Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Backstory Catharsis Conflict Dialogue Mood Motif Plot Point of View Protagonist Setting Subplot Subtext Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Flashback Foreshadowing Exposition Hamartia Iambic Pentameter Irony Juxtaposition Peripeteia Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Satire Symbolism Figures of SpeechOpen menu Allegory Allusion Alliteration Anaphora Assonance Consonance Connotation Euphemism Imagery Hyperbole… Continue reading What is an Allegory? Definition and Examples in Literature and Film
Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms Film Crew Positions What is film theory? Is it just the theory of film? Or is it something more? Fear not, we’re going to answer the question “what is film theory?” with a film theory definition. We’re also going to examine a variety of different aspects of film theory,… Continue reading What is Film Theory — How to Study Film (And Why)
H ave you ever wondered why the mockingbird sings in Harper Lee’s classic, or what the green light at the end of the dock means in The Great Gatsby? Or perhaps you’ve pondered on the deeper significance of the spinning top in Christopher Nolan’s Inception. These aren’t just random elements thrown into the mix to make… Continue reading Types of Symbolism — Examples from Literature and Cinema
No genre has influenced the public’s perception of criminals more than Gangster Movies. For more than 80 years, the best gangster movies have fascinated and allured the minds of millions; from Prohibition-era pre-code crime to 21st Century gang life. Our list of the 30 best gangster movies of all time includes films that span the… Continue reading Top 30 Best Gangster Movies of All Time, Ranked
Types of Camera GearOpen menu Tripod Handheld Gimbal Jib / Boom Drone Dolly Steadicam Crane Shot TypesOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now Every camera movement should be chosen with intention and purpose. For that reason, it is important for every filmmaker to… Continue reading What is a Boom Shot — Camera Shot Definition and Examples
Metatextuality plays an important role in the relationship between a text and its audience. But what is metatextuality? And why does it play an important role in the relationship between a text and its audience? We’re going to answer those questions by defining metatextuality, as well as by examining metatextual examples in films/games. By the… Continue reading What is Metatextuality — Definition, Examples & Types Explained
What is a tracking shot? They are really fun to watch, but difficult to film. We’ve put together a list of the best tracking shots of all time. Then we break down everything you’ll need to consider when blocking and planning a tracking shot in your own projects.Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot —… Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Backstory Catharsis Conflict Dialogue Mood Motif Plot Point of View Protagonist Setting Subplot Subtext Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Flashback Foreshadowing Exposition Hamartia Iambic Pentameter Irony Juxtaposition Peripeteia Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Satire Symbolism Figures of SpeechOpen menu Allegory Allusion Alliteration Anaphora Assonance Consonance Connotation Euphemism Imagery Hyperbole… Continue reading What is Subtext — How to Use Subtext in Screenwriting
You’re looking for a list of the best crime movies of all time. Maybe you want to find action crime films, or crime thrillers, or perhaps even a crime comedy movie or a crime drama. We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the best crime movies of all-time, including American crime… Continue reading 73 Best Crime Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
Motion pictures have enticed and inspired artists, audiences, and critics for more than a century. Today, we’re going to explore the history of film by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide. We’re also going to explore the technical craft of filmmaking from the persistence of vision to colorization to synchronous sound.… Continue reading The History of Film Timeline — All Eras of Film History Explained
Index & TimelineOpen menu Art Styles Explained Art History Timeline Renaissance (1400-1600)Open menu Renaissance Gothic Art Baroque (1600-1750)Open menu Rococo Baroque Classical (1750-1827)Open menu Classicism Neoclassicism Ukiyo-e Naturalism vs Realism Romantic (1827-1900)Open menu Romanticism Art Nouveau Kinetic Art Post Impressionism Primitivism Modern (1900-1970)Open menu Abstract Expressionism Avant Garde Bauhaus Conceptual Art Constructivism Art Cubism Dadaism… Continue reading What is Expressionism Art — Definition, Examples & Artists
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
There are few things that can keep an audience more engaged in a film than suspense. But what is suspense, exactly? That feeling of intense anticipation can be found in various genres and have an audience leaning forward with their eyes glued to the screen. Understanding what suspense is and how it differs from other… Continue reading What is Suspense — The Elements of Suspense Explained
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Backstory Catharsis Conflict Dialogue Mood Motif Plot Point of View Protagonist Setting Subplot Subtext Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Flashback Foreshadowing Exposition Hamartia Iambic Pentameter Irony Juxtaposition Peripeteia Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Satire Symbolism Figures of SpeechOpen menu Allegory Allusion Alliteration Anaphora Assonance Consonance Connotation Euphemism Imagery Hyperbole… Continue reading What is a Backstory — Building a Foundation for Your Narrative
What defines a cinematic shot? For many of us, it is the result of masterful cinematography that creates depth, tone, and tells a story through lighting and camera work. One lighting technique that can help achieve all of these things is volumetric lighting. What is volumetric lighting in filmmaking? Odds are, you have seen this… Continue reading What is Volumetric Lighting — Definition and Examples
Hollywood has gone through a lot of different eras, but perhaps none were more influential on society than the golden age. But when was the golden age of Hollywood? What made it golden? And why did it end? We’re going to answer those questions by looking at some examples from The Maltese Falcon, Citizen Kane,… Continue reading When Was the Golden Age of Hollywood — And Why Did It End?
