Everyone has a unique way of talking, speaking, and conversing. The way someone talks can say a lot about who they are, where they come from, and how they like to communicate. So throughout history and the world, you will no doubt have noticed people speaking in different dialects. But what is a dialect? How can you identify a dialect? And what are some best practices for applying it to your work?Continue reading What is a Dialect — Definition, Types & Examples
Do you remember the first time you heard a fairy tale? The anticipation as the story unfolded, the palpable magic, the clash between good and evil, and the eventual triumph of the hero or heroine? But what makes these stories so special? Are they just entertainment, or do they hold a deeper meaning?Continue reading What is a Fairy Tale — Definition, Types & Examples
A goofy protagonist in an uber-normal world. A comedy of errors that snowballs and heightens. A man who’s just trying to get his rug back. These are all examples of the comedic sub-genre “farce”, but what is farce within the world of narrative storytelling? In this article, we’re going to define farce within movies, TV and literature as well as provide a brief overview for how it’s evolved over time. Continue reading What is Farce — The Comedic Subgenre Explained
You're sitting alone in a cafe, sipping your coffee while observing the world outside. Suddenly, as if a light bulb has been switched on, a realization hits you. It's as if a veil has lifted, revealing a profound understanding that was always there, just out of reach. This sudden clarity is what we call an 'epiphany' – a moment of insight that can change our perspective and, sometimes, our lives. Continue reading What is Epiphany in Literature — Types & Examples
There are many great films that are part of the public domain. This also means that in many cases you, yes you, can use these films for your own purposes. With many works in the public domain, you are free to edit, remake, or even use the characters in your own stories. Be sure to research the specific film beforehand if you plan to do this though, as it is possible for a film to be in the public domain while the screenplay remains copyrighted; there are a number of nuances to take into account.Continue reading Best Public Domain Movies…
Creating one moment that stands out in the minds of the viewer after your film or tv show ends can be hard, but it is possible. The long take is one way to do it. Today we’re going to go over the best long takes in film and television. Continue reading The Best Long Take Shots & How They Push the Story Forward
Ever watch a sci-fi movie and wonder how they filmed it? Are there secret movie studios on the Moon? Mars? Westeros? Unfortunately not, the answer is far less gratifying. Instead of Mars, it was probably filmed in a warehouse. However, luckily for us, chroma keying is cheaper and a lot more practical than a trip to the Moon. So cheap you might be able to use it on your next shoot! But what is a green screen, how do they work, and what are the various ways they can be used? Let's get into it.Continue reading What is a Green…
Before you yell, “Action,” you need to make sure the subject in your frame is in the sharpest, cleanest focus possible. This is known as critical focus, and it makes all the difference in having a professional-looking video and an amateur one. You need the right tools on-set to properly calibrate your camera. Right now, you may ask yourself, “What is a focus chart?” But by the end of this post, you’ll understand why you need to acquire one immediately.Continue reading What Is a Focus Chart, How They Work, and Where To Get One
Have you ever wondered how to make your films look like the pros? You might feel inclined to blame your camera, your lenses, your budget, but that would be the wrong response. All of the great cinematographers study the characteristics of light. Learning how to control the fundamentals of lighting will allow you to shape light that creates images worthy of the big screen. Although we will be discussing cinematography lighting, all of these principles apply to photography lighting as well. As this series of articles on lighting techniques progress, we will go into greater detail about each of the four…
