re happy to provide the answer, no matter what platform you’re on. The details will vary depending on the particular editing software being used, the method of shooting, and what platform you intend to upload on. For professional video projects, we recommend a full editing program, such as Adobe Premiere Pro. In this post, we’ll break down how to speed up footage in Premiere Pro in three simple steps. We’ll also cover quicker and easier ways to speed up video without using a full editing program. But first,…
Becoming highly-skilled at any craft always starts with learning and honing the fundamentals. So of course, if you want to become a photographer, knowing how light interacts with your camera and how to use that light to produce well-exposed images, are good first steps. In this post, we’ll lay out a few examples to answer specifically, what is underexposed photography, and how you can manipulate the scene to create underexposed images that work for you instead of against you.Continue reading Underexposed Photography — Editing in Photoshop & Lightroom
Film cuts are some of the most important elements in all of filmmaking. But what are the different types of cuts in film? And how are they used by editors to create seamless, jarring, or disruptive flows? We’re going to explain the different types of cuts in film with examples from iconic films. By the end, you’ll know why film cuts are important, and how to implement them in your own projects.Continue reading What is a Film Cut — Editing Cuts and Transitions Explained
If you have ever heard a well-known song in a movie, then it (most likely) means that the song was licensed for use in said movie. This also applies for when you hear a song in a show, commercial, video game, or another visual medium. With how many songs show up in movies, you can bet there are a lot of licenses being held and royalties being paid out. But what is music licensing? And what are the differences between the different types of music licenses that exist?Continue reading What is Music Licensing — Different Types and How to Get…
The Academy Award for Best Original Score is one of the most prestigious honors a composer can be given. Over the years, some of the world’s most acclaimed composers, like John Williams and Max Steiner, have won the award. We’re going to list every Academy Award for Best Original Score winner, then rank some of the best. By the end, you’ll know the Best Original Score category better than ever before.Continue reading Academy Award for Best Original Score: Top Winners Ranked
Have you ever wondered why green screens need to be, well, green? This particular green screen color didn’t just look pretty on camera. Green serves a specific purpose. The same holds true for blue, which you also sometimes see used in movie productions. There’s a time to use each one so that you can adequately chroma key the scene in question.Continue reading Green Screen Color — Ideal Shades for Paint, Fabric and Screens
