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
Are practical effects still useful in modern cinema? In the battle of practical vs CGI (computer-generated images), who wins? Practical effects have a rich history in cinema, influencing generations of filmmakers and movie goers alike. Oftentimes, practical effects movies can produce a more realistic look and feel than CGI. In the article, we analyze practical effects, the movies that use them and why they still have great importance in film.Continue reading Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real
Oh yes, we’ve come back to the ever-feared spec script; code-word for a script that isn't commissioned. Writers far and wide, famous and infamous, all work on spec scripts. But what is a spec script? And what does it look like? Fear not, we’re going to answer those questions by looking at some spec script examples. By the end, you’ll know how spec scripts are written and where to look for more advice on how to start your own.Continue reading Spec Script Examples — What Does a Spec Script Look Like?
A great story is often, if not always, synonymous with great characters. Crafting great characters is not an easy feat. So it’s no wonder that readers and writers alike gravitate toward the best characters in storytelling. Analyzing characters can be incredibly helpful for crafting your own characters or simply understanding your favorite story more deeply. In this article, we’ll dive into how to write a character analysis by asking the right questions, analyzing characterization, and retaining curiosity throughout the process.  Continue reading How to Write a Character Analysis — Tips and Techniques
The Last of Us is one of HBO’s most recent blockbuster television shows. Looking at a history of video game adaptations, the cards were stacked against the series, but it avoided all the pitfalls of previous takes on video games to become a resounding success. The secrets to the show’s quality can be found in The Last of Us behind the scenes– each element of the show was carefully considered and expertly executed.Continue reading The Making of The Last of Us — Writing, Visuals & FX Explained
Looking to storyboard your project? A great storyboard not only excites talent, crew, and clients, but also aligns your production departments behind the vision. We’ve compiled our top websites to help you find a talented storyboard artist for hire.Continue reading 7 Websites to Find a Storyboard Artist for Hire
When you think of cinema in the 1980s, a few cult films might come to mind like Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Sixteen Candles to name a few. But did you know that the same screenwriter wrote all of these iconic '80s films? His name is John Hughes and in this article we’ll be analyzing the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off script to learn some of the tricks of the trade from one of the most prolific screenwriters in cinema history. Continue reading Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Script PDF — Download & Analysis
Best Shyamalan MoviesShyamalan's Style ExplainedThe Return of M. Night Shyamalan Love him or hate him, the M. Night Shyamalan directing style is worth studying. He’s made every kind of movie: universally loved, universally loathed, and a few that will endlessly divide audiences. But before he became a punching bag on the internet, Shyamalan was making exciting and confident masterpieces. If he had never found such success, perhaps his fall from grace would have gone unnoticed. For this post, we’re going to focus on the techniques and strategies that Shyamalan did well. The internet might have irreparably damaged Shyamalan’s reputation but…
 Virtual production is a fast-growing technique in the film and television industry. It offers filmmakers new ways to create engaging content with greater flexibility and efficiency. But what is virtual production? It combines traditional filmmaking methods such as motion capture and facial recognition with digital visuals. And this groundbreaking technology opens up exciting possibilities for directors and producers looking to produce something completely unique. This blog will explore how it works, and the benefits that it offers to those creating content in today's landscape. Continue reading What is Virtual Production — Pros, Cons & Process Explained
