12 Secrets to Great Exposition in Screenwriting (w/ Examples)
Exposition in film or screenwriting is one of the most difficult aspects to master. It’s necessary for our audience to understand our characters and plot, but we don’t really want…
What Filmmakers Can Learn From Darren Aronofsky Movies
Darren Aronofsky movies show us the most complex regions of the human psyche. As the Black Swan director says, “Because we are filmmakers, we can show where a person’s mind…
Paul Thomas Anderson Movies and Directing Style
Paul Thomas Anderson has evolved his style over the last two decades. His early films are chaotic and dramatic, built with extreme techniques and extreme performances. His later films have…
Auteur Theory: The Definitive Guide to the Best Auteur Directors
Early filmmakers showed the world that a movie director could be an artist. But not every movie director. Because part of auteur theory is knowing how to define auteur directors….
Mastering the Shot List: Andrei Tarkovsky
Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky once said, “If during my work I find that a shot or a take might resemble what has already been done by another great director, I…
4 Essential Principles for Creating the Ultimate Antagonist
A great antagonist is much more than just a “villain” to challenge your main character. There are many delicate components to creating a great antagonist. From casting to compelling storylines…
How To Create Striking First and Final Frames in Your Film
A beginning, middle, and end are the bare bones that support the structure of any story. In his video essay First and Final Frames, Jacob T. Swinney compiles a stunning…
How to Use Slow-Motion to Create Iconic Moments
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…
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