Avant-garde cinema, a term synonymous with artistic rebellion and cinematic innovation, has challenged and redefined our understanding of film narrative and aesthetics. This cinematic art form bravely departs from the mainstream, offering unconventional narratives, styles, and techniques that push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking. In this post, we will dive into the history of the movement, some of the best examples, and how they function as high art. Continue reading What is Avant-Garde Cinema — History, Examples & Styles
Watch any film by David Lynch, and you’ll see that he has a singular style. The focus of his films varies — from chaotic romances to high school murders — but there are recurring themes and moods that the director evokes. Because of this, many critics and fans have begun using the term “Lynchian” to describe films or even real-life events that have that Lynch flavor. But what does Lynchian mean exactly? Let's rock!Continue reading What Does Lynchian Mean — David Lynch’s Cinematic Style
What is asynchronous sound? Unless you work in the audio field, then there’s a decent chance the term “asynchronous sound” is new to you. We’ll be breaking down the term, comparing and contrasting synchronous and asynchronous sound, exploring the creative application of asynchronous sound, and taking a look at examples of asynchronous sound in popular films.Continue reading What is Asynchronous Sound in Film — How to Use it Creatively
Most filmmakers have heard RED digital cinema cameras, but there have been so many changes to their lineup over the years that keeping track can be a bit daunting. This post will make things simple. We'll explain the RED video camera lineup in layman’s terms, and then provide a look back at RED cameras all so that you can find the best RED cinema camera for your filmmaking needs. Then we’ll show you custom RED cameras made for Michael Bay and David Fincher.Continue reading Which RED Camera to Buy? RED Digital Cinema Lineup Explained
What is a pilot episode? It is impossible to overstate just how vital a good pilot is within the television industry. In this post, we will explain what a pilot episode is, where it got that name, how a pilot gets made, and how it becomes a show. We will finish up by looking at a couple of examples of noteworthy pilots.Continue reading What is a Pilot Episode — Definition, Script Examples & History
The lap dissolve is one of the oldest editing transitions in cinema. Originally, the lap dissolve was achieved by overlapping the exposure of a single frame of film from shot to shot similarly to a double exposure in photography. Why exactly did filmmakers want to create this effect? How do they use the lap dissolve differently from scene to scene? In this article, we’ll take a look at one of filmmaking’s oldest editing tricks and make a case for why it’s still relevant today. Continue reading What is a Lap Dissolve — Film & Video Editing Techniques
As a writer, stream of consciousness may be fun to write but unenjoyable to read. Or for you, the reverse may be true. When talking about screenwriting, stream of consciousness may not be a method frequently used on the page but can be used and benefited from in the pre-writing process or even with visual elements on screen. This article will answer what is stream of consciousness writing by providing narrative examples and film examples, while also demonstrating another use of the method to help screenwriters (or any writer) connect to their best work. Continue reading What is Stream of Consciousness…
Sometimes, a hero is only as good as their villain. Whether they’re a charismatic villain that you love to hate or pure, unadulterated evil, these villains will stick in your mind for years to come. Be sure to check out our How to Write a Villain video essay below for a breakdown of three villainous archetypes. Without further ado, please join us in counting down the best movie villains of all time.Continue reading The Best Villains of All Time — 23 Vile and Vicious Evildoers
It was the book they said couldn’t be filmed. Many before him tried— to varying degrees of success— but the Denis Villeneuve Dune adaptation stands as the definitive cinematic telling of this intimidating science fiction story. So, how was Villeneuve able to succeed where others failed? We’ll start by taking a brief look at Villeneuve’s filmography, then we’ll compare and contrast his version of Dune to past attempts. Finally, we’ll explore how Villeneuve’s directing style changed for Dune.Continue reading Dune — Denis Villeneuve Directing Techniques Explained
What is an experimental film? This elusive and niche genre can be difficult to define, and there are many common misconceptions about experimental filmmaking, but we’ll be sorting through the fact and the fiction to provide a comprehensive overview of what it means for a film to be “experimental”. We’ll get started with a definition, then dig deeper into experimental filmmaking as a genre, and finally close things out by taking a look at some notable examples. Continue reading What is Experimental Film — History, Examples & Movements
