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…
Satire is a term that is often misunderstood and for good reason. With the advent of the internet, social media, and memes, it has become the main vehicle for writers and creatives to deliver their social and political commentary. But what is satire and what exactly defines something as satirical? To understand this, we’ll dive into the definition of satire, the three types of satire that exist, and how they are used in literature, films, and TV. Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know
The best dark comedy movies and TV shows go for the jugular. It’s not enough to just be edgy, or even malicious. You need to tap into deep, disturbing levels of discomfort… and build a summer home.We made the ultimate list of dark comedy movies and TV shows, plus a video essay that takes a deep dive into one dark comedy, The Lobster. Let’s jump into our list of the best dark comedy movies and TV shows.Continue reading 70 Hilarious Dark Comedy Movies & TV Shows
A Close-up shot is one of the most commonly used shot sizes in film and television, but there are ways to make your close-ups extraordinary. It may be when you decide to use them in your story, or how you angle your camera to get an added emotional effect, or by surrounding them with varying shot sizes. In this post, we’ll break it down for you. Continue reading Close-Up Shots: Examples of Camera Movement & Angles
Becoming a film director isn’t a straight path. There are multiple ways of getting there but, ultimately, there's only one driving force: you. Regardless of your education or current skill set, if you want to make movies, you will. But that’s easier said than done, so let’s go a little deeper to answer how to become a director. Continue reading How to Become a Director: Learning from Seasoned Filmmakers
Watching a scene is easy, but blocking and staging a scene effectively is a complex dance between actors and your camera. When deciding where to position your actors and your camera, you're essentially solving a puzzle — a puzzle with more than one solution.So, how is it done?In this post, we’re going to show you how three of the great directors in filmmaking history stage and block their scenes in a way that is profound, interesting, and ultimately cinematic. Lezgo.Continue reading Blocking and Staging a Scene like Spielberg, Kubrick, and Inarritu
From 2001: A Space Odyssey to pretty much every Edgar Wright film, some of the best films of all time have effectively used needle drops to take their films to the next level. This list runs through the best movie songs of all time, and as you go through the scenes, you will find they all have one thing in common. They all enhance what’s happening in the scene.Continue reading 60 Best Movie Songs Of All Time — Top Needle Drops, Ranked
Browse Film Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be your best friend. We’ve included as many film terms as humanly possible all on one page, so let’s get into it.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
Choosing a lens is a key determinant to the composition of a shot. When first deciding what lens you want to reach for, you must first decide whether the shot calls for a prime lens or a zoom lens. What is a zoom lens? In this article we’ll answer all your questions about zoom lenses and examine how some of the best filmmakers of all time use these lenses to create some of the most iconic shots in cinema.Continue reading What is a Zoom Lens? Definition and Examples in Photo and Film
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
