A simple sentence is a fundamental tool of language. Don’t believe me? Each sentence I’ve used so far is a simple sentence. But what is a simple sentence? This doesn’t mean a sentence that isn’t complicated. There are many types of simple sentences and the structure has specific qualities which make it simple. Let’s take a look at what a simple sentence is, what it looks like, and how it’s used. Continue reading What is a Simple Sentence Structure — Examples and Tips for Writers
All too often, the term “static character” carries a negative connotation. Some think this implies that a character is boring, overly simple, or even poorly written. However, the complete opposite can be true. Some of cinema’s most memorable characters are also static characters such as The Dude from The Big Lebowski, Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men, and Captain America from the MCU. What is a static character and why are they important? In this article, we’ll define static character as well as how they are different from other types of characters and how they function within a story. Continue…
Best Tarantino MoviesQT's Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown How do you learn filmmaking techniques from a director like Quentin Tarantino? You can watch his films, and learn his filmmaking process with quotes from Quentin Tarantino interviews. We also built a video with directing tips and examples from Quentin Tarantino films. Become a better filmmaker by learning from the best.Continue reading Quentin Tarantino Interviews, Directing Tips & Quotes on Film
Dolby Atmos is a buzzword in the movie industry – but what is Dolby Atmos? Worry not, because today, we’re going to answer that question. We’re also going to show you how Dolby Atmos is used in televisions, soundbars, and cinemas. By the end, you’ll know what Dolby Atmos is, and where to look for Dolby Atmos content.Continue reading What is Dolby Atmos — A Leap Forward in Exhibition Sound
iMovie has become a game changer for amatuer filmmakers on a budget. But just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t use some visual effects in your work. Using a green screen can open up new doors for stories you want to tell. So in this article, we’ll take a look at each step on how to use a green screen in iMovie.Continue reading How to Use a Green Screen in iMovie — 4 Quick and Easy Steps
Historically, sound effects were used as comic relief or to signify an action happening off-screen. But as cinematography has evolved, so too has sound design. Sound design has become a powerful tool and if you’re a filmmaker looking to increase the production value of your projects, these sound effect techniques can help get you there. This article will break down popular uses of sound effects and where you can find these film sound effects for your next project.Continue reading Movie Sound — A Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Effect Techniques
How do you create a compelling character in the editing room? The choices an editor makes greatly impact how audiences receive a character. In moments of change or distress, we want the audience to actively engage with the thoughts and emotions that motivate our character’s decisions. By understanding their characters, editors can employ editing techniques to create a consistent visual language signifying moments of character development. This is called character-driven editing. In this post, we will be breaking down character-driven editing in The Godfather restaurant scene so that you can implement these techniques in your next project.Continue reading The Godfather…
While we may be familiar with soft focus shots as images with intentional blur or glamour shots in portraits, understanding this effect in such a limiting way...well, limits us! The shots that are possible when you master soft focus are endless, and they can be done whether you have high-tech equipment, or not. So what is soft focus photography, and how can you use the technique to create unique shots. Let’s check it out.Continue reading Soft Focus Photography & How to Master that Soft Focus Look
There are many elements that go into creating the optimal lighting setup for a shot. The positioning of lights, the type of lights you use, and the quality of light you create. One of the best tools cinematographers have to adjust the quality of a light is bounce light. Bounce light is used from DIY short film sets to high budget Hollywood films. In this article, we’ll analyze why cinematographers may opt for bounce and diffused light and lay down a few tips you can use it in your next project.Continue reading How to Bounce Light — Photography & Film Techniques
The goal of a great screenplay is to tell a great story in a cinematic way through the page. A key aspect of this is writing character cues. Without the visual ability of seeing which character is talking in dialogue scenes, character cues allow readers to clearly follow the flow of dialogue. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to write a character cue in a screenplay. Continue reading How to Write a Character Cue in a Screenplay
