If you’ve ever watched a show, movie, or commercial with words on the screen, you’ve likely seen lower thirds at work. But what is a lower third? And how can you create them effectively, while maintaining aesthetic integrity? A slick design with strategic font and color choices will add a layer of professionalism to your project. Here are some tips on how to make that happen, including tutorials and templates for lower thirds in After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro.Continue reading What is a Lower Third? Definition and Design Strategies
The script has been written and your project has progressed to the point where you’re ready to start planning the production, but maybe it’s your first time. If you didn’t happen to go to film school like myself, it can be hard to know where to start and what comes next. This is where I use StudioBinder’s task card feature to layout to-do lists, so I always know what’s done and what’s up next. Come along as I set up a project by adding task cards to individual pages of my project. Continue reading How to Set Up a Project…
The best movie directors of all time — the idea of such a list sparks immediate debate. Rather than try to impose any sort of definitive or objective best directors list, consider this more of a celebration of the entire medium. Woefully underrepresented on this list are women. While women have been an integral part of the film industry since the beginning, the opportunity to direct was rarely given to them. That means that any list that covers the entirety of film history will be unfortunately one-sided. Thankfully, women have been making great strides in reversing this over the years…
In today’s cinematic landscape, very few people are unaware of what a prequel is. Whether you’re watching a new movie that’s labelled as such, or the “sequel” you’re watching actually takes place before the first film, prequels are not that uncommon in the world of entertainment. But what is a prequel exactly, and what are the elements that make one up?Continue reading What is a Prequel? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters
There seem to be three primary ways people learn screenwriting these days: film school, screenwriting books or the Scriptnotes podcast with John August and Craig Mazin. In most cases, probably a combination of all three. Film school has an obvious downside, it costs about $100,000. Ask any screenwriter about screenwriting books and you’ve clearly hit a touchy subject, and don’t even mention the gurus. Yet, it’s hard to find anything negative about the weekly Scriptnotes podcast, which means it’s hard to find anything negative to say about John August. So, who is John August and why is he such a…
Non-fiction, as a literary genre, has always held a unique position in the realm of literature. It is a genre that revolves around facts, real events, and real people, serving as a window into the realities of our world. In this article, we’ll provide a deeper understanding of non-fiction, its definition, examples, and the various genres it encompasses.Continue reading What is Non-Fiction — Definition, Examples, and Genres
Some archetypes feel like they have been with us forever, showing up just about everywhere. Some of those include the heroic hero, the villainous villain, and the fair damsel, among others. One of these is the wise old man, which is so ubiquitous that it even exists in real life (though your mileage may vary). Even though the title has origins in Jungian psychology, the actual archetype has been around since Ancient Greek and Roman times. So what is the wise old man archetype, where can a wise old man be found, and what do they impart?Continue reading The Wise…
Aporia is a tricky term to understand; no doubt in part because it merits two definitions. But fear not, we’re going to define aporia twice! We’re also going to break down some aporia examples in philosophy and writing to get to the bottom of the aporia meaning. By the end, you’ll know what aporia is; how to recognize it, and how to apply it.Continue reading What is Aporia — Rhetoric’s Secret Weapon Explained
If only I had something quick and witty to say about epigrams… ah, but then, I would be using an epigram to describe epigrams! But what is an epigram? We’re going to break down what an epigram is through an epigram definition and epigram examples. We’ll also examine some famous epigram poem examples to see how the great writers of yore used the technique. By the end, you’ll know what an epigram is and how to use it in your own writing.Continue reading What is an Epigram — Definition and Examples for Writers
Have you ever had a conversation with someone about one topic but suddenly they change the subject in the most abrupt and out of nowhere way possible? This could count as a non sequitur, a literary device that has shown up in different plays, books, movies, and shows. But what is a non sequitur and how can you identify it? We’ll cover that along with some examples so you can make sure you’ll always recognize it.Continue reading What is a Non Sequitur — And Why Good Writers Use Them
