Screenplay transitions in cinema have been used ever since filmmakers had the ability to edit. At first, what was a simple cue to an editor of when to cut to another shot or scene has become another tool for a filmmaker to creatively tell a story. Fades, wipes, and match cuts are a few examples of how the transition has evolved to more creative uses. It is important for any screenwriter to understand the format and use of transitions in a screenplay to make them a more well-rounded writer. Let’s dive into how to write transitions in a script and…
Making a short film can seem like an indomitable task. Most writers and directors struggle to get their productions off the ground, often because they lack the resources to get started. No need to worry though, we’re going to show you step-by-step how to make a short film with video guides and all the software you’ll need. Make sure to reference this guide as you’re going through your production to check off all of the steps.Continue reading How to Make a Short Film — 12 Steps from Idea to Finished Film
What is a vignette? The term has the potential to be confusing because it means slightly different depending on which story-telling medium is the topic of discussion. Even within filmmaking, the term can also be used to describe two completely different things. We will sort through this confusion and break down each meaning of ‘vignette.’ We will also take a look at some vignette writing examples in literature and film. Learning this specific writing technique might be exactly what your next project needs. Continue reading What is a Vignette in Writing — Definition & Examples Explained
Tired of scrolling through Netflix? Feeling lonely? Searching for 'the one'? No matter what prompted you to Google "best romantic comedies," by the time you leave, two things are certain: you’ll be inspired to make your own list of favorites and you’ll open up that ice cream tub and turn on the TV. So, without further ado, here are the best romantic comedies of all time.Continue reading Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, Ranked for Romantics
If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, you’ve probably heard the term aspect ratio quite often. Before you shoot even a single frame of your film, you have to decide what aspect ratio would be best. This decision will affect the staging and framing of every single shot going forward. Why? What is aspect ratio, and why does it matter so much? Let’s find out.Continue reading What is Aspect Ratio? A Formula for Framing Success
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 — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples
The Academy Award for Best Director is the most prestigious honor any director can receive -- well, at least in theory it is. You may be shocked to find out that many of “the greatest directors of all-time,” like Alfred Hitchock, Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, Fritz Lang, Ingmar Bergman, and Federico Fellini never won the award. Of all of the Academy Awards, the Best Director category probably has the greatest discrepancy between its winners and its retrospective, critical consensus. No matter though, we’re going to list all of the Academy Award Best Director winners, then we’ll rank some…
In psychology, there’s something called the serial position effect. It means people tend to remember what comes first and last, not what occurs in the middle. Filmmakers know this phenomenon all too well. Combine that with today's stream-ability and countless options… and the opening to a film is as important as ever. Today, we study the best opening scenes in movies to see how the best in the business grab the audience and never let go. Continue reading 25 Best Opening Scenes in Movies & What Makes Them Great
There are a lot of intricacies in scripts that present challenges to even the most veteran of screenwriters. The process of writing a script is difficult enough but the vocabulary, abbreviations, and defintions related to the job can be a bit elusive. But don’t worry, we’re going to cover a variety of screenwriting terms that every screenwriter needs to know. By the end, you’ll be ready to apply a variety of screenwriting techniques to your own script. Continue reading Screenwriting Terms — Abbreviations, Definitions & Vocab
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. Before auteur theory, Directors were important, but the other factors were still more significant. Stars. Studios. Producers.People referred to a 'Clark Gable movie' for example, because in the 1930's stars ruled the day. Auteur theory came in the early 1950's, and it changed all that. It shifted some power away from actors, producers, and studio moguls. It shifted power towards directors. Towards specific types of directors. And it ultimately led…
