Have you ever watched a movie where someone says they will absolutely not do a thing, but the very next shot is them doing the thing? How about a scene where someone is about to get murdered, but the very next shot is someone making dinner? If you answered yes, you may have encountered a smash cut in the wild. But what is a smash cut, where did it come from, why is it used, and how can you take advantage of it?Continue reading What is a Smash Cut — An Editor’s Guide with Examples & Tips
Contemporary art is often defined as “art of the current day.” But is that all contemporary art is? Or is it something more? We’re going to explore the world of contemporary art by looking at some examples from prominent contemporary artists around the world. By the end, you’ll know what contemporary art is, and what makes it unique.Continue reading What is Contemporary Art — Definition, Artists, and Examples
What is suprematism in art? Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with supremacism. The suprematist art style is an important one with a storied history that requires a great deal of context to fully appreciate. We’ll get started with an overview definition before drilling down into the history of the movement, then we’ll wrap things up by looking at some of the most notable examples of suprematist art.Continue reading What is Suprematism — Art Movement Characteristics
Writing a script can be a daunting task – but there are strategies for making it an engaging and fun exercise in creative practice. We’re going to answer the essential questions involved in writing a script, with character arc and plot examples. Then we’ll explain how to use our script analysis worksheet so that you can ensure you’re hitting all the major narrative, structural, and emotional beats needed to deliver a satisfying story.Continue reading Script Analysis Worksheet PDF — How to Analyze a Script
Did you know that some of the most famous movies of all time, like Rear Window, Rashomon, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, were adapted from short stories? The art of turning prose into a professional script has been incredibly lucrative for hundreds of writers over the years. We’re going to show you how to convert a short story into a script. By the end, you’ll be ready to pitch the next big cinematic adaptation to studio execs.Continue reading How to Convert a Short Story into a Script — A 5-Step Guide
Swiss philosopher Carl Jung theorized that all people are connected by a collective unconscious; which dictates we understand a collection of archetypes and symbols. But how do we understand these archetypes and symbols? Where do they appear? And how are they used? We’re going to answer those questions by exploring “repetition in art,” from character archetypes to semiotics and everything in between. By the end, you’ll know why repetition is such an important part of art.Continue reading Repetition in Art — Patterns, Meanings & Techniques Explained
Is there power in nonsense? Some might say that nonsense is by definition meaningless. But for Dada artists, nonsense was the ultimate political tool to smash existing power structures and artistic norms. In this article we’ll look at the historical context in which Dadaism artists arose, what Dada looked like, and how it still casts a long shadow over the world today.Continue reading What is Dadaism Art — Movement, Style, and Artists Explained
What is a soundstage? It’s a term we hear fairly often in film circles, but it’s usually assumed we know what it means. Don’t fret, we’re going to define soundstage and then look at some iconic examples. By the end, you’ll know what soundstages are and how they’re used. But before we get into our examples, let’s review where soundstages started.Continue reading What is a Soundstage — Definition, History & Function Explained
Anytime you see an actor handle or interact with an object in a film, that object was carefully picked out and acquired by a single person — the prop master. Films can have an incredible amount of props and each one is important in its own way. Behind it all is a prop master. What is a prop master and why are they important to a production? In this article, we’ll cover how prop masters approach a script, how they acquire props, and the other responsibilities they have on and off set.Continue reading What is a Prop Master — Job…
There are a few iconic films that have transcended cinema and impacted culture at large and Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon is certainly one. Kurosawa’s exploration of truth and its expression in the film led to a term that would be used both in and outside of cinema — the Rashomon Effect. The Rashomon Effect is used in a range of subjects from storytelling to psychology to law. So what is the Rashomon Effect? In this article, we’ll be taking a look at its origins, what it means, and its influence on both film and culture. Continue reading What is The Rashomon Effect in…
