Found footage, a unique and immersive cinema style, has become an increasingly popular genre in the film industry. This style of filmmaking presents a distinctive viewing experience by giving the illusion that the events on screen are not a work of fiction, but rather a real event that was accidentally captured. In this article, we will explore the history and evolution of found footage, its defining characteristics, and some noteworthy films in the genre. Continue reading What is Found Footage Filmmaking — Genre & Style Explained
Over the past couple decades, The Blair Witch Project has proven to be one of the most influential films ever. Between its groundbreaking found-footage aesthetic and pioneering marketing approach, Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick’s movie has cast a long shadow. Perhaps the most beguiling and memorable moments of the movie is its final scene, which continues to shock viewers to this day. What makes the Blair Witch ending so special? How did its directors pull it off? Continue reading The Blair Witch Project Ending Explained & Making Of
Low light cinematography can be daunting. If it goes wrong, an image can be hard to see or fraught with noise. Trying to overcorrect with stronger lights, on the other hand, can make a night scene feel unnaturally bright. How can a cinematographer navigate this minefield to achieve a beautiful low-light shot? In this post, we'll cover various techniques when shooting low light photography and cinematography. We'll start with our interview with famed DP Claudio Miranda discussing how to shoot in low light with scenes from Oblivion, Life of Pi, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.Continue reading Low Light…
Horror movies have become subject to some of the most predictable devices and tropes in cinema. While unique filmmakers like Robert Eggers, Ari Aster, and Jordan Peele continue to innovate the genre, new horror films are riddled with horror movie tropes. Although they can still be effective horror storytelling devices, they can also become unremarkable cliches in a film. Let’s take a look at fifteen common horror movie tropes. Fair warning, spoilers ahead!Continue reading Horror Movie Tropes — Top 15 Tropes & Why They’re Effective
The best scary movies stay with you. They follow you home from the movie theater. They are right behind you as you walk alone at night. They are with you no matter how deep under the covers you go. Like the videotape in The Ring, once you've seen it, you can't unsee it. The best scary movies find a way to capture your attention. They transport you to that house. They trap you in that basement. They lose you in the woods with no way out. This vicarious experience is why we subject ourselves to scary movies. We want the…