Art is inherently referential; everyone is influenced by something that came before. Great (and not-so-great) artists all get inspiration from somewhere and will sometimes show it in their works. If an artist makes a reference to something in their own work, that is often seen as an homage. But what is homage? Is it anything… Continue reading What is Homage — Definition & Examples in Art and Film
Suspension of disbelief gives artists the liberty to create worlds in a realm separate from reality. But what is suspension of disbelief? Where did suspension of disbelief originate? And why is suspension of disbelief important to artists and connoisseurs of art? We’re going to answer those questions by defining suspension of disbelief and by looking… Continue reading What is Suspension of Disbelief — How It Works in Storytelling
If you’re a fan of modern Indian cinema, you’ve heard of S. S. Rajamouli. The Telugu director is arguably the most famous filmmaker in India, with three of his films being in the top five highest grossing films in the country. He is a master of spectacle, delivering massive epics packed with action, romance, comedy,… Continue reading S.S. Rajamouli Movies — The Entire Filmography Ranked
Anyone who has ever worked on a film production has probably heard the term “pickup shot” thrown around. Sometimes it is said with an underlying dread and sometimes it is said with urgency. What is a pickup shot and what are some of the primary reasons they are used and so where should they be… Continue reading What Are Pick Up Shots in Film — Definition & How They Work
Die Hard is a classic action (Christmas?) movie for a good reason. It’s gritty, it’s full of badassery, and it’s simply a blast to watch. And while Die Hard is definitely a great movie, plenty of other films accomplish the high-octane fun, action, and story of the film. Here is our list of the best… Continue reading Best Movies Like Die Hard — 12 Action Classics Just as Fun to Watch
James Cameron’s Avatar was successful by almost any metric. It became the highest-grossing movie of all time, received rave reviews, and was nominated for a whopping nine Academy Awards. As many have noted, while Avatar’s story is compelling, it is its groundbreaking visuals that set it apart from other blockbusters. So how did James Cameron… Continue reading Making of Avatar & Avatar 2: Behind-the-Scenes of James Cameron’s Epic
The history of art is overwhelmingly dense. Scholars, artists, and historians have spent lifetimes studying, discovering, and preserving art throughout history. In this article, we’re going to narrow out focus on one facet of the art history timeline — art movements in the Western world. And while there are undoubtedly more art movements left off this… Continue reading Art History Timeline — A Guide to Western Art Movements
What is a pilot episode? It is impossible to overstate just how vital a good pilot is within the television industry. In this post, we will explain what a pilot episode is, where it got that name, how a pilot gets made, and how it becomes a show. We will finish up by looking at… Continue reading What is a Pilot Episode — Definition, Script Examples & History
At this time, the theatrical experience is fighting to stay relevant among streaming giants. Top Gun: Maverick made an undeniable case for getting back into theaters. The film was praised by the likes of Quentin Tarantino. It received a five-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. So, what went into creating a film that sparked… Continue reading Top Gun Maverick Behind the Scenes — How They Shot It
When some people hear the word “storyboard,” they think “that’s not for me.” Storyboards have a reputation for being hard to make, but that doesn’t have to be the case. To make a storyboard, all you need is paper and a pencil (or a computer), and an idea. Today, we’re going to show you how… Continue reading Storyboard Ideas, Examples, and Techniques Explained
Filmmaking is a collaborative process, but without a doubt, the most important role on set is that of the director. The director receives most of the credit when a film succeeds and most of the blame when it fails. In other words, there is a lot of pressure and responsibility placed on their shoulders. So, how… Continue reading How Much Do Directors Make — DGA Rates for Film & TV
Oh, mockumentaries how I love thee. Mockumentaries – or simply mock documentaries – have entertained and inspired the world for decades. But what is a mockumentary? We’re going to break down the history of this subgenre, including the first mockumentary, by looking at iconic examples from Woody Allen, Christopher Guest, and more. By the end,… Continue reading What is a Mockumentary — Definition, Examples & History
What do Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Rick and Morty, Friends, and iCarly all have in common? They’re all sitcoms. The diversity of the genre can be confusing. If The Simpsons and I Love Lucy are both sitcoms, what is a sitcom exactly? In this post, we’ll get into the history of the sitcom and what makes… Continue reading What is a Sitcom — Definition, Examples and History Explained
There are many components that occur behind the scenes of a film that audiences don’t even realize occurs. Sometimes it’s lighting just off frame creating the glow of a fire. Sometimes it’s a giant water rig to create rain. And more often than not, audience’s have no idea that the actor doing that crazy stunt… Continue reading What is a Body Double in Film — Definition and Examples
A show bible is an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production. But what is a show bible? And why is it an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production? We’re going to answer those questions. Then we’ll show you some show bible examples. By the end, you’ll know why these documents are important and… Continue reading What is a Show Bible — Examples and FREE Template
There is no doubt that cinema and literature are filled with iconic heroes. But often it is the relationship between villain and hero that makes the hero so iconic. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to define a villain and how they might differ from an antagonist in a story. We’ll also… Continue reading What is a Villain — Definition, Types & Characteristics Explained
What is a coming of age movie? This often heartfelt and nostalgic genre is much beloved, but pinning down exactly what defines one can be a bit of a challenge. In this post, we’ll be doing exactly that. We’ll look at how to define the coming of age genre, then we’ll examine some of the… Continue reading What is a Coming of Age Movie — Examples and Characteristics
What is a subgenre? If you are familiar with what a genre is, then you are already halfway there. But there might be more to subgenres than meets the eye. In this post, we will be providing a definition for “subgenre,” looking at examples, and exploring how multiple genres and subgenres can nest within each… Continue reading What is a Subgenre — Definition, Examples & How They Work
Horror movies have become subject to some of the most predictable devices and tropes in cinema. While unique filmmakers like Robert Eggers, Ari Aster, and Jordan Peele continue to innovate the genre, new horror films are riddled with horror movie tropes. Although they can still be effective horror storytelling devices, they can also become unremarkable… Continue reading Horror Movie Tropes — Top 15 Tropes & Why They’re Effective
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… Continue reading Film Lighting — The Ultimate Guide (w/ Video & Cheatsheet)
