What is a foil character? Is it a character who wears tin-foil on their head? Wait no, that’s Joaquin Phoenix in Signs. Foil characters exist to expose something in the main character of a story. You may have heard the term in reference to the works of William Shakespeare, but he’s not the only writer who uses them. We’re going to show you some examples of foil characters from literature, film, and television. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize foils from a mile away and perhaps hatch an idea for your own foil character.Continue reading What is a…
Although we often overlook it today, the breathtaking clarity of cinematography is a relatively recent development. Not too long ago, the images that graced the screens of cinemas and our homes were often filled with graininess and blurriness. However, everything changed with the advent of high-definition technology. High definition, or HD, is therefore not just a buzzword but a significant leap in visual fidelity. But what is high definition, and what is the science behind the technology?Continue reading What is High Definition — History, Types & Impact
What exactly goes into a call sheet? Which producers’ names go on top? Where do you put the parking details? Is the lunch menu listed? Fret not, gentle reader. Here is everything you need to know about how to make a call sheet for film and television productions. In this article (and videos), we break down all the components that should be included and best practices to follow. Continue reading How to Make a Call Sheet for Film & TV (Free Example)
In a story, context can change how we perceive and experience a narrative. Sometimes, writers use a larger story as the context for another. This technique is known as a frame story. Frame stories add depth to a narrative, creating an initial lens through which we view the rest of the story. This lens can be retrospective, subjective to a character, or it can simply establish the degree 0f accuracy of another story being told. The various ways frame stories can be used prove their value as a storytelling technique.Continue reading What is a Frame Narrative — Stories Inside Stories
You may have heard the term “call sheet” many times. But if you’ve never sent one out yourself, you may not know everything they need and why they are so essential to every production. So what is a call sheet and what goes on it?In this post, we’ll walk you through the document, and provide a call sheet template and example. If you’re now at a point in your career where it’s time to make one, and you don’t know the basics, then you may not be fully prepared for shoot day.Continue reading What is a Call Sheet — Everything…
Animation takes patience, attention to detail, boundless creativity, and more patience. The beauty of the artform is that, if you are willing to put the work in, there is no image you can’t create, no world you can’t immerse your viewer into. And yet, despite its endless possibilities, most narrative animators follow a certain set of rules. These rules are known as the 12 principles of animation.Continue reading What are the 12 Principles of Animation — Ultimate Guide
The independent film landscape has monumentally shifted since Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Soderbergh were the collective mavericks of independent cinema. And what qualifies as independent is still changing. What is an independent film? Even though the definition fluctuates with time and fashion, key characteristics persist. No matter how top independent films are financed, compelling and original storylines, great characters, and innovative execution of craft reign supreme. The best independent films of any given year continue to duke it out against much-hyped CGI explosions, superheroes, and space creatures in theaters and at home. So what are the best indie…
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, because understanding how to stage, schedule, and capture a complex master shot will transform your film into a tour de force.Continue reading The Master Shot — 5 Steps to Shooting a Complex Master
Looking for funding for your film is often harder than making the actual movie. Waiting on your agent, producers, or anyone else to show up and give you the funds you need can leave you demoralized. But, finding film funds doesn’t have to be impossible! Because there are film grants for every filmmaker. Not only are they attainable, but you don’t have to exhaust yourself looking for them. Today, we’re discussing finding and applying for the perfect film grants for your project, and we've included the most exhaustive film grants list, just for you. Let's dive in!Continue reading The Ultimate…
Humans are multitaskers. We can listen to the news while doing dishes; we can pat our heads and rub our stomachs; and we can walk and talk. Humans in movies and TV especially love to do the last option. The walk and talk is a strategy used by directors in countless shows and films. Let’s look at how the walk and talk works, where it shows up, and why you may want to use it.Continue reading The Walk and Talk in Film & TV — Writing & Shooting Tips
