Screenwriters have a tendency of defining the three act structure by either vehemently opposing it or swearing by it. Some define it entirely differently than others. How is that possible? Well, let’s answer ‘what is the three act structure,' learn its original intention, and see if we can find some middle ground between the many perspectives.Continue reading What is The Three Act Structure — And Why It Works
A screenplay is an entirely different beast than a novel, essay, or poem. Instead of a finished work of art, a screenplay is a blueprint for a final product — and yet it still requires artistry. The modern screenplay has strict formatting requirements and conventions. Before you become the next great screenwriter, you need to know the rules of the medium, where they come from, what forms they take, and how they’re used. In this ultimate guide, we'll cover the history of screenplays, their elements, and their types. Let's jump in.Continue reading What is a Screenplay — The Ultimate Guide…
Indie filmmakers on YouTube hand out their expertise like candy. It’s cheaper than film school, and it’s awesome. But the number of channels that exist can feel daunting. So we’ve sifted through a ton and come up with a list of the best filmmaking YouTube channels by category, to better fit your interest. Let’s dive in.1. Film RiotWith almost 1.5 million subscribers, Film Riot is the leading resource for directors at any level. The comedic tone combined with invaluable information makes this a go-to.Visual storytelling by Film Riot2. StudioBinderHow could we not put StudioBinder on the list? I can’t help but be…
Werewolves predate almost every other fictional monster. So, why aren't werewolf films very popular? Perhaps it comes down to a practical issue. The make-up is labor intensive. The transformation sequence might take longer to shoot than the rest of the film. The most important criteria for judging werewolf movies is the creature effects. The werewolf transformation scene is the hallmark for any film in the category and these films live or die on their success. Let's look back at the best werewolf movies and see how they turn men (and women) into monsters... Continue reading 20 Best Werewolf Movies to…
From the 1930s to the modern era, zombie movies have terrified audiences. They’ve also occupied a unique position in the horror genre in that they can serve as sociopolitical allegories. But of course, there are some zombie movies that exist solely to make you laugh.For this list, we’re ranking the 30 best zombie movies of all time. This is a list for every horror filmmaker looking to hone their craft as there are bound to be some films on this list you need to check out both for your entertainment and your studies. We’ve even thrown in a mood board…
Time going by in film is an amazing opportunity for writers of all levels to put their creativity to the test. Some films opt for simple titles, while others write the passing of time into the very structure of the screenplay. But what is the best way to write the passage of time in your script? Continue reading How to Write the Passage of Time in Your Screenplay
Understanding how to introduce characters in a screenplay takes more than properly formatting character descriptions. You want to consider when, where, and how each decision will play out in the mind of the reader and then how it will translate onscreen. We’ll explian screenwriting character introductions so that you can build rich character descriptions that set a tone for your script. Lezgo. Continue reading How to Introduce Characters in a Screenplay: Character Descriptions Tips
You’ve probably heard the term ‘film noir’ hundreds of times. You may associate it with detectives and femme fatales running around in black and white. But what is film noir, really? Well, it turns out it’s not so clear cut, but there are some elements of the style that are fairly obvious. Let’s get into it. Continue reading What is Film Noir? A Brief History with Examples from Cinema
Pre-Production can be overwhelming even for the seasoned producer. It requires knowledge of many facets of production, as well as an ability to prevent potential crises down the line. It’s not always easy but if you stay organized, it's pretty simple. So what is Pre-Production in film? When does it start and when does it end? This post will answer those questions and will give a quick rundown.Continue reading What is Pre-Production in Film — A Blueprint for Success
Nobody likes doing paperwork, but sometimes it’s just part of your job. On a film shoot, production reports are how the production office communicates with each department, and vice-versa. Fortunately, StudioBinder makes creating reports easy so you have more time to rest and recharge before the next shooting day. Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to Production Reports
