Eyelines in film help you tell a professional visual story better than most directing techniques and film gear ever will. The very basics of crafting an effective scene begins with the eyeline match. This is a filmmaking technique that, when done correctly, should go completely unnoticed. Nonetheless, it is an incredibly important technique that all filmmakers should know and understand. A lack of attention to eyeline match can result in visible errors in an entire scene. In this article, we’ll answer, "What is eyeline match" and why it's so important. Continue reading What is an Eyeline Match? Definition & Examples…
First and last impressions are life and death on YouTube. But luckily there are some excellent YouTube intro templates that will prove that your video is a quality watch. In addition to a solid intro, if you don’t plug your content at the end of your video, you won’t get the traffic you deserve.Continue reading How To Make An Intro For Your YouTube Video [FREE Template]
Directors and cinematographers shoot with purpose, as they match their technical shot choices with the intended tone or emotion of the story. Of course, they’re not the only ones making critical choices. Editors’ decisions hugely determine the success of a film. It is up to the editor to assemble every scene, every cut in a scene, to tell the intended emotional truth of the story. It’s a tall order. To alleviate some of this pressure, Oscar-winning editor, Walter Murch, outlined some helpful tools. In his book, In the Blink of an Eye, Walter Murch details The Rule of Six, discussing…
While not always necessary for story-telling, freeze frames are a timeless tool in film and television. Whether for stylistic purposes or to draw attention to particular aspects of your film, it’s important to whittle down the motivation for your freeze frame. Read on to dissect successful freeze frame movie examples and ways you can implement them in your own work. Continue reading What is a Freeze Frame — The Best Examples & Why They Work
Imagine you're watching a character reminiscing about their past. As they stare into the distance, their present environment gradually fades, and a scene from their past starts to emerge, taking us into their memory. This smooth transition, this blending of two moments, is the magic of a cross fade. This article aims to uncover the secrets of the cross fade, delving into its intricacies to provide a deeper understanding and enhance your filmmaking knowledge. Continue reading What is a Cross Fade Transition — Definitions & Examples
Watching a film can sometimes feel like looking at the world through someone else’s eyes. This someone else may be a particularly auteurist filmmaker, or they can be a character within a movie that a filmmaker wants us to identify with. Referred to as subjective cinema, this filmmaking technique can be incredibly powerful.Continue reading Subjective Cinema — Types and Techniques in Filmmaking
In the realm of cinema, the magic often lies in the unseen—the techniques and tricks filmmakers use to craft stories that captivate us. One such technique, often overlooked but incredibly impactful, is superimposition. It's a tool that has evolved with the medium, from its birth in the darkroom to its modern-day digital incarnation. But what is superimposition in film? How does it work, and why do filmmakers use it? Continue reading What is Superimposition in Film — Definition and Examples
Did you know that back in the day, movies shown on TV were completely different than how they appeared in cinemas? That's right. That is until something known as 'letterboxing' came along. What is letterboxing, you may ask? It's a technique used in films and videos, where black bars are placed at the top and bottom of the screen. Might seem odd, but it's a deliberate choice made to preserve the original aspect ratio of the film, ensuring viewers experience the movie exactly as the director intended. Stick around, and we'll explain how it works.Continue reading What is Letterboxing in…
Like anyone who has spent two hours waiting at the DMV can attest, emotional states are affected by the perception of time. In filmmaking terms, we want to take a moment to discuss one of the most commonly used time manipulation techniques — slow motion — and how it can be used to add deeper, emotional intensity to a scene or sequence. Continue reading How to Use Slow Motion to Create Iconic Moments
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 screen direction for film. Continue reading What is Screen Direction in Film — How to Preserve Continuity
