Citizen Kane

• Movies

Best New Movies on Netflix, Filmmaker Playlist (January 2021)

Every month, dozens of movies arrive on Netflix, but it can be a hassle keeping track of all the great content that comes and goes. Don’t fret though, we’re going to break down the best new movies on Netflix each month to help you decide on what to watch. These are the best of what’s… Continue reading Best New Movies on Netflix, Filmmaker Playlist (January 2021)

Chris Heckmann January 10, 2021

• Directing
• Movies

The Best 2020 Movies — Bright Lights in a Dark Year

2020 was a very strange year for movies. Most theaters in the United States have been closed since March in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing studios to push most of its offerings into 2021 at the earliest. While it may seem like a bare year for cinephiles, there was still plenty to enjoy. If… Continue reading The Best 2020 Movies — Bright Lights in a Dark Year

Mike Bedard December 1, 2020

• Directing

55 Best Movie Directors of All Time and Their Greatest Films

The best movie directors of all time — the idea of such a list sparks immediate debate. Rather than try to impose any sort of definitive or objective best directors list, consider this more of a celebration of the entire medium. Woefully underrepresented on this list are women. While women have been an integral part… Continue reading 55 Best Movie Directors of All Time and Their Greatest Films

Brent Dunham November 8, 2020

• Directing

Best Orson Welles Movies — His 13 Directed Films Ranked

Orson Welles used to say “they’ll love me when I’m dead” — well at least that’s what his protege Peter Bogdanovich said. I suppose in some sense that perspective was well-warranted. Although Welles received a lot of acclaim during his life, particularly for writing, directing, and starring in Citizen Kane, he never got the respect… Continue reading Best Orson Welles Movies — His 13 Directed Films Ranked

Chris Heckmann October 11, 2020

• Scriptwriting

What is a Flashback? Definition and Examples in Literature and Film

Flashback is a term that we hear nearly every day in life — but what is a flashback in writing? A flashback is sometimes used to give context to the past, but there’s a lot more to the technique than that. We’re going to break down flashbacks by looking at how they’re used by writers,… Continue reading What is a Flashback? Definition and Examples in Literature and Film

Chris Heckmann August 23, 2020

• Editing Techniques
• Post-Production

Match Cuts & Creative Transitions with Examples – Editing Techniques

Everyone loves to see a great scene transition, but how do you connect scenes on a deeper level? Consider using a match cut. Using similar colors, shapes, actions or even dialogue, match cuts add that extra level of meaning to create a more cohesive and seamless narrative. In today’s post, we’re going to break down… Continue reading Match Cuts & Creative Transitions with Examples – Editing Techniques

Brent Dunham August 10, 2020

• Directing
• Music & Sound Effects
• Post-Production

23 Best Movie Scores of All Time — Filmmaker Playlist

What makes a great music score? Does it need to dominate the soundtrack or can go unnoticed in the background? Should a contemporary movie always use modern music or is it blasphemy for a period piece to include pop songs? Whether you have answers to these questions or not, there’s no denying the power of… Continue reading 23 Best Movie Scores of All Time — Filmmaker Playlist

Theo Friedman August 10, 2020

• Cinematography
• Directing

Ultimate Guide to Camera Focus: Understanding Depth of Field

Dof basicsShallow dofDeep dofDOF GuideTYPES OF CAMERA FOCUS Shot List SeriesShot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses Camera focus is more than just making sure your image is sharp and detailed. When you consider the storytelling value of shallow focus or how a rack focus can guide the eye, a whole new world opens… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Camera Focus: Understanding Depth of Field

Brent Dunham July 27, 2020

• Scriptwriting

What is an Allusion? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters

Storytellers have been using literary allusion for thousands of years – Sophocles, for example, used Greek mythological allusion in Antigone way back in 441 BC. But while the device is a crucial element of literature and drama, it’s not always easy to recognize types of allusion or understand how they are used. Exactly what is… Continue reading What is an Allusion? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters

Michael Bodhi Green June 14, 2020

• Scriptwriting

Ratatouille Script PDF Download: Plot, Characters, and Ending

Only nine animated films have ever been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay; Ratatouille is one of them. There’s so much that we can learn from the Ratatouille script from plot to characters to its satisfying ending. So, cook up your best dish, download a PDF copy, and follow along as we… Continue reading Ratatouille Script PDF Download: Plot, Characters, and Ending

Chris Heckmann May 31, 2020

• Cinematography
• Directing
• Post-Production
• Producing
• Production
• Scriptwriting

Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology

Browse Terms  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology

StudioBinder May 3, 2020

• Scriptwriting

Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey: A Better Screenplay in 17 Steps

O dds are that if you’ve had any interest in writing a script within the past fifty years you’ve heard of the Hero’s Journey. A writer you got drinks with swore by it, a film professor suggested you read about it. Or you overheard the barista at your local coffee shop talking about how Die Hard is… Continue reading Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey: A Better Screenplay in 17 Steps

Matt Rickett April 19, 2020