It’s hard to overstate the importance of Star Wars. George Lucas’s crowning achievement marked the twilight of New Hollywood and the dawn of the blockbuster era of the 1980s. Any big-budget science fiction release since has operated under the shadow of Star Wars’ towering influence. There were many reasons for the success of Star Wars, but undeniably what set it apart from the rest of the competition was its special effects. Audiences in 1977 had never experienced anything like it. How did George Lucas and his team pull off what was thought to be impossible? How did they stretch their…
Lighting is one of the most crucial aspects of cinematography. There are literally infinite ways to light a scene, and each one has the potential to drastically change how people view the subject. When you want a dramatic effect that makes the subject’s face interesting, you want what’s known as Rembrandt lighting.A Rembrandt lighting setup is common in the field of photography. It’s a great way to draw a viewer’s attention to a precise area of the photograph. However, cinematographers have much they can learn from this technique. Let’s look at this technique and how it can help you attain…
Narrative essays can present a serious challenge for even the most seasoned of writers, but fear not, we’ve compiled some great narrative essay topics to inspire your next paper! Follow along as we explore prompts relating to life, school, and more. By the end, you’ll be prepared to tackle narrative essays from a variety of different angles.Continue reading Narrative Essay Topics — Prompts & Ideas For All Grade Levels
One of the most overlooked, but incredibly important talent roles is that of the bit part. Many are familiar with the role of the extra and the role of a lead actor. But a bit part falls somewhere in between. They do not entirely steal the show, but they do not fall into the background. What is a bit part? And how has the role of a bit part allowed some cinema’s most iconic actors to breakthrough? Let’s take a look at the bit part. Continue reading What is a Bit Part in Film — Small Parts, Big Impressions
Darius Khondji is everywhere. The esteemed cinematographer’s list of collaborators is as long as it is impressive; he’s worked with directors like Wong Kar-Wai, James Gray, David Fincher, the Safdie Brothers, Michael Haneke, Alejandro Iñárritu, and more. As you may be able to tell from such a list, Khondji is chameleonic, tailoring his aesthetic to whichever director he’s working with. Unlike other cinematographers, it can be difficult to discern when you’re watching a Khondji film. With that said, Khondji is not just a journeyman director of photography — he brings several cinematic qualities with him from film to film. In…
Overhead shots are used all the time, sometimes for practical reasons, while other times for an emotional effect. The trick is to make sure they don’t disorient the viewer and come out of nowhere. We’re going to discuss the overhead shot and go over which emotions are generated when you use a bird's eye view, and show you overhead shot examples that enhance the scene in a positive way.Continue reading The Overhead Shot — Creative Examples of Camera Angles
Poetry, like any art form, combines creativity and technique to produce realized concepts within a certain medium. One of the techniques used to achieve a poet’s ideas is the use of stanzas. Stanzas are both a functional and creative tool that influences a poem and how it is read. What is a stanza in a poem used for? In this article, we’ll take a look at the stanza definition and how they are used to influence a poem. We’ll also look at the different forms that poet’s have at their disposal.Continue reading What is a Stanza in a Poem —…
What is an acrostic poem? What sets an acrostic poem apart from other types of poetry and how is an acrostic poem written? In this post, we will be answering all of the questions and taking a look at a few examples of acrostic poems. Let’s get started with a definition of acrostic poetry.Continue reading What is an Acrostic Poem — Examples and Writing Tips
Most art is made to be seen and experienced multiple times, sometimes at the pace of the viewer or appreciator. This means that, for most art, you can go somewhere and take it in for as long as you want. Performance art is not most art: it is something of the moment, something you can’t take with you, something that, at most, can be photographed and sometimes filmed. It exists as an often controversial form of art that, while avant garde in spirit, managed to reach the circles of fine art in its heyday. So what is performance art, what…
Making a feature-length movie is no easy feat, but with the right preparation and dedication, anyone can do it. Learning how to direct a movie can be an intimidating process, so this blog post will give you the tips and tricks you need to produce a professional quality project. Discover what resources are available to help you build your dream movie from pre-production all the way through to festival submissions and marketing.Continue reading How to Make Your First Feature Film — Tips for First Time Directors
