What is an antagonist? The simplest explanation is that an antagonist represents the opposite of the protagonist. But there’s much more to the term than that. They are the source of conflict in a story — and if you know anything about storytelling, you know that conflict is necessary. So, by understanding how antagonists are used in storytelling, we’re better equipped to handle story conflict in our own writing. In this post, we’ll cover all the different antagonistic forces a writer can choose from, how they work, and how to decide which one works best for your next story.Continue reading…
W hat were the best super bowl commercials this year? Not just the good ones, but the best ones. From the halftime show to shouting at your friend for not buying the right guacamole, the Super Bowl is an American tradition that brings in 112.3 million viewers this year. But in many cases, as recent polls  suggest, it’s the Super Bowl commercials that unite viewers around the screen of their choice. Continue reading The Best Super Bowl Commercials: What Creatives Can Learn
 A woman walks into your detective’s office. She might be wearing a hat or let her hair down. She lets her classy dress show off her legs as she sits down and lights a cigarette. She has an air of danger and mystery about her, so much so that, while you think you should stay away, you just can’t. She is a femme fatale, one of the most popular character types seen in 20th century fiction. But what is a femme fatale, exactly? We’ll be going over the history of this trope, how she came to be, and how…
Whether you’re filming features, live shows, or weddings, gimbals are one of the best ways to capture movement eloquently with that cinematic touch. This isn’t a review of one of our favorite gimbals the DJI Ronin-S, but we will give a very brief overview of the device. This post takes a look at the best Ronin-S footage so you can get inspired and see if maybe it’s right for your next project.Continue reading Watch the Best DJI Ronin-S Footage from Indie Filmmakers
 There will be moments in any good story where the main character is under duress. Where something is... wrong. How does a filmmaker convey this? With a Dutch angle. A Dutch angle is a classic cinematic technique to create unease inside the mind of the viewer. In this post, we’ll break down Dutch angles so that you can use them in your next project. Continue reading Dutch Angles: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
What does a screenplay look like? Screenwriting and traditional prose writing share many characteristics and commonalities, but it is best to think of them as entirely different disciplines of storytelling. We will examine what the average screenplay looks like, how different genres prioritize different elements, and we’ll take a look at specific screenplay examples worth reading and studying.Continue reading Screenplay Example — Script Formatting & Elements Explained
What is an anti hero? We’ve all heard that characters like Walter White and Thomas Shelby are anti heroes, but we don’t hear why. Perhaps the better question is: what are the anti hero characteristics define them? We’re going to explore that question by looking at some anti hero examples from literature, film, and television. But before we jump into our anti hero definition, let’s review the history of the term.Continue reading What is an Anti Hero — Definition, Examples in Film & Literature
Now you can plan out your shots and share them with your team more efficiently in StudioBinder. Easily upload images to your shot list, daisy chain shot details, and customize your workflow.But we're just scratching the surface.Let's dive into the details.1. Incredibly fast and powerfulWe've made it easy and fast to select shot details quickly. Just select from an extensive list of shot sizes, shot types, camera movements and equipment to plan your shots in no time.Use hotkeys to add, edit or duplicate new shots super fast. Work scene-by-scene from your stripboard for a seamless experience.2. Customize to make it…
 Many stock characters have been established in fiction for centuries, from the heroes to the villains to the side characters. Among those that have managed to continue having a presence is the "damsel in distress." The name gives you the basic gist of a woman in peril. But there’s a lot more to this stock character, its cultural implications, and how the character type has been received over time. So, what is a damsel in distress, how has the damsel in distress archetype been used, what are some damsel in distress movies, and how has a changing society commented…
When it comes to creative projects, a mood board is essential. It's a visual way to collect and organize your ideas, inspiration, and thoughts on a project. But what exactly is a mood board? And how do you create one? We've got the answers, and a selection of ready-made moodboard templates. Read on for everything you need to know about how to make a mood board plus some tips and tricks for creating your own.Continue reading How to Make a Mood Board — A Step-by-Step Guide
