There are a few fundamental editing techniques that every editor should know. One of the major ones is the J-cut. Just about every movie you watch has some sort of J-cut within its edit. J-cuts help move the film along in an engaging way, but can also be an incredibly effective storytelling device when used… Continue reading What is a J-Cut in Film — Editing Techniques Explained
What is a color rendering index? This bit of technical jargon might seem daunting to unravel, but in this post, we’ll be breaking down this somewhat scientific term into the simplest language possible and providing a clear definition. We will also take a look at how a color rendering index is used and why it… Continue reading What is Color Rendering Index — Light & Color in Film & Photo
What is a leitmotif? What makes it different from a theme song? How is it used in cinema? These are the questions we’re going to answer as we look at the leitmotif definition and examples. We’re also going to show you how masterclass composers like John Williams apply leitmotifs to their films. By the end,… Continue reading What is a Leitmotif? Definition and Examples in Film
There is a saying: the best film editing is the editing that nobody notices. Though there are exceptions, this is pretty widely accepted as truth for the most part. So if good editing purposely avoids standing out, how are the nominees and winners of the Best Film Editing Oscar picked out and decided? The editing style… Continue reading Academy Award For Best Film Editing — Top 20 Winners Ranked
The cinematographer, editor, and director work together to create a seamless experience within watching a film. There are certain cuts that can jar an audience out of this experience and make them aware they are watching a movie. One of these cuts is referred to as a jump cut. While many advise against using jump… Continue reading What is a Jump Cut? 5 Ways to Use Jump Cuts in Film
FREE Movie Poster Template for PhotoshopLooking for a free movie poster template for photoshop? We’ve created two versions for you! The first one is ideal for a movie poster with a dark background, and the latter is ideal for light backgrounds. Download Template Made with Adobe PhotoshopThe .psd file includes a clean workspace to create… Continue reading FREE Movie Poster Template for Photoshop
Video transitions are used in just about every film and video – and they play an enormous role in the subliminal or liminal effects of moving from shot to shot. As such, knowing when and how to use specific types of editing transitions in film – like wipes, fades and pans – can make your… Continue reading Types of Editing Transitions in Film — The Ultimate Guide
Great performances, direction, cinematography, and even production design are all essential for creating an engaging dialogue scene. But one of the most important aspects of a great dialogue scene is effective editing. Editing can make or break a dialogue scene even if all of the other filmmaking elements fall into place. So how do you edit… Continue reading How to Edit a Dialogue Scene — Tips and Techniques for Editors
What is Adobe Media Encoder? Adobe Media Encoder is a video processing application that can save editors countless hours of waiting for their videos to export. But how does one use Adobe Media Encoder? We’re going to answer that question by exploring how Media Encoder works and why video editors choose to use it in… Continue reading What is Adobe Media Encoder (And How to Use it)?
Cinema is an ever-evolving landscape. Throughout its history, certain technological advances have opened countless doors for filmmakers. Technicolor brough colorized motion pictures, green screens opened new worlds, and motion capture opened the door for limitless characters. What is mocap and how does it work to create iconic characters? Let’s find out. Continue reading What is Mocap… Continue reading What is Mocap — The Science and Art Behind Motion Capture
Since the days of silent films, music has played an essential role in cinema. Originally played by phonography or improvised by live musicians, music accompanied the narrative of a film in theatres. As technology progressed and the ability to synchronize sound to celluloid developed, the role of the film composer became integral and music was… Continue reading What is a Film Score — Movie Score vs. Soundtrack Explained
Muzzle flashes are an integral element in every movie shootout. Though they might seem like a small detail, it can make the difference between a movie gunshot seeming cheap and fake or real and exciting. Muzzle flashes can be executed in a few different ways, and we’ll be explaining everything you need to know about… Continue reading Muzzle Flash Effect — Downloads, Tutorials & On-Set Tips
One of the best ways to incorporate unique transitions or vibrant overlays into your edit is through light leaks. Lens flares, light leaks, and film burns can result in a unique look, but are not always easy to add naturally in-camera. So we’ve compiled a list of the best places to download light leak overlay… Continue reading 76 Light Leak Overlay and Video Effects — Free Downloads
What is colorization? Back in the early days of filmmaking, color was something reserved for movies few and far between. But as the years went by, more and more movies began to be made in color. However, many filmmakers and critics in Hollywood expressed outrage at the idea of adding color to classic black-and-white movies.… Continue reading Film Colorization Process & The Debate Over Colorized Movies
Are you asking yourself, how do I slow down a video? There are many reasons why one might want to slow down footage, but how is it done? The process is different depending on the particular editing program being used. In this post, we’ll be walking you through the four simple steps necessary to slow… Continue reading How to Slow Down a Video in Premiere Pro — Editor’s Guide
Perhaps more than any other film genre, a great horror movie relies on a great soundtrack. An effective horror soundtrack heightens the terror in a scene exponentially, scaring an audience before there might be anything visually to be afraid of. The best horror soundtracks are memorable, but don’t overshadow the film. They become inseparable from… Continue reading Best Horror Movie Soundtracks — Top 10 Scary Good Scores
A good scare depends on a good sound effect. A scary visual is one thing, but when it’s paired with scary sounds, you’re sure to get your audience to jump out of their seats. Here are the best websites for finding the right scary sound effects for your next horror movie — all without breaking your… Continue reading Scary Sound Effects — Best Sites for Horror Sound Effects
The Blue Yeti Nano microphone is one of the most popular USB mics in the world — but is it any good? Today, we’re going to look at the Blue Yeti Nano microphone’s tech specs, price, pros and cons, and more to see how it stacks up against the competition. By the end, you’ll know… Continue reading Blue Yeti Nano Microphone — Specs, Price, Pros & Cons
Are you wondering how to ramp speed in Premiere? We’ll be walking you through four simple steps to create your very own speed ramps in Adobe Premiere Pro. We’ll even provide a couple of tips to set yourself up for success in advance of bringing your footage into the editing room. Let’s get started with… Continue reading How to Speed Ramp in Premiere — A Guide for Video Editors
Finding good background music can be a difficult task – but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve done our research to deliver a list of the best background music resources you can use right now. The background music options on this list fall under the licensing umbrellas of royalty free, creative commons, public domain, and… Continue reading Background Music for Videos — Royalty-Free & Paid Options
