What is a dissolve in film? Dissolves are some of the most commonly used editing transitions in all of film. We’ve seen them used to expert effect in films like Citizen Kane, Saving Private Ryan, and more. We’re going to explain the dissolve definition in a simple and concise way. Then we’ll show you how to use dissolves in film and television. By the end, you’ll know how to add dissolves to your own videos.Continue reading What is a Dissolve in Film — Editing Transitions Explained
What is a fade transition in video? Fade transitions are some of the most common types of editing transitions in video – but what are they? And how are they used? We’re going to answer those questions by breaking down fade transitions in scripts, films, and more. By the end, you’ll know how to fade in, fade out, and crossfade in film.Continue reading What is a Fade Transition — How & Why to Use Them Explained
Think of some of your favorite films or television series of all time. Whether they are rooted in fantasy or made to be naturalistic, odds are they required some special effects. To bring those effects to life, a Special Effects Supervisor got the job done. And in this article, we’ll dive into the role and responsibilities of a Special Effects Supervisor and what skills a successful supervisor should possess. Continue reading What is a Special Effects Supervisor — Job Description & Role Explained
What is slice of life? Slice of life is a storytelling genre defined by the tone, scope, and subject matter it chooses to focus on. In this post, we will be breaking down and defining the slice-of-life genre, taking a look at the differences between high and low concept stories, and offering examples of the best films that the slice-of-life genre has to offer. Continue reading What is Slice of Life — Exploring a Down-to-Earth Sub-Genre
Toy Story is recognized as one of the more revolutionary films that introduced CGI to the world of animation. However, in order for any of that brilliant animation to gain traction or make a difference, it had to be grounded in a brilliant story. Thanks to John Lasseter, Pete Docter, and the early team at Pixar, it was. In fact, the Toy Story script became the first animated film in cinema history to be nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award. So what makes the Toy Story script so brilliant? In this article, we’ll dive into how the Toy Story…
When you browse for movie scripts online, you can get all kinds of results. And in these instances, what you look up online may not be exactly what you’re looking for. In some cases, what a screenwriter ends up finding is a script and not a traditional screenplay. This is how we get into the situation of screenplay vs script, where the two are similar, but not exactly the same. In this article, we are going to cover both “screenplay” and “script,” while comparing and contrasting the two. In this way you won’t have to keep asking “Is screenplay and…
What is white balance? White balance is a vital camera setting to properly calibrate in order to achieve your desired image. If you have ever taken a photograph or video and found the result to look unnatural blue or yellow, then improper white balance is to blame. We’ll break down what white balance is, how to calibrate it, and what to do if you have already shot your footage without white balancing beforehand.Continue reading What is White Balance — How it Works and Why It Matters
What is day for night? And, perhaps more importantly, is it a good idea? There is plenty of debate over the effectiveness of day for night and, even though the technique is used in plenty of feature-films, many filmmakers wouldn’t touch day for night with a ten-foot pole. In this post we will be defining day for night, weighing the pros and cons of shooting day for night, and even giving a couple of tips for getting the best results if you do decide to shoot day for night. Let’s get started with a definition.Continue reading How to Shoot Day…
So you’re ready to learn about a new script writing format! If you’re familiar with one or the other — stage plays or screenplays — then you’re halfway there to understanding the other. If not, don’t fret, it may just take a little more time to master the basics. We’re going to show you everything you need to know about play script format; with all the tools and templates you’ll need to get started. But first, let’s review the terms.Continue reading How to Write a Play Script Format Explained with Examples
What are microphone polar patterns? If you don’t work in the audio field, then the term may be completely unfamiliar to you. Having a working knowledge of polar patterns, also known as pickup patterns, is crucial when it comes to choosing the best microphone or microphones to use for a specific project. We’ll break down what a polar pattern is and explain the different types of patterns.Continue reading What are Microphone Polar Patterns — And Why They Matter
