Brad Pitt is one of the most iconic American actors today, simultaneously revered for his good looks and depth as an actor. In this list, we’re going to rank the best Brad Pitt movies. The ranking of these films are in regards to their quality and impact, not Brad Pitt’s performance. But every film on the list features Pitt in a substantial if not starring role. Before we dive into the list of his best movies, let's look at the role he won the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood. Continue reading Best Brad…
It can be difficult to convey the importance of a landscape or emotion, especially when framing a subject at a distance with a wide shot.Continue reading The Wide Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
What is a leitmotif? What makes it different from a theme song? How is it used in cinema? These are the questions we’re going to answer as we look at the leitmotif definition and examples. We’re also going to show you how masterclass composers like John Williams apply leitmotifs to their films. By the end, you’ll be ready to apply a ‘leading motif’ to your own production!Continue reading What is a Leitmotif? Definition and Examples
If you loved movies as a child, then there’s a good chance you owe a debt of gratitude to Steven Spielberg. He’s directed some of the best, most entertaining, and most influential films of all time. Honestly, he has about 10 films you could put as #1 on a list of his best movies, and no one would be mad. He’s been a producer, writer, and even an actor over the years, but for this list, we’re only looking at the 31 feature-length, theatrically-released films in his filmography. Get ready to be inspired because we’re counting down the best Steven…
Mise en scène can seem foreign, even to filmmakers, film critics, and movie buffs. Why is it important? How do you pronounce it? And what is mise en scène anyway. Grasping mise en scène is critical for anyone who makes or seriously watches any kind of visual content. For directors and producers, mise en scène in film and the script breakdown go hand in hand.In this article, we’ll let you know what mise en scène is and how you can use it — both as a filmmaker and as a savvy viewer. We will define 20 key mise en scène…
You’ve seen many Steven Spielberg movies in your time. Despite his popularity, it can be difficult to pinpoint what defines the Steven Spielberg directing style. Perhaps his control of the medium is so natural and intuitive, his trademarks and cinematography techniques go unnoticed in a good way. This article will explore the most iconic films by Spielberg, analyzing his unique style and storytelling techniques.We get lost in a Spielberg movie in a way that’s like no other filmmaker. His ability to captivate audiences raises questions like what film is the highest grossing of all time, as many of his masterpieces…
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…
A filmmaker is a visual artist. To be a great visual artist you need mastery of the color palette. Many of the greatest Directors, Cinematographers, and Production Designers have extensive backgrounds as visual artists themselves. There are many ways to use color in film. We’re going to break down the key approaches as well as offer you a free E-book. The ebook is an excellent tool for better understanding the use of the color in film, and how to master it.Continue reading How to Use Color in Film: 50+ Examples of Movie Color Palettes
Directors and cinematographers shoot with purpose, as they match their technical shot choices with the intended tone or emotion of the story. Of course, they’re not the only ones making critical choices. Editors’ decisions hugely determine the success of a film. It is up to the editor to assemble every scene, every cut in a scene, to tell the intended emotional truth of the story. It’s a tall order. To alleviate some of this pressure, Oscar-winning editor, Walter Murch, outlined some helpful tools. In his book, In the Blink of an Eye, Walter Murch details The Rule of Six, discussing…
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture. Since its inception, this coveted accolade has been the pinnacle of recognition for filmmakers and movie enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will take you through a complete list of every film that has had the honor of receiving this esteemed award. From groundbreaking classics to modern masterpieces, join us as we celebrate the cinematic achievements that have shaped the world of cinema and left an indelible mark on the hearts of audiences worldwide. Continue reading Academy Award for Best Picture — Full List & Top 20 Ranked
