Imagine you arrive at an old abandoned warehouse to find everything covered in dust. But as you explore, you find a sparklingly clean thermos. You might guess that the thermos hasn’t been there for long, and that somebody might be exploring nearby. This is a valid inference. Or perhaps… the thermos has been trapped in time. This inference has no evidence to support its plausibility. Either way, they’re both inferences! But what does inference mean? We’re going to answer that question by exploring the history of the term alongside some examples. Lock in your final guesses now – let’s answer…
The term “INT” is thrown around a lot in the world of screenwriting and film/television production. But what does INT mean in a script? We’re going to answer that question by defining the term. We’re also going to look at some examples from real-world screenplays! By the end, you’ll know what INT means and how to implement it in your own scripts.Continue reading What Does INT. Mean in a Script — Screenwriting 101
A Sound Designer is an essential member of media production – but what is a Sound Designer? And what does a Sound Designer do? We’re going to answer those questions by looking at sound design examples in film, television, and more. By the end, you’ll know not only what they do, but why they’re important to media production.Continue reading What Does a Sound Designer Do — Role & Duties Explained
Itching to capture some of your favorite travel moments? Maybe you want to find the best camera that will help you share your adventures online. We put together a list to help you find the best travel camera for your needs whether it be size, function, or price. The best travel moments deserve to be shot on your ideal travel camera. So let’s help you find it.Continue reading Best Travel Camera — Pros & Cons, Specs and Prices
David Koepp may be famous for writing the action-packed blockbusters Jurassic Park and Mission Impossible, but his decades-long career as screenwriter boasts a far more diverse, and abundant, oeuvre. From romantic or black comedies to thrillers or moody suspense, Koepp’s stories take audiences on entertaining rides, no matter the genre. Continue reading David Koepp — Screenwriter Analysis on Genre, Craft & Process
Lighting is a huge component of how a shot looks and feels to a viewer’s eye. Specifically, the quality of light can deeply affect the overall tone of a shot. Diffused light, hard light and everything in between are tools filmmakers have at their disposal to tell a story through their shots. In this article, we’re going to dive into how diffused light photography is created with a light diffuser. What is a light diffuser and how does it work? Let’s dive in. Continue reading What is a Light Diffuser — How Do They Work in Photo & Film
What is overcranking? Is it just a relic of filmmaking’s past? Or is it something that we still do today? We’re going to answer those questions by exploring the history of overcranking in film – then we’ll break down some overcranking examples from movies and YouTube videos. By the end, you’ll be ready to overcrank shots in your own videos. Continue reading What is Overcranking in Film — The Origins of Slow Motion
Why are major Hollywood movies so expensive these days? It seems like everything costs at least $200 million to make. Surely, there has to be a happy medium between indies and blockbusters. As it turns out, while the average movie budget has exploded over the last few decades, it’s still a far cry from your typical “Avengers” movie. So buckle up as we take you through a journey of the average of how much it costs to make cinema magic.Continue reading Average Movie Budget — How Much Do Movies Cost to Make?
Congratulations! You’ve put together most of the cast and crew for your next project. Director? Check. Heads of departments? Got ‘em. But your lead actor is the highly-coveted [insert your favorite actor here], and they’re not too sure they want in. Yet. What safety net can you offer, say, Jeff Goldblum, in exchange for—you hope—his excellent work on your next masterpiece? A Pay or Play provision may just be your best bet. In exchange for guaranteed pay, Jeff gives you his word to be involved (that’s just the kinda guy he is). But is Pay or Play really that simple?…
Scene transitions, sudden sounds, quick cuts, off-screen voices, and narrative flow are just among the many terms associated with the “invisible art” known as film editing. Originally seen as a technical tool in the movie making process, film editing quickly evolved to become one of the most important creative aspects of filmmaking. But as its affectionate nickname implies, not everyone knows much about film editing or how it works. So what is film editing, what does a film editor do, where did it come from, and why is it so important?Continue reading What is Film Editing — Editing Principles &…
