The most striking characters in film have detailed, complicated character traits. On occasion, our heroes succumb to the power of their most wicked flaws. Hamartia is a timeless term that describes this failure. If you haven’t heard of hamartia before, don’t sweat it. We’ll unpack how to spot hamartia and utilize it in your own work. So, what is hamartia and how does it work? Let's find out.Continue reading What is Hamartia — Examples of Tragic Characters in Lit. & Film
It is fundamental knowledge that moving the camera closer or further from a subject has innate storytelling effects. But what happens when a filmmaker simply moves the camera around a subject? This is the arc shot. It commonly appears on the big screen as the hero shot, but today we’ll analyze a few more effective storytelling capabilities of the arc shot. Continue reading The Arc Shot — Examples and Camera Movements Explained
Shot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses As cameras have evolved, filmmakers have developed a vast array of camera movements and camera angles to enhance storytelling. Mastering these camera techniques is essential for cinematographers and directors, helping them guide the audience's perspective and emotions effectively.Camera movement transforms static scenes into dynamic storytelling. This video breaks down key techniques—like push-ins, tracking shots, and whip pans—showing how they shape perspective and build tension. Watch to see how intentional movement elevates every shot:Continue reading Types of Camera Movements in Film Explained: Definitive Guide
What makes an action movie great? It’s not just explosions—it’s timing, choreography, editing, and story stakes. From incredible set pieces to beautifully-choreographed action to amazing one-liners, action is a popular film genre for a reason. Popular action movies take all shapes and forms. This list includes everything from superhero movies to Hong Kong action thrillers and even a couple of Star Wars flicks thrown in for good measure.And with so many new action movies hitting theaters and streaming platforms, it’s a perfect time to revisit classics that shaped the genre. So buckle up—here comes the definitive ranking of the best action…
The first scene in a story is arguably the most important one. You need to give the audience a sense of what’s going to happen as well as set the tone. After all, you don’t want your comedy to start off with a grim, overly dramatic scene. This is where a prologue can come in handy. So what is a prologue and how can you make one that works for your narrative? That’s what we’ll dive into today. Continue reading What is a Prologue? Definition & Examples
There is no doubt that cinema and literature are filled with iconic heroes. But often it is the relationship between villain and hero that makes the hero so iconic. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to define a villain and how they might differ from an antagonist in a story. We’ll also analyze some iconic examples and what characteristics they share on their path to villainy. Continue reading What is a Villain? Definition, Types & Characteristics
We’ve all seen actors lose themselves in roles so deeply, they transport us to a different time and place, and for some of us, that’s why we go to the movies. But how do they do it? This post explores one particular acting technique that can drive actors to life-altering performances. We seek to answer what is method acting by defining it and giving some examples of the method actors of our time.Continue reading What is Method Acting — 3 Different Types Explained
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…
Best Nolan MoviesNolan's Directing StyleNolan Directing Tips Nolan's CirclesNolan's Shot List Which are the best Christopher Nolan movies? How do you rank them against each other? Do Christopher Nolan films get better over the years, and how will Nolan’s next movie measure up? We've ranked the Chris Nolan filmography not by box office haul, but rather by the quality of the story, theme, filmmaking craft, and cinematic experience. Continue reading Top 11 Christopher Nolan Movies, Ranked Worst to Best
It’s easy to mix up the different types of camera shots and types of angles. To make a shot list, a filmmaker or video creative must know the classic types of shots based on attributes like shot size, shot framing, camera movement, camera mechanisms, and depth of field. We'll break down all the camera shots, camera angles, and camera techniques that you need to know for your next film or music video. We also include camera shot examples from famous movies to help solidify all the discussed cinematography techniques.Continue reading 50+ Types of Camera Shots, Angles, and Techniques
