Steven Allan Spielberg is an American filmmaker. He is considered one of the founding pioneers of the New Hollywood era and one of the most popular directors and producers in film history. Spielberg started in Hollywood directing television and several minor theatrical releases.
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 —… Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples
BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What is Post-Production Insert Image What is VFX Insert Image What are Special Effects Insert Image What is Virtual Production Insert Image What is SFX Makeup Insert Image What is CGI Insert Image What is Mocap Insert Image What is Compositing Insert Image What is Matte Painting Insert Image What is… Continue reading Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real
BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur LightingOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is High… Continue reading Low Light Photography & Cinematography — Examples & Tips
Pre-Production can be overwhelming even for the seasoned producer. It requires knowledge of many facets of production, as well as an ability to prevent potential crises down the line. It’s not always easy but if you stay organized, it’s pretty simple. So what is Pre-Production in film? When does it start and when does it… Continue reading What is Pre-Production in Film — A Blueprint for Success
Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Insert Image Low Angle Shot Insert Image Eye Level Shot Insert Image High Angle Shots Insert Image Dutch Angle Shot Insert Image Overhead Shot Insert Image Aerial Shot Camera Angle Guide Explore More ShotsOpen menu Insert Image All Camera Shots Insert Image Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List… Continue reading The Overhead Shot — Creative Examples of Camera Angles
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 Plot Insert Image What is a Non-Linear Plot Insert Image What is a Plot Device Insert Image Screenplay Structure Examples Insert Image Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey Insert… Continue reading Examples of Midpoint In Movies — Types of Midpoints Explained
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… Continue reading What is Homage — Definition & Examples in Art and Film
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)
What is theme? In the simplest terms, a theme is the subject of a story. But that definition actually does more harm than good in fully understanding the theme of a story. In this article, we’re going to look at some common misconceptions by breaking down how to use theme in literature and screenwriting, with… Continue reading What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples
Motion pictures have enticed and inspired artists, audiences, and critics for more than a century. Today, we’re going to explore the history of film by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide. We’re also going to explore the technical craft of filmmaking from the persistence of vision to colorization to synchronous sound.… Continue reading The History of Film Timeline — All Eras of Film History Explained
BasicsOpen 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 TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate Guide to Sound Recording Filmmaker’s… Continue reading What is the Wilhelm Scream — Origins and Iconic Examples
Filmmaking is a collaborative process, but without a doubt, the most important role on set is that of the director. The director receives most of the credit when a film succeeds and most of the blame when it fails. In other words, there is a lot of pressure and responsibility placed on their shoulders. So, how… Continue reading How Much Do Directors Make — DGA Rates for Film & TV
Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List A Close-up shot is one… Continue reading Close-Up Shots: Examples of Camera Movement & Angles
What are the best horror movies of all time? From zombies to your nextdoor neighbor, films have found fear from a wide variety of sources over the decades. In this blog, we’re providing all of you filmmakers out there with the definitive list of the best horror films ever made. We’ll discuss what makes each… Continue reading 100 Best Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
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. We get lost in a Spielberg movie in… Continue reading Steven Spielberg Movies — Filmmaking Style & Techniques
What is a dissolve in film? Dissolves are some of the most commonly used editing transitions in all of film. We’ve seen them used to expert effect in films like Citizen Kane, Saving Private Ryan, and more. We’re going to explain the dissolve definition in a simple and concise way. Then we’ll show you how… Continue reading What is a Dissolve in Film — Editing Transitions Explained
Anticlimax is a dirty word, one which we’ve been trained to avoid at all costs. Nobody wants to tell a story only to have a friend shrug and say, “Well, that was anticlimactic.” But a deliberate anticlimax can be instructive, funny, poignant, or all of the above. How does an anticlimax work, and what lessons can… Continue reading What is an Anticlimax — Definition, Examples in Movies
Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Storyboard Insert Image Best Storyboard Software Insert Image What is a Storyboard Artist Insert Image Websites to Find a Storyboard Artist Insert Image What is a Digital Storyboard Insert Image Introducing Storyboard Builder Insert Image Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Insert Image What is an Animatic Insert… Continue reading How to Storyboard if You Can’t Draw — 4 Alternative Options
Tripods in filmmaking used to be a necessity due to the weight of older cameras. As cameras have become lighter and lighter, many new age filmmakers jump to the handheld shot immediately. And while there is a time and a place for the handheld shot, many critics have pointed out its overuse in cinema today.… Continue reading What is a Tripod — Definition, Types and Functions Explained
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,… Continue reading What is a Leitmotif? Definition and Examples in Film
