In the realm of cinema, time is an illusion. Filmmakers have the power to stretch a fleeting moment into a dramatic sequence that lasts minutes, allowing audiences to absorb every intricate detail. This magical time manipulation is none other than slow motion. From explosive action sequences to heart-rending emotional scenes, slow motion has added a new dimension to cinematic storytelling. In this article, we will explore the world of slow motion, its definition, the science behind it, and its transformative impact on the art of filmmaking.Continue reading What is Slow Motion — Manipulating Time in Film Explained
If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed.” Famed director Stanley Kubrick said these words. Over his long career, Kubrick developed many trademark camera and directing techniques to take things from his mind to the screen. From The Shining to Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick’s films were known for their fascinating visual language, which included iconic shots and visually precise camera movements. One of Kubrick’s most well-known techniques is known as the “Kubrick Stare.” The Stanley Kubrick Stare appears often throughout his filmography, and is still imitated and widely used by artists in film today. What is The…
Shooting documentaries can be incredibly spontaneous. However, this does not mean that they do not require preparation to shoot. Creating a storyboard for a documentary is a great idea for various reasons. The process of storyboarding can help you curate the visual tone, style, and story of your documentary. In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons why storyboarding a documentary is a good idea and how to create a documentary storyboard for your project. Continue reading How to Create a Documentary Storyboard — Free Template
Irony is everywhere, both in art and in real life. Ironically, this can make it all the harder to spot. As one of the most misunderstood rhetorical devices, irony can remain elusive for even the most skilled artists and hawk-eyed audience members. In this article, we’ll lay out some of the best irony examples and explain what makes them work, and what makes them ironic.Continue reading Irony Examples — 3 Forms of Irony in Literature and Film
There wouldn’t be film without film lighting. Lighting is as crucial to cinematic storytelling as a script and a subject, and filmmakers have experimented with different lumination techniques for as long as the medium has existed. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about lighting for film, from terminology to techniques. Ready to dive into over a hundred years worth of lighting knowledge?Continue reading Film Lighting — The Ultimate Guide (w/ Video & Cheatsheet)
Screenplay transitions in cinema have been used ever since filmmakers had the ability to edit. At first, what was a simple cue to an editor of when to cut to another shot or scene has become another tool for a filmmaker to creatively tell a story. Fades, wipes, and match cuts are a few examples of how the transition has evolved to more creative uses. It is important for any screenwriter to understand the format and use of transitions in a screenplay to make them a more well-rounded writer. Let’s dive into how to write transitions in a script and…
Making a short film can seem like an indomitable task. Most writers and directors struggle to get their productions off the ground, often because they lack the resources to get started. No need to worry though, we’re going to show you step-by-step how to make a short film with video guides and all the software you’ll need. Make sure to reference this guide as you’re going through your production to check off all of the steps.Continue reading How to Make a Short Film — 12 Steps from Idea to Finished Film
There’s no doubt about it: Stanley Kubrick is one of the greatest filmmaking pioneers of all time. Stanley Kubrick was, in many ways, a perfectionist. As such, his filmography isn’t as expansive as those of his contemporaries. But for what Kubrick lacked in quantity he made up for in quality: Each film he directed was a product of detailed planning and masterful execution. Here, we’re going to rank the best Stanley Kubrick films based on these four criteria: acting, filmmaking, and story.Continue reading Best Stanley Kubrick Movies — 13 Masterpieces Ranked (and Video Essay)
You’re looking for a movie genre list, maybe for inspiration, but every list you find has too broad or hyper-specific categories that it becomes overwhelming. We’ve created the perfect movie and TV genre list that will explain the various categories of film and television with their specific subgenres, and we’ll also include helpful examples for each along the way.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Movie Genres — 90+ Genre Examples for Film & TV
The benefits of using a wide angle camera lens can be found in the work of some of the best filmmakers from Steven Spielberg to Roman Polanski to Stanley Kubrick. What is a wide angle lens used for? The answer to that varies. Wide angle lenses can create visual and psychological effects depending on how they are used. Understanding these different effects is a great way for any filmmaker to learn how to make a scene more immersive. Before we dive into when to use a wide angle lens in film, you may be wondering “What is a wide angle…
