The first shot in a film may not be the flashiest, but it’s packed full of vital information for viewers. In this post, we’re going to explore some powerful opening shots in cinema, and how to create them in your own films.Continue reading How to Create Powerful Opening Shots — It’s Easier Than You Think
As a 1st Assistant Director, it's your responsibility on set to make sure the production doesn't fall too far behind schedule. In this article we explore best practices to help you wrap on time.Continue reading 4 Tips To Wrap Your Film Production On Time
The 2000s were a weird time for cinema -- kind of sandwiched in between the indie 90’s scene and the blockbuster 2010’s scene. But there are so many great movies that came out between 2000 and 2009, that we thought it would be interesting to look back at what made them so great. So without further ado, this is our list of the best movies of the 2000s.Continue reading Best Movies of the 2000s — The Entire Decade Ranked
Director Rian Johnson movies have a distinct visual and emotional style. Which is a pretty impressive feat given how young a filmmaker he is. Most directors take a few films before they solidify their style. Here’s how you can learn to create a shot list like acclaimed director Rian Johnson -- just remember that for the Last Jedi, the star wipes were someone else’s idea first!Continue reading Mastering Shot Lists: Rian Johnson’s Movies and Directing Style (with Shot List Example)
Whip pans, swish pans, whip shot — whatever you call them, they are a great tool for creating seamless cuts and cool effects in your videos, but understanding how to build an effective whip pan is equally important. Continue reading What is a Whip Pan or Swish Pan: How to Shoot Whip Pan Transitions
Amazon Storywriter, Amazon Storyteller & Amazon Storybuilder were screenwriting tools for storytellers who wanted a cloud-based script writing option. Unfortunately, they're no longer available. But don't fret, they weren't the only game in town — there is actually a more intuitive and powerful solution out there: StudioBinder.We're going to walk you through what makes StudioBinder's screenwriting software more than simply an "Amazon Storywriter alternative" — it's an entire ecosystem of pre-production solutions.Continue reading Amazon Storywriter Alternative: Screenwriting from Script to Screen
Best Tarantino MoviesQT's Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood was one of the biggest hits of 2019, and for good reason. It is a film packed with great characters, memorable scenes, and Quentin Tarantino trademarks. Join us on our Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood analysis as we explore the Quentin Tarantino directing style and how he imbues his scenes with such white-knuckle suspense. Continue reading Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Analysis — How Tarantino Directs Suspense
We’ve talked quite a bit about script breakdowns. We’ve shown you how to break down a script, and how to do it with free script breakdown software. Now, we’re going to take a look at Bong Joon-ho’s script for Parasite and do a deep dive into how you would tag its characteristic set dressing in a real-world production scenario. You can read and download the entire Parasite script below. Let's get started. (Caution: Parasite spoilers ahead) Continue reading Set Dressing Guide: How Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite Creates Meaning
The Breakfast Club is one of the greatest coming-of-age films of all time. The movie’s characters, dialogue, and organic conflict come together in a way that keeps audiences engaged, even when nothing much is happening. Because that’s the thing: Nothing really happens in The Breakfast Club.Beyond its nostalgic value, why is The Breakfast Club so widely studied and celebrated? Let’s find out by tearing down its screenplay.Continue reading The Breakfast Club Script PDF: Plot, Monologues, and Scene Analysis
What do writers do? To be a screenwriter, all you have to do is write, and many people struggle with doing that consistently.A lot of screenwriters out there have the perfect idea for a film they just need to put to paper. Maybe they’ve already written a few pages or the first act. Getting over that finish line can seem like an insurmountable task, but with some helpful advice, any screenwriter can finally finish that first draft, which is the first step to actually getting a film made. You just need to learn how to write every day and committing…
