He’s got his lab coat on at all times, his hair is a mess, he’s not paying attention to anything or anyone but his work, and he might possibly have murderous tendencies. He is the mad scientist, a character trope that has shown up in fiction so much that he’s become ubiquitous to pop culture overall. So what is a mad scientist, where did this stock character come from, and what are some examples?Continue reading What is a Mad Scientist — Definition, Characteristics & Examples
What is a chyron? It’s a word we hear every now and then and seem to always wonder: what the heck does that mean? Well not anymore, because today we’re going to answer the question “what is a chyron?” by defining the term and by looking at chyron examples in television. By the end, you’ll be ready to shock your family and friends when they inevitably ask: what is a chyron?Continue reading What is a Chyron — Definition, Examples and How to Write Them
Cubism is one of the most revolutionary art movements of the twentieth century. Its influence reaches across artistic mediums throughout history. What is cubism in art? In this article, we’ll dive deep into this question by analyzing the origins of cubist art, the artists who pioneered the artistic movement, as well as why the philosophy of cubism left a profound impact on art itself. Continue reading What is Cubism — Definition, Examples, and Iconic Artists
James Cameron’s Avatar was successful by almost any metric. It became the highest-grossing movie of all time, received rave reviews, and was nominated for a whopping nine Academy Awards. As many have noted, while Avatar’s story is compelling, it is its groundbreaking visuals that set it apart from other blockbusters. So how did James Cameron and his team create the vibrant, expansive world of Pandora? In this article, we’ll look at Cameron’s game-changing approach to filming Avatar and how he raised the bar for the film’s much-anticipated follow-up Avatar: The Way Of Water.Continue reading Making of Avatar & Avatar 2:…
How long is a movie script? Or perhaps better questions are how long are scripts in general and how many pages should a screenplay be? While there is a degree of variety to how many pages is a movie script, there is far less flexibility when it comes to the length of a screenplay than one might expect. Unlike prose writing such as a novel, there is very little wiggle room for a script’s page count. In this post, we will explain why page counts are so important, let you know the average page count to shoot for, the average…
There are few art forms without rules. Even though many forms of media demand artistic discretion and a level of subjectivity, typically artists agree to learn the rules before breaking them. Street art is unique that way. But what is street art, exactly? Unlike screenwriting or cinematography, the technical knowledge of street art is limited only as much as one’s imagination is. In this post, we'll lay out the foundations and history of street art, its characteristics, and some of the most prominent artists.Continue reading What is Street Art — Definition, Artists & History of a Movement
If you’re an aspiring cinematographer or director, you know that the camera is your primary storytelling tool. How you move the camera or how you frame a subject communicates intangible information to the audience. The zoom shot is just one of these techniques and adds a very particular and nuanced message. Knowing what this message is is critical to deciding when to use it. So, what is a zoom shot?Continue reading What is a Zoom Shot and When You Should Use One
Filmmaking is a craft. And like any craft, the tools of the trade also change with the times. So how has a tool as fundamental as a storyboard changed? Well, it’s gone digital but what is a digital storyboard? In this article, we’re going to look at digital storyboards, how they differ from traditional storyboards, and why you might want to opt for them when tackling your next project. Continue reading What is a Digital Storyboard — And Why You Should Use One
What is a pilot episode? It is impossible to overstate just how vital a good pilot is within the television industry. In this post, we will explain what a pilot episode is, where it got that name, how a pilot gets made, and how it becomes a show. We will finish up by looking at a couple of examples of noteworthy pilots.Continue reading What is a Pilot Episode — Definition, Script Examples & History
At this time, the theatrical experience is fighting to stay relevant among streaming giants. Top Gun: Maverick made an undeniable case for getting back into theaters. The film was praised by the likes of Quentin Tarantino. It received a five-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. So, what went into creating a film that sparked this response? Let’s take a look behind the scenes of Top Gun: Maverick.Continue reading Top Gun Maverick Behind the Scenes — How They Shot It
