H ave you ever found yourself captivated by a film that strays from the predictable plot lines of mainstream cinema, instead immersing you in a world of unique storytelling and artistic vision? Welcome to the realm of Arthouse Cinema. But what is an ‘arthouse film’ exactly, and how did this fascinating genre originate? Dive with us… Continue reading What is an Arthouse Film — Definition & Examples
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 (2023)
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate… Continue reading What is a Sound Bridge in Film — Scene Transition Techniques
While cinema is known for being a primarily visual medium, there is no doubt how much of an impact music can have on a film. Some of the most iconic scenes in history are remembered with a song attached. Sometimes the music choices are left to a director far after the screenplay is written. However,… Continue reading How to Write Music into a Screenplay — Examples & Tips
Best Tarantino MoviesQT’s Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown How do you learn filmmaking techniques from a director like Quentin Tarantino? You can watch his films, and learn his filmmaking process with quotes from Quentin Tarantino interviews. We also built a video with directing tips and examples from Quentin Tarantino… Continue reading Quentin Tarantino Interviews, Directing Tips & Quotes on Film
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate… Continue reading 60 Best Movie Songs Of All Time — Top Needle Drops, Ranked
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 (2023)
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate… Continue reading What is the Wilhelm Scream — Origins and Iconic Examples
There are a few iconic films that have transcended cinema and impacted culture at large and Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon is certainly one. Kurosawa’s exploration of truth and its expression in the film led to a term that would be used both in and outside of cinema — the Rashomon Effect. The Rashomon Effect is used in… Continue reading What is The Rashomon Effect in Film? Definition & Examples Explained
What is a spec script? What does it mean to “write on spec” and is it something you should do? We’ll be answering all of these questions, breaking down the differences between a film spec and a TV spec, and looking at a couple of examples of successful scripts written on spec and the writers… Continue reading What is a Spec Script — Definition, Examples and Writing Tips
Quentin Tarantino is known for a lot of things: distinct dialogue, explosive violence, pop culture pastiches. But his movies also contain another less-discussed element that is as important as his other signatures: food. In Tarantino movies, food is crucial. It can reveal character traits, propel plots, and expand themes. Some of Tarantino’s most famous scenes… Continue reading Quentin Tarantino Food Scenes — The Complete Menu
Basic CharactersOpen menu Insert Image Types of Characters in a Story Insert Image Protagonist Insert Image Deuteragonist Insert Image Antagonist Insert Image Hero Insert Image Anti Hero Insert Image Tragic Hero Insert Image Tritagonist Insert Image Superhero Insert Image Anti-Villain Insert Image Villain Insert Image Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Insert Image Common Character Types… Continue reading What is an Anti-Villain — Definition, Types and Examples
What is a Mexican Standoff? And for that matter, how does it differ from a regular standoff? In this post, we’ll be digging into the term, breaking down its origins, clearing up common misconceptions, and taking a look at some of the best examples. We’ll also be answering the question: why is it called a… Continue reading What is a Mexican Standoff — How to Direct a Showdown
EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is The Three Act Structure Insert Image What is Story Structure Insert Image What is a Story Beat Insert Image What is a Story Mountain Insert Image What Is a Plot Insert Image Plot vs Story Insert Image What is a Non-Linear Plot Insert Image What is a Plot Device… Continue reading Screenplay Structure Examples — A Guide for Screenwriters
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… Continue reading 25 Best Opening Scenes in Movies & What Makes Them Great
The first scene in your film is arguably the most important one. You need to give the audience a sense of what’s going to happen as well as set the tone. After all, you don’t want your comedy to start off with a grim, overly dramatic scene. This is where a prologue can come in… Continue reading What is a Prologue? Definition, Examples in Film and Literature
There’s no doubt about it: Stanley Kubrick is one of the greatest filmmaking pioneers of all time. Stanley Kubrick was, in many ways, a perfectionist. As such, his filmography isn’t as expansive as those of his contemporaries. But for what Kubrick lacked in quantity he made up for in quality: Each film he directed was a… Continue reading Best Stanley Kubrick Movies — 13 Masterpieces Ranked (and Video Essay)
90s movies may forever be my favorite movies. For whatever reason, whether comedy, drama, or horror, I feel this overwhelming sense of peace when one of my favorite 90s films is on. Is it just nostalgia or do they actually hold up? I suppose that’s always debatable. But there is a thin line between what… Continue reading Best 90s Movies of All Time — An Awesome 90s Movies List
Though best known for producing many of the best television shows of all time, HBO is also home to many excellent films. HBO caught on quick that streaming was the way of the future, and got into the only media game early. We’ll be taking a look at what movies are on HBO right now.… Continue reading Best Movies on HBO Right Now — Filmmaker Playlist (Jan. 2021)
Close UpsOpen menu Insert Image Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Insert Image Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Insert Image Medium Shot (MS) Insert Image Cowboy Shot (CS) Insert Image Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Insert Image Full Shot (FS) Insert Image Wide Shot (WS) Insert Image Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu Insert… Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to Camera Shots (50+ Types of Shots and Angles in Film)
