Dialogue scenes can be great, but they can easily fall short if they solely focus on the character doing the talking. Reaction shots have the ability to elevate a dialogue scene in a completely nonverbal way. Sometimes the physical reactions of a character can say a whole lot more than words. Let’s find out how.Continue… Continue reading The Reaction Shot — Much More Than Essential Film Grammar
What is screen direction in film? Why is it important? And how can it be used creatively? We’ll be answering all of these questions and providing you with everything you need to know about screen direction. We’ll get started with a comprehensive definition, then drill down deeper into the various techniques and applications associated with… Continue reading What is Screen Direction in Film — How to Preserve Continuity
Film is primarily a visual medium. Filmmakers have various tools to create meaning through visual elements, one of which is the visual metaphor. Visual metaphors are often subtle, but are incredibly important for filmmakers in communicating and resonating with an audience. What is a visual metaphor? How and why do filmmakers use them? We’ll break… Continue reading What is a Visual Metaphor — Definition & Examples in Art & Film
How would it feel to watch your perfect scene play out on the big screen? You’re one step closer, because you’re about to learn one of the most important methods to help your scene achieve a big, cinematic look. The complex master shot. By following five key steps, you’ll gain more control over the viewer’s attention,… Continue reading The Master Shot — 5 Steps to Planning and Shooting a Complex Master
Mise en scène. It’s a fancy looking phrase that you’ve seen floating around many film-related articles, carrying with it an immediate sense of snobbery. Don’t worry, you’re not the first person to ask “what is mise en scene?” After today, you’ll have a better sense of this concept and its fundamentals so you can apply… Continue reading What is Mise en Scène in Film: Definition and Examples
As you may have experienced, securing the perfect film location isn’t always easy, and it’s rarely affordable. However, great filmmaking is not just about location, it’s also about how you set the scene. The impact a setting can have on the scene it supports is monumental. Let’s take a look at how Oscar winning films… Continue reading How These Oscar Winning Films Use Doors To Tell Better Stories
The first shot in a film may not be the flashiest, but it’s packed full of vital information for viewers. In this post, we’re going to explore some powerful opening shots in cinema, and how to create them in your own films.Continue reading How to Create Powerful Opening Shots — It’s Easier Than You Think
Catherine Hardwicke is a director best known for her work on Lords of Dogtown, Miss Bala, and Twilight. In a joint project with Co//ab, StudioBinder recently sat down with the talented director about her work on Twilight and how she was able to bring emotion to the climactic final battle. A lot of directorial decisions… Continue reading In the Frame with Catherine Hardwicke — Twilight
Thor’s hammer. A volleyball named Wilson. One ring to rule them all. What do each of these things have in common? You’re probably thinking that they’re all movie props, and that’s true, but that’s not what makes them distinguished. When used properly (no pun intended), props become synonymous with the stories they tell. So, filmmakers,… Continue reading 6 Ways To Turn Movie Props Into Iconic Symbols
Some directors are very particular about their fake blood (*cough* David Fincher). Others just want something that looks realistic enough without staining the set and wardrobes.Continue reading The Best DIY Fake Blood Recipe [with FREE Blood Spectrum]
Location, location, location. We all know how critical scouting is to your production, why picking the right filming locations can make or break your movie. But have you ever considered just how significant it can be to your story? Some settings matter so much to the plot, they take on a life of their own… Continue reading Filming Locations that Enhance Your Story
An unproduced feature script has a .3 percent chance of being made in Hollywood. Short film ideas, on the other hand, can be made for significantly less money, increasing their chances of being produced.Continue reading 30 Ways to Brainstorm Short Film Ideas You Can Actually Produce
Car chase scenes are some of the purest expressions of entertainment in cinema. We all have our favorites, but some are better than others at keeping you on the edge of your seat. In this post, we’re going to discuss some of the best car chase scenes in films made since the turn of the millennium.… Continue reading 10 Best Car Chase Scenes in Modern Movies that Inspire
So you want to make a movie? Delivering a film is a LONG, involved process. Going through development, pre-production, production, post, and the festival circuit to eventual release? It can be daunting.If you still want to make a movie, this is the post for you. I’ll show you how to make a movie from end… Continue reading Video Production Process Explained: How to Make a Movie in 5 Phases
In the world of film and television, filmmakers use child actors for their special brand of talent and, yes, cuteness. But working with children isn’t a walk in the park. There are responsibilities and rules for working with moppets, especially in Hollywood.Continue reading The Hollywood Trenches: 10 Rules for Working With Child Actors
Learning how to make a documentary is no easy task. To engage in documentary filmmaking you must brave the unknown, and capture a story that unfolds in its own unpredictable way. Continue reading Documentary Filmmaking: How to Make a Documentary in 5 Steps
In the age of YouTube, songs are meant to be seen, but producing a music video takes different skills and a different approach altogether. Continue reading How to Shoot a Music Video [FREE Music Video Script Template]
Is the hero going to clear the chasm? Will evil triumph over good? Do I have enough popcorn? Great action sequences glue us to our seats. Containing many memorable action scenes, Kingsman: The Secret Service functions as a James Bond parody, putting spin on classic action sequences that easily could have been trite.Continue reading How… Continue reading How to Write and Shoot Action Scenes Like Kingsman
I love Mission: Impossible. You love Mission: Impossible. But learning how to shot list and film a fight scene like Mission Impossible can be incredibly difficult. But’s not…impossible. Okay, stay with me. Today we’re going to go over how to create a shot list for your action movie and dissect a clip from Mission: Impossible… Continue reading How to Shoot Dynamic Fight Scenes
