BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur ResourcesOpen menu Essential Cinematography Books Top 100 Cinematography Films DP Advice from Alex Buono Videography Contract Template Best Cinematography Schools Cinematography Jobs How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild Best Cinematography Online Courses E-BooksOpen menu FREE… Continue reading Cinematography and Film Terms Every Working Filmmaker Should Know
David Fincher is one of the greatest filmmakers of our generation – and he’s a director we can learn a lot from. We’re going to break down David Fincher directing tips by looking at interview clips and quotes from the man himself. Unlike other more guarded or mysterious auteurs, Fincher is very open about his… Continue reading David Fincher Interviews & Quotes on His Filmmaking Process
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
Metaphor Mixed Metaphor Visual Metaphor Extended Metaphor Implied Metaphor Dead Metaphor 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… 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 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
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
Casting TipsOpen menu Ultimate Guide to Auditions Guide to Holding Auditions Best Casting Tips Indie Film Casting Casting Background Talent When Actors Exaggerate Their Resumes Working With Child Actors Working With Celebrity Talent Casting ResourcesOpen menu What is a Casting Director How to Become a Casting Director Best Casting Agencies NYC Edition Best Talent Agencies… 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]
