In 2013, Ari Aster released Munchausen, a short film about the proxy disorder of the same name in which a caregiver torments people in their care. Munchausen made waves upon release in large part due to Aster’s impressive direction. In the years following the release of Munchausen, Aster became a household name in cinema circles for writing and directing Hereditary and Midsommar. We’re going to revisit Ari Aster short films to analyze his early writing/directing style. Fans of his work may be surprised to see just how much he worked on in such a short time before his Hollywood breakthrough.Continue…
What would you consider the most versatile tool on a set? Most filmmakers and grips would probably come to the same conclusion — the C-stand. C-stands are the workhorse of a film production. They are the humble heroes that can impact both the quality of a shot as well as the safety of a set. In this article, we’ll cover the most common ways of how to use a C-stand on a set and the fundamental steps to setting one up. Continue reading How to Use a C-Stand — Parts, Functions & Proper Usage Tips
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the best story in the trilogy. There are those who will disagree with me, but there’s no denying that Fellowship does a tremendous job of establishing the characters and world of Middle-Earth – while also balancing fantastical whimsy with dramatic action. Fellowship is adapted screenwriting done right – and we’re going to show you why it works. Fly you fools! Download a copy of the Lord of the Rings script below and follow along as we break down its plot.Continue reading Lord of the Rings Script PDF — ‘Fellowship’…
If you’ve ever heard sentence structure, met characters, or witnessed ideas that seem diametrically opposed, you’re actually pretty familiar with the idea of the antithesis. But there is more to it than just juxtaposing ideas. Read on to learn exactly what is antithesis, how this tool is used, and how you can include an antithesis in your next project. Continue reading What is Antithesis — Definition & Examples in Literature & Film
Cinematographers far and wide have come to know the name “Local 600” – but what is IATSE Local 600? What does it mean? Why does it sound like a spy syndicate? Well, we’re going to answer those questions (at least most of them anyways) by exploring the history of Local 600. We’re also going to examine how specialty technicians can join Local 600. By the end, you’ll know all the nuts and bolts regarding Local 600. Continue reading IATSE Local 600 — How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild
In 2016, Georgia eclipsed California as the state that produced the most feature films in the U.S.A. Much of Georgia's prolific film production comes from Atlanta – but it’s not entirely centralized. We’re going to explore the benefits to shooting in Georgia and film studios in Atlanta. By the end, you’ll know why many call Atlanta the “Hollywood of the South.” Continue reading Film Studios in Atlanta Georgia — A Guide to Shooting in ATL
When it comes to the best training scenes in movies, the mind immediately jumps to some of the most iconic — Rocky, Rocky IV, and perhaps the new equivalents Creed and Creed 2. But the truth is, the training montage transcends the Rocky franchise. In fact, it transcends film genres. In our featured video, we break down how these scenes are directed. Following that is our list of the best training scenes in film. Time to hit the gym!Continue reading Best Training Montage — 15 Scenes Beyond Rocky & Creed
What are the best movie scripts to study as an aspiring screenwriter? Reading great screenplays is an important part of the learning process for any developing screenwriter. By looking at the work of great writers, we can explore a multitude of styles and approaches. Studying great scripts can strengthen and inform your own writing. We’ll be discussing the 10 best movie scripts to study. Let’s get started.Continue reading Best Screenplays to Read for Aspiring Screenwriters — Top 10
One of the key differences between professional images and amatuer images is detail. Detail, or lack thereof, is the difference between a cinematic shot and a video-looking shot. Capturing more detail requires a solid understanding of dynamic range. What is dynamic range in photography?Dynamic range in photography and cinematography is a fundamental technical principle that ultimately allows you to bring your creative vision to life. Without an understanding of this range, you run the risk of creating images that fall flat, are blown out, or get crushed. Continue reading What is Dynamic Range in Photography — Exposure Essentials
Whether you are a cinematographer or photographer, you are very likely to come across a project that will require the use of hard light. High contrast photography, Chiaroscuro lighting, and dramatic images in general are all created with some type of hard light. What is hard light and how does it differ from soft light? We’ll answer these questions and give you some tips to create and shape hard light so that you can use it to create the images you see in your mind. Continue reading What is Hard Light — Examples and Techniques in Film & Photo
