The Shining

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer’s block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack’s writing goes nowhere and Danny’s visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel’s dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family.

What is Continuity Editing in Film? Definition and Editing Techniques

Some say that when the editor does their job well, the audience is not supposed to notice. This does not mean that the editor’s job is unimportant. In fact, the complete opposite is the case. Editor’s are responsible for maintaining the illusion of a film and story by hiding the mechanisms at work. The main… Continue reading What is Continuity Editing in Film? Definition and Editing Techniques

Kyle DeGuzman

Best Stanley Kubrick Movies — 13 Masterpieces Ranked (and Video Essay)

There’s no doubt about it: Stanley Kubrick is one of the greatest filmmaking pioneers of all time. Stanley Kubrick was, in many ways, a perfectionist. As such, his filmography isn’t as expansive as those of his contemporaries. But for what Kubrick lacked in quantity he made up for in quality: Each film he directed was a… Continue reading Best Stanley Kubrick Movies — 13 Masterpieces Ranked (and Video Essay)

Chris Heckmann

What is a Film Treatment? Examples From E.T. and The Shining

Whenever you read a full-length screenplay, it is important to understand all of the steps that led to the final draft of that script. Stories are often changed and workshopped long before they are written into a screenplay. The pre-writing phase of a screenplay is essential to many writers and a fundamental device used is… Continue reading What is a Film Treatment? Examples From E.T. and The Shining

Kyle DeGuzman

Elements of Suspense — Building Suspense with Film Technique

Every film needs suspense. At the foundational level, a story poses a question in the beginning and answers it by the end. The suspense is the anticipation for that answer. But what are the elements of suspense films? And how do we go about building suspense with film technique? Film is the perfect medium for… Continue reading Elements of Suspense — Building Suspense with Film Technique

Brent Dunham

Types of Camera Movements in Film Explained: Definitive Guide

Shot List SeriesShot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses As cameras have become smaller over time, new technology is constantly being invented to move them in every direction possible. Understanding the effects of the different types of camera movements in film is essential for every filmmaker to understand. It not only makes them better… Continue reading Types of Camera Movements in Film Explained: Definitive Guide

Kyle DeGuzman

How to Use Color in Film like Kubrick: Mise-en-Scène Elements Explained

Mise en scene plays a huge role in communicating the tone of a story — but what is mise en scene? In classical terms, mise en scene is the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play or film. Today, mise en scene is regarded as all of the elements that go into any… Continue reading How to Use Color in Film like Kubrick: Mise-en-Scène Elements Explained

Chris Heckmann

What is Aerial Cinematography? Drone Shots and Techniques

Some of the most iconic shots in history have been taken from the air. The elevated vantage point that we rarely see in day to day life creates a unique experience for any movie-goer. From war films, to thrillers, to action movies, aerial cinematography has created some of the most iconic shots in cinema. These… Continue reading What is Aerial Cinematography? Drone Shots and Techniques

Kyle DeGuzman

The Ultimate Guide to Camera Shots (50+ Types of Shots and Angles in Film)

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… Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to Camera Shots (50+ Types of Shots and Angles in Film)

StudioBinder

Stanley Kubrick Directing Style Explained in 8 Parts

The saying goes, “If you’re going to steal, steal from the best.” So, is Stanley Kubrick the best? For many filmmakers, the immediate answer is yes. The harder question is “why?” Like a great magician, we appreciate the end result without knowing how it was done. There is certainly a lot of “process” in his… Continue reading Stanley Kubrick Directing Style Explained in 8 Parts

Brent Dunham

Explore and Read the Best Free Movie Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)

Introducing StudioBinder’s screenplay library — your one-stop-shop for reading, downloading, and analyzing the best movie scripts online. Our collection contains all the feature-length screenplays in our database as well as scripts that we have broken down by plot, character, ending, quotes, and more. Our hope is that screenwriters everywhere can have access to these iconic… Continue reading Explore and Read the Best Free Movie Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)

StudioBinder

Amazon’s The Boys: Mise En Scene, Production Design, and Costumes

You’re a filmmaker who wants to get the most out of your production design, mise en scene, and scene elements, but you’re not sure how to plan and maximize your visual opportunities. In this post, we’re going to breakdown the production design, mise en scene, and scene elements in the Amazon Original series, The Boys, so… Continue reading Amazon’s The Boys: Mise En Scene, Production Design, and Costumes

SC Lannom

What is an Establishing Shot? Creative Examples that Set the Tone

Types of FramingOpen menu Establishing Shot Single Shot Two Shot Over the Shoulder Insert Shot POV Shot More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now You’ve written a script or maybe you’re trying to figure out a script’s shot list. You know what the film is about… Continue reading What is an Establishing Shot? Creative Examples that Set the Tone

Alyssa Maio

The Rule of Six: How to Edit Effectively with Walter Murch’s Eye Trace

Directors and cinematographers shoot with purpose, as they match their technical shot choices with the intended tone or emotion of the story. Of course, they’re not the only ones making critical choices. Editors’ decisions hugely determine the success of a film.  It is up to the editor to assemble every scene, every cut in a… Continue reading The Rule of Six: How to Edit Effectively with Walter Murch’s Eye Trace

Alyssa Maio