It is impossible to overstate how important a role audio plays in the film viewing experience. While it’s perfectly natural to be drawn to the visual side of filmmaking, those striking visuals don’t hold the same weight without strong cinematic sound design to back them up. Whereas a painting is purely visual and a song can be purely aural, cinema combines sight and sound for a unified experience where one bolsters and elevates the other. Read on to learn about the role of the sound designer and other sound design jobs, the fundamentals of sound design, and to check out some…
Cinematographers and filmmakers have depended on camera support mechanisms since the beginning of cinema. With tripods, dollies, and cranes, the mechanisms to support a camera have evolved. One method, however, relies on none of these mechanisms and has only grown more relevant with time. The handheld shot. It's important to understand how filmmakers have utilized the handheld shot to achieve more than just a stylized look, but rather a psychological effect. Before we answer the why and how let’s first address the what. What is handheld camera movement?Continue reading The Handheld Shot in Film — Definition and Examples
The Big Lebowski script is one of the most quoted screenplays ever to be produced. Lottas ins, lotta outs. It also created some of the most beloved movie characters ever to be crafted.Continue reading The Big Lebowski Script: Characters, Quotes, and Screenplay Download
Film adaptation has given rise to some of the most extraordinary works in the history of cinema. From The Godfather to Little Women to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, adaptations have been making their mark on movie-goers for decades. But what exactly is a film adaptation and how does it differ from its literary source? Why do filmmakers love the adaptation so much? Continue reading What is a Film Adaptation — From Story into Cinema
Inserts are used to highlight specific elements of scenes. But how do you write an insert? Don’t worry, we’re going to show you how to write an insert in a screenplay. We’re also going to show you when it’s appropriate. By the end, you’ll know how, when, and why you should write inserts in screenplays. Continue reading How to Write an Insert in a Screenplay — Tips & Examples
The year 2018 proved to be yet another evolutionary year for Netflix Original movies. From reviving the romantic comedy to uplifting the auteur filmmaker to terrifying horror flicks, Netflix is checking all the boxes. In addition to leveling up the quality of their films, Netflix is producing more films than previous year. With all these choices of what to watch, we;ve created a list of the 10 best Netflix Original movies of 2018. Continue reading Best Netflix Original Movies of 2018, Ranked for Filmmakers
What’s black and white and red all over? It could be a newspaper — or it could be a neo-noir film.It's hard to tell. Neo-noir is notoriously difficult to classify. An offshoot of the historical film noir genre, it's painted in such broad strokes that it can subvert, parody, heighten, or reimagine the prototypical stories of its predecessor and still be considered "neo-noir."Many of the greats have made their bones in the genre, even if their movies don't appear the same at surface level.So — how can you tell? We’ve put together a list of the best neo-noir movies to…
20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 2013 was an idiosyncratic year at movie theaters. Yes, you had hopeful tales of love, but many films dealt with the economic downturn still reverberating throughout the country from the Great Recession. You saw more characters struggling to make ends meet, and economic anxiety was still a prevalent theme during this year. It’s a trend that would continue throughout the rest of the decade as more filmmakers tried to capture this new American reality.This next list is part of an ongoing series to rank the best films of the 2010s. What do you think the best movies of 2013…
20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 2010 was an interesting time in the film industry. Franchises like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings were dormant for the time being. “Cinematic universe” had yet to become a Hollywood buzzword. It was a great year for independent filmmaking, which makes for ranking the best movies of 2010 an interesting endeavor.We’ve had plenty of time to let these films gestate. Sometimes it’s better to wait before ranking films to see how they fully impact the zeitgeist and to see how some films age better than others. This list is the first part of an exciting series…
Filmmaker Joel Coen has said, “If the material is challenging, it forces you to challenge yourself when handling it.” For the past 30 years Joel, along with his brother Ethan, have created films that tackle the most comical and confounding aspects of human nature. Continue reading Top Screenwriting Tips and Strategies From the Coen Brothers
