There are countless ways to cut a movie. Sometimes it’s best to do straight-forward, continuity editing– one scene happens, then the next. But sometimes, a less obvious editing technique can bring a sequence to life. Parallel editing is one of these unique editing forms that can elevate a movie, drawing comparisons and heightening suspense. So what is parallel editing in film? How can it be used?Continue reading What is Parallel Editing in Film — And Why Editors Use It
No genre has influenced the public's perception of criminals more than Gangster Movies. For more than 80 years, the best gangster movies have fascinated and allured the minds of millions; from Prohibition-era pre-code crime to 21st Century gang life. Our list of the 30 best gangster movies of all time includes films that span the globe and were produced in different time periods, with very different budgets.Whether sensational like De Palma’s Scarface or grounded like Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood, audiences have grown to see gangsters in new ways. But their binding similarity is that they are each responsible for shaping…
Great performances, direction, cinematography, and even production design are all essential for creating an engaging dialogue scene. But one of the most important aspects of a great dialogue scene is effective editing. Editing can make or break a dialogue scene even if all of the other filmmaking elements fall into place. So how do you edit a dialogue scene? What editing techniques can be used so that a dialogue scene stays interesting and engaging? We’ll learn how to edit a dialogue scene and what techniques go into a great dialogue scene in this article. Continue reading How to Edit a Dialogue Scene…
The ending of The Godfather Part II is one of the best movie endings of all time. Today, we’re going to break down everything that makes The Godfather Part II ending great – from plot and characters to music and production design. By the end, you’ll know how Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, and all the other artists involved in the film crafted an unforgettable moment in cinema history. Continue reading The Godfather 2 Ending Explained (& Why It’s One of the Best)
Cinematographers and editors work together to create sequences that resemble reality. Once an editor gets the footage, if there are mistakes that create unintended disorientation, editors need to go to their tool belt. One way to do this is to use cutaway shots. As a cinematographer, it’s always important to shoot cutaway shots because it gives the editor an opportunity, one, to get creative, but also to fix any continuity errors. What does that mean? And what else can cutaway shots do you for your film? Let’s find out.Continue reading What is a Cutaway Shot — Why Editors and DP’s…
How do you create a compelling character in the editing room? The choices an editor makes greatly impact how audiences receive a character. In moments of change or distress, we want the audience to actively engage with the thoughts and emotions that motivate our character’s decisions. By understanding their characters, editors can employ editing techniques to create a consistent visual language signifying moments of character development. This is called character-driven editing. In this post, we will be breaking down character-driven editing in The Godfather restaurant scene so that you can implement these techniques in your next project.Continue reading The Godfather…
If you’ve ever been on a set, you know how important it is to stay quiet when the 1st assistant director signals action. Unfortunately, there are some sounds that can’t be controlled. Planes overhead, unexpected cast or crew coughs, or even car horns, all contribute to the need for re-recording sound. So what is ADR in film and are there any other reasons you might want to use it?Continue reading What is ADR in Film — Will it Save or Ruin Your Film?
Villains come in all shapes and sizes. From cruel dictators to menacing ghosts, these villains are often the driving force behind a story's narrative. Through their evil deeds, villains create tension and keep readers on the edge of their seats. Whether they're out for revenge or simply seeking power, every villain has their own unique motives and endless list of misdeeds. In this blog, we'll explore the different types of villains that inhabit our stories and discuss how they differ from each other.Continue reading Types of Villains — 10 Forms of the Villain Archetype Explained
Special effects makeup has been a source of wonder and mystery since the dawn of film. It is often used to create characters and creatures that are so realistic they can seem almost unreal. But what is SFX makeup exactly? From creating iconic superheroes like Iron Man to bringing monsters like Godzilla to life, SFX makeup has made its mark in the entertainment industry. In this blog post, we'll explore the history and benefits of special effects makeup in cinema.Continue reading What is SFX Makeup — The Magic of Special Effects Makeup
A climax in storytelling is the most intense, exciting, or emotionally charged point in a narrative. It is the conclusion of an arc in which readers see the main characters make decisions and face obstacles that define who they are and what they stand for. The climax allows stories to build to increasingly satisfying resolutions or tragic endings. This blog will explore the different types of climaxes used in storytelling and how these create engaging endings for readers. Due to the sheer nature of a story’s climax, there are major spoilers ahead. That said, let’s dive in!Continue reading What is the Climax…
