It’s time we talked about the ever-so-dreaded “plot hole” -- it’s a term audiences crave, screenwriters fear and critics throw around with reckless abandon; but what is a plot hole? We’re going to explain what a plot hole is and why it’s such a contentious term by looking at screenwriting examples and critical discourse. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of plot holes and how to avoid them in your own writing. But before we get into our examples, let’s quickly review why plot holes are so important to writing and film criticism. Continue reading What is a…
While watching a movie, have you ever noticed certain logos or acronyms in the credits? Sure, there’s plenty of those from companies and such, but some of them are also from societies, guilds, and unions. There’s also a good chance, if you have dabbled in some area of serious movie making, you have learned about a movie union. But what is a movie union, where did they come from, and what do they do?Continue reading Movie Unions — A Complete Guide to Film Unions & Guilds
What is a background artist? It might sound like a simple question, but the answer is a bit more complex than one might expect. The term ‘background artist’ can be used to label two different professions and both of them can be found working on a film set. We will break down what those two different meanings are and what each of them does.Continue reading Background Artist — Animation & Film Crew Position Explained
Are you wondering how to ramp speed in Premiere? We’ll be walking you through four simple steps to create your very own speed ramps in Adobe Premiere Pro. We’ll even provide a couple of tips to set yourself up for success in advance of bringing your footage into the editing room. Let’s get started with a quick definition.Continue reading How to Speed Ramp in Premiere — A Guide for Video Editors
We do not always place a lot of emphasis or importance on sound, even though its impact on motion pictures is huge. Movies didn’t start with sound, but now they’re part of the package that comes with filmmaking. And while sound in movies has been around since the late 1920s, it would be Dolby Stereo in the 1970s that led a revolution. The name Dolby is no doubt familiar to you, but what is Dolby Stereo, and how did it impact filmmaking and movie watching?Continue reading What is Dolby Stereo — History of Game-Changing Sound in Film
When a director has a formidable visual style, you need an equally formidable cinematographer. Perhaps that’s why Denis Villeneuve and Roger Deakins have had such a fruitful collaboration. In this post, we’re going to look at their work in Sicario and how elements like lighting and composition were used to support the themes at play. Watch the video below as the two filmmakers discuss their collaboration before we expand what makes the Sicario cinematography so noteworthy.Continue reading Sicario Cinematography Explained — Lighting & Composition
Finding good background music can be a difficult task – but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve done our research to deliver a list of the best background music resources you can use right now. The background music options on this list fall under the licensing umbrellas of royalty free, creative commons, public domain, and pay per use, addressing editors looking for free and paid background music.Continue reading Background Music for Videos — Royalty-Free & Paid Options
How do you make YouTube videos? If you’re interested in making YouTube videos, you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to show you how to make a YouTube video by breaking down three major steps: 1) planning and conceptualizing, 2) equipment needs and shooting, and 3) editing and uploading. By the end you’ll know everything you need to know to make your own YouTube video! But before we jump into the game plan, let’s review what kind of video you might want to make.Continue reading How to Make a YouTube Video — A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
As film’s continue to break box office records year after year, it is more important now than ever for writers to be protected. Protection over their work, money, and even their health and wellness. With major studios raking in billions of dollars annually, the WGA has ensured that writers throughout the country claim their fair share. So what is WGA and why does it matter? In this article we’ll clarify the history of the Writers Guild of America and the pros and cons of joining.Continue reading What is WGA — The Writers Guild of America Explained
Pixar has always found a way to tell stories that appeal not only to children, but to audiences of all ages. The Inside Out script proves to be no different. The complex concepts of emotional intelligence are simplified, but not compromised in this entertaining tale of a girl coming to terms with the changes in her life and how her emotions help her get there. Creating this story, however, was not a simple process. Let’s take a look at how the folks over at Pixar constructed Inside Out on the page.Continue reading Inside Out Script PDF Download: Plot, Characters &…
