If you're new to script writing, getting started can be a daunting task. Creating an accurately formatted screenplay requires scriptwriting software and some options out there can cost a bundle. We’ll take you through all the screenwriting software options, from free to a fortune, so you can decide which script software is best for you. Continue reading 7 Best Script Writing Software for Professional Screenwriters
It’s easy to mix up the different types of camera shots and types of angles. To make a shot list, a filmmaker or video creative must know the classic types of shots based on attributes like shot size, shot framing, camera movement, camera mechanisms, and depth of field. We'll break down all the camera shots, camera angles, and camera techniques that you need to know for your next film or music video. We also include camera shot examples from famous movies to help solidify all the discussed cinematography techniques. Continue reading 50+ Types of Camera Shots, Angles, and Techniques
Shooting projects on a budget can mean limitations on your gear. So how can you maintain a “cinematic” look without a cube truck full of lighting equipment? In today’s post, we’ll examine what exactly it means to have a cinematic look. Then we’ll break down several lighting techniques that are achievable on any budget. Although cinematic lighting is predicated on creative interpretation, these principles of film lighting can form the basis of your creative choices. To show this, we’ve taken several examples of how the best DPs (directors of photography) create specific cinematic effects with thoughtful lighting setups of their…
Did you finally get the green light? Before hitting the accelerator make sure to grab a pre-production checklist for your upcoming tasks.Missing one step during pre-production can mean disaster on set, legal issues down the road, and damage to your overall career trajectory as a filmmaker. A thorough film pre production checklist can prevent costly delays and ensure your production runs smoothly.Missing one step during pre-production can mean disaster on set, legal issues down the road, and damage to your overall career trajectory as a filmmaker.That’s why we put together the ultimate pre-production checklist (including a free checklist you can…
When writing a screenplay, it is key to be clear about the story you are telling and what is visually being conveyed. It is also important to be concise and effective with your writing. To execute both of these aspects effectively, it's important to understand how to write a scene heading in a script. Continue reading How to Write a Scene Heading in a Script — Tips & Formatting
The Best Breakup Scenes? Classifying on-screen heartbreak into a “best” category may be a little callous. But just like your ex, we’re going to do whatever we want, anyway! Just kidding. We made a list of the saddest movie breakup scenes in recent years. So however you choose to judge those gut wrenching moments in cinema, the ones that capture the truth and rawness of what breakups actually feel like, you can check them out below. The saddest ones are often the ones that have no makeup scene to follow. Of course, we added those scenes in too, for the…
So what is an adapted screenplay and what are the requirements for an adaptation? It’s obvious by the name that an adapted screenplay is well, adapted from something else, while an original screenplay is just that, originally created. But actually, even if you come up with an original idea, it may end up falling into the Academy’s category of Best Adapted Screenplay (if you should be so lucky). Continue reading The Adapted Screenplay: True Adaptations or Academy Categories?
There’s no shame in needing a refresher on filmmaking terms, the sooner you know who’s who, the faster you can get involved. So let’s start with one of the most basic, yet hugely significant roles, the movie director. What is a film director?Continue reading What is a Film Director? A Brief Definition of the Role
During a photoshoot, there are many variables and details to keep track of shot to shot. Lighting, camera framing, wardrobe, and poses can all change from one shot to the next. One of the best tools to ensure that every shot contains the details you desire is the photography storyboard. Photography storyboards allow you to visualize and define your shots before the day of the shoot. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to make a storyboard for photography as well as the details to define when creating one. Continue reading How to Storyboard Photography — Ideas,…
You’ve seen many Steven Spielberg movies in your time. Despite his popularity, it can be difficult to pinpoint what defines the Steven Spielberg directing style. Perhaps his control of the medium is so natural and intuitive, his trademarks and cinematography techniques go unnoticed in a good way. This article will explore the most iconic films by Spielberg, analyzing his unique style and storytelling techniques. We get lost in a Spielberg movie in a way that’s like no other filmmaker. His ability to captivate audiences raises questions like what film is the highest grossing of all time, as many of his…
