Star Wars is an American epic space-opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the eponymous 1977 film and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon.
Intertextuality is an incredibly important concept for writers to understand – but what is intertextuality? We’re going to break down everything there is to know about intertextuality by looking at examples from film, television, literature, and games. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize intertextuality, and institute it in your own works. Continue reading What is Intertextuality — Definition and Examples
Storyboarding is almost always a good idea. This is true when shooting a movie or television show, but it’s also true for weddings, ads, and anything that might require a camera. In this post, we’ll break down how to storyboard videography of all sorts, plus give you a video storyboard template.Continue reading How to Storyboard Videography — Weddings, Ads & More
What does every story have in common? They all have a beginning, middle, and end. Obviously, writing and storytelling is more complex than simply laying out a beginning, middle and end. But simplifying those plot structures into clear stages can help with brainstorming and organizing your ideas as a writer. This visual guide of plot points is usually called a story mountain.Continue reading What is a Story Mountain — How to Tackle Story Structure
What is a dynamic character? An essential player in storytelling, a dynamic character might learn a lesson, go from good to bad, or bad to good. These are some of our favorite protagonists, from Walter White in Breaking Bad to Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz to Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. There can be more than one dynamic character in a story, and how they play off of one another is part of what helps them develop. In order to write compelling dynamic characters, you need to know what they are and what they aren’t. Let’s dig…
Historically, sound effects were used as comic relief or to signify an action happening off-screen. But as cinematography has evolved, so too has sound design. Sound design has become a powerful tool and if you’re a filmmaker looking to increase the production value of your projects, these sound effect techniques can help get you there. This article will break down popular uses of sound effects and where you can find these film sound effects for your next project.Continue reading Movie Sound — A Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Effect Techniques
Are practical effects still useful in modern cinema? In the battle of practical vs CGI (computer-generated images), who wins? Practical effects have a rich history in cinema, influencing generations of filmmakers and movie goers alike. Oftentimes, practical effects movies can produce a more realistic look and feel than CGI. In the article, we analyze practical effects, the movies that use them and why they still have great importance in film.Continue reading Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real
Virtual production is a fast-growing technique in the film and television industry. It offers filmmakers new ways to create engaging content with greater flexibility and efficiency. But what is virtual production? It combines traditional filmmaking methods such as motion capture and facial recognition with digital visuals. And this groundbreaking technology opens up exciting possibilities for directors and producers looking to produce something completely unique. This blog will explore how it works, and the benefits that it offers to those creating content in today's landscape.Continue reading What is Virtual Production — Pros, Cons & Process Explained
Matte painting is a technique used in filmmaking to create unique and realistic sets on a low budget. This method has been used by filmmakers since the early 1900s and has become an integral part of creating stunning visuals for films. But what is matte painting in film production? In this article, we will look at what it is, its history, and how it can be used to enhance storytelling through film.Continue reading What is Matte Painting in Movies — Definition and Examples
It’s hard to overstate the importance of Star Wars. George Lucas’s crowning achievement marked the twilight of New Hollywood and the dawn of the blockbuster era of the 1980s. Any big-budget science fiction release since has operated under the shadow of Star Wars’ towering influence. There were many reasons for the success of Star Wars, but undeniably what set it apart from the rest of the competition was its special effects. Audiences in 1977 had never experienced anything like it. How did George Lucas and his team pull off what was thought to be impossible? How did they stretch their…
Art is inherently referential; everyone is influenced by something that came before. Great (and not-so-great) artists all get inspiration from somewhere and will sometimes show it in their works. If an artist makes a reference to something in their own work, that is often seen as an homage. But what is homage? Is it anything like copying? And how much is too much when it comes to references? Continue reading What is Homage — Definition & Examples in Art and Film
