For decades, filmmakers have iterated on creative lighting and cinematic techniques. But still, some of the best lighting techniques, such as chiaroscuro, have persevered to have an impact on cinema today. Though chiaroscuro in film was popularized nearly a century ago, modern cinema still venerates its value. So what is chiaroscuro in film and how is it used today? Let’s find out with some chiaroscuro examples in film, from past to present.Continue reading What is Chiaroscuro in Film? Definition, Techniques, & Examples
From 2001: A Space Odyssey to pretty much every Edgar Wright film, some of the best films of all time have effectively used needle drops to take their films to the next level. This list runs through the best movie songs of all time, and as you go through the scenes, you will find they all have one thing in common. They all enhance what’s happening in the scene.Continue reading 60 Best Movie Songs Of All Time — Top Needle Drops, Ranked
Which are the best superhero movies of all time? Studios pour buckets of money into these films and the “arms race” for better stunts and production value has now been raging for decades.We’re going to tell you which are the 15 best superhero movies of all time based purely on the story, the filmmaking, and aesthetic. If you disagree with our list, make your case in the comments below.Continue reading 16 Best Superhero Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
A tragic hero is a longstanding character type that originated from some of the earliest documented story-telling. Stemming from early stageplays, this type of hero has made its mark as a literary tool not just on stage but in TV and film. But what is a tragic hero compared to any other protagonist? How does it fit into the overall narrative of a literary work? Continue reading to uncover how the tragic hero is a pillar of good stories and how its legacy still provides emotional catharsis to this very day. Continue reading What is a Tragic Hero — Definition, Examples…
We've all seen a continuity error in a film or noticed a plot hole at some point. The fact that you don't see hundreds of them is because productions hire someone to pay attention to the details of a script. This person on set is known as the script supervisor. We'll go over what a script supervisor does, why they're so important, and also provide a free script supervisor template and forms.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Script Supervisors (FREE Script Supervisor Template)
Abbreviated DPR or just PR, the daily production report might be the most important documents a producer looks at every day.From video agencies to indie productions, having a up-to-date DPR is necessary for assessing progress, catching inefficiencies, and tracking each production daily expense. In our post, we cover the process with our free production report template and step-by-step guide. Daily Production Report Template - Tear Sheet - StudioBinderWhat is a daily production report?What is a daily production report?The Daily Production Report (often a two-sided page) is filled out by a member of the production, and contains key information about the shoot day.…
The best short films have a few key things in common: concise storytelling, great performances, an original concept, and stunning visuals. You can learn from each, but which are the best to watch?Continue reading The 49 Best Short Films of All Time That Every Filmmaker Can Learn From
If you want to write a script, and finish it, story outlines are helpful. Why? Because once you have waded even knee-deep into the writing, it's easy to lose sight of things. Even worse? Predators named fear and self-doubt will be stalking you.Continue reading How to Write a Story Outline that Works [FREE Script Outline Template]
We all know every story starts at the beginning, right? But what’s the thing that truly starts every story? The answer is the inciting incident. It’s a critical element to all narratives. This is true if you're writing a half-hour sitcom, an epic action movie, or a small rom-com set in your apartment.Continue reading 15 Best Inciting Incident Examples for Screenwriters and Directors
When you’re shooting a scene there are a lot of choices to be made about what’s in the audience’s focus. If you want them to see everything, then you need to use a deep focus shot. Today we’re going to go over the deep focus shot, deep space mise-en-scene, and see why these camera angles should definitely be part of your shot list.Continue reading Deep Focus Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles