There are many elements that go into creating a cinematic shot. The key light is important to expose the image. The fill light can determine the visual tone of a shot. But all too overlooked is the backlight. Back lighting can be the determining factor between a flat image and an interesting shot full of depth. What is backlight photography and how is it achieved? Let’s find out.Continue reading What is Backlight Photography — Lighting Techniques Explained
When a director has a formidable visual style, you need an equally formidable cinematographer. Perhaps that’s why Denis Villeneuve and Roger Deakins have had such a fruitful collaboration. In this post, we’re going to look at their work in Sicario and how elements like lighting and composition were used to support the themes at play. Watch the video below as the two filmmakers discuss their collaboration before we expand what makes the Sicario cinematography so noteworthy.Continue reading Sicario Cinematography Explained — Lighting & Composition
Blade Runner 2049 breathed new life into Ridley Scott’s world of replicants and blade runners due to its great performances, steady direction, and bold cinematography. But all of the visual splendor that we see in the final cut, was once just words on a page. The Blade Runner 2049 script set the stage for a sequel that was even better than the original. We’re going to explore why the script is so good by looking at its structure, fight scenes and ending. But before we get into our analysis, download a Blade Runner 2049 script PDF below and read along!Continue…
In 2018, Roger Deakins finally won his first Oscar for Best Cinematography for Blade Runner 2049. And the world was not one bit shocked. As one of the most well respected cinematographers in the business, Deakins seems unable to make a less than beautiful film. So we decided to take a look at the tricks and techniques Deakins uses to make average scenes visually stunning. One trick he uses is utilizing water reflections and patterns. In this article, we’ll take a look at how Deakins achieved this water light reflection effect in Blade Runner 2049. We’ll also break down how you…
The Academy Award for best cinematography is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed each year at the Oscars. The best cinematography Oscar has been around since the inception of the award ceremony but it underwent a great deal of experimentation and evolution in the early years.Continue reading Academy Award for Best Cinematography — Top 20 Winners
Cinematography and photography is naturally a 2 dimensional medium. Images appear on a 2 dimensional screen or print. However, great cinematographers and photographers utilize light to create 3 dimensional effects. One of the tools they have to do this is the rim light. A rim light can keep an image from falling flat. Rim lighting can bring out shapes, textures, and contours that make an image appear more lively. So what is rim light and how can you use it to create beautiful images? We’ll cover all of this and more in this article. Continue reading What is a Rim…
1917 was one of the most technically innovative and daring films ever made... but how was 1917 filmed? The production of 1917 utilized more than 500 extras in an effort to retain as much authenticity as possible – and it called for body exhuming, bird conservation, and stringent cloud coverage. We’re going to explore how 1917 was filmed by looking at a bunch of the production hurdles it overcame. By the end, you might have a newfound appreciation for director Sam Mendes, cinematographer Roger Deakins, the 1917 cast and all the other members of the production team who worked tirelessly…
Audiences and filmmakers alike love sequels. And we all love to rank and debate which are the “greatest.” But deciding which films belong on a “best movie sequels of all time” list can feel overwhelming. How does one choose from every film ever made? And how to rank one above the other? While such a list is by definition subjective, it doesn’t have to be arbitrary. One way of more rigorously determining if a movie is the best in a certain category is by ranking it according to aggregated scores across categories. To determine the best sequels of all time…
When it was announced that 1917 would be shot to look like a single take, it quickly became one of the most anticipated movies of the year. While the performances and screenplay were both incredible, many left the theatre wondering the same thing. How was 1917 filmed? While there is no single answer to this question, there are various factors that contributed to the immersive 1917 one shot cinematography. Without further adieu, let’s dive into how they pulled this off.Continue reading 1917 One Shot Explained — How Roger Deakins Shot a “Oner” Film
The Western is the quintessential American film genre. From the 1930s to the 1960s, American cinemas were filled with cowboys saving towns and fending off outlaws. While the classic Western may have gone out of fashion, it didn’t disappear completely. Instead, it morphed into what we know as the Neo Western. Let’s see what separates movies like No Country for Old Men from classic Westerns as well as rank the best modern Western movies for you to watch next. Continue reading The Best Modern Western Movies of All Time — Neo-Westerns Ranked
