Over the course of nine feature films, Denis Villeneuve has shown himself to be one of contemporary cinema’s leading filmmakers.Known for his intense dramas, Villeneuve often allows his environments to act as extensions of his characters. Much of this is accomplished through color choice.Here’s how Denis Villeneuve uses color theory to enhance the narrative.Continue reading Mastering the Movie Color Palette: Denis Villeneuve
Dramatic irony requires time to work effectively. And, in the best examples, dramatic irony unfolds over the course of minutes, an hour, or even the entire film. Similar to a three-act structure, there are stages to how it works. What are the stages of dramatic irony? We'll answer that with examples from classic movies so that you'll know how to use it in your own screenplays.Continue reading What Are The Stages of Dramatic Irony? Examples for Screenwriters
Ah yes, we’ve arrived back at the most carnal of all storytelling devices: the sex scene. Writers, artists and filmmakers have used sex to evoke a multitude of different emotions to the audience, like love, hate, confusion, lust, among many, many more. But every one of the best movie sex scenes of all time adds something essential to a story, whether it be comedic, dramatic, or stylistic.In this article, we’re going to rank movie sex scenes by looking at a few crucial criteria: Visuals, Impact and Acting. The scenes on this list are ranked by their importance to the narrative…
Darren Aronofsky movies show us the most complex regions of the human psyche. As the Black Swan director says, “Because we are filmmakers, we can show where a person’s mind goes.”Continue reading Darren Aronofsky Movies ― Directing Style and Technique
So you've done everything you can think of to prep during pre-production. You now find yourself on set. Here are 8 production hacks for a 2nd AD to put into practice immediately. This is a companion to piece to 7 Pre-Production Hacks for 2nd AD’s. If you haven’t had the chance to give it a read, check it out!Continue reading 8 Production Hacks for a 2nd AD Shooting on Location
Socratic irony is one of the more manipulative types of irony. It's a tricky way to get information out of someone that can be used against them later. This type of irony is perfect for courtroom scenes but can applied in any sort of verbal confrontation. Let's define Socratic irony with examples from both drama and comedy to give you an idea of how it may be used in your own scripts. Continue reading What is Socratic Irony? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters
Why do filmmakers need to know about 3 point lighting? It's great for picture-day photography, but what if you’re looking for an explanation of how 3 point lighting works for film and video?We’re going to show you why 3 point lighting is important for filmmakers, but also take you deeper into some advanced techniques, and how you can use it to effectively light large scenes.Continue reading Three-Point Video Lighting: Key, Fill, & Backlight Setup Guide
Soviet Montage Theory is one of the most technically influential film movements of all time. In this article, we’re going to define what Soviet Montage Theory is, then break down the five different types with examples from Russian cinema history. Continue reading Soviet Montage Theory — Definition, Examples and Types of Montage
The Austin Powers opening scene is one of the most memorable comedic set pieces in film history. With skydiving, motorcycles and exploding helicopters, it’s an incredibly detailed shoot, and the only way the Austin Powers 3 opening scene was even possible was with detailed storyboarding. In this co-production with Sundance Co//ab, Director Jay Roach shares his original storyboards and explains how he used them to shoot such a complicated scene while balancing action, comedy, tone, and contrast. We’ve imported the original storyboards that were used for the Austin Powers intro into StudioBinder’s storyboard software to provide useful tips you can…
Online storyboard creators give your projects a clear visual plan that communicates your creative goals for your story. In today’s post, we’ll take you step-by-step on how to make a storyboard in an online storyboard creator. Then we’ll show you how to use free storyboard software to upload your sketches and reference images into ultra-clean layouts while customizing display options as you go.Continue reading StudioBinder Storyboard Creator: Step-by-Step Guide
