What are some of the most iconic sounds in cinema history? Sure two lightsabers clashing or even the suspenseful score of Jaws make that list. However, one sound effect has been used throughout movies of all genres for over fifty years. It is none other than the iconic Wilhelm Scream. You may have heard it and asked yourself “What is that same scream in all movies?” What is the Wilhelm Scream and where did the original Wilhelm Scream come from? In this article, we’ll be taking a look at one of the most iconic sounds in film and how filmmakers…
If you’ve ever seen a trailer to a sequel of one your favorite movies, you know what it's like to be emotionally conflicted. On one hand, you would love to see the characters of a film you love back on the big screen. But on the other hand you really hope they don’t mess it up. Unfortunately, the latter happens all too often. What is a sequel to you — a promise of greatness or the threat of failure?In a time when Hollywood is cranking out more franchises, remakes, and reboots than ever before, it’s important to understand the differences…
There are a lot of great kids movies to watch, whether you’re looking for something to show your children, niece/nephews, classroom, etc. – or you’re just looking to reconnect with your childhood. We’re going to rank the best kids movies of all time based on three criteria: visuals, creativity, and moral/insightful message. Note: we tried to make the picks on this list as varied as possible by picking from different eras, genres and styles of film. With that note out of the way, let’s jump into our list of the best kids movies of all time!Continue reading Best Kids Movies of…
The release of Toy Story, Pixar’s first feature, in 1995 was a milestone not only in animation but in cinema as a whole. Pixar has gone on to change what we think a “kid’s movie” can be and how a movie can be made. To try to decide on the best Pixar movies in the studio’s storied career is a thankless task bound to offend anyone who grew up watching the studio’s films. So let’s get started. And let's begin with a video essay on one of the best Pixar movies of all time, WALL-E — And how a…
Animation has allowed storytellers to tell stories in unique ways. The visceral fantastical worlds in animated films can reignite inspiration and the magic of stories no matter what age. So if you’re a storyteller, or want to be, the animation is a great place to start. So what is animation? And what are the types of animation cartoonists and artists use? Let’s jump in.Continue reading What is Animation — Definition, History and Types of Animation
Browse Film Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be your best friend. We’ve included as many film terms as humanly possible all on one page, so let’s get into it.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
Cinema has transformed significantly, with computer-generated imagery (CGI) at the forefront of modern filmmaking. Computer generated imagery has become an essential tool for filmmakers, enabling them to create visuals that would be impossible or impractical to achieve with practical effects alone. The meaning of CGI lies in its ability to merge imagination with cutting-edge digital artistry. But what is CGI? What does CGI stand for? It refers to digitally created visual content used in movies, TV, video games, and simulations, making impossible visuals a reality. The definition of CGI is rooted in its use of computer graphics to transform…
Filmmakers have a wide variety of camera techniques to implement to adequately tell a story. One of the most powerful tools directors have at their disposal is the split diopter lens, which is capable of having two subjects at different distances in frame simultaneously.In this blog, we’ll go over what exactly a split diopter shot is. We’ll also include plenty of examples, so you can see it first-hand. Used properly, you can use a split focus diopter to convey a certain mood and direct your audience to exactly what they need to pay attention to.Continue reading The Split Diopter Lens…
What does deus ex machina mean? Writers work hard to put their characters into terrible situations to find new and creative ways to get them out. It’s entertaining and it’s a sign of a great, organic story. Conflict needs to live and breathe. But conflict also demands resolution. Catharsis. But for some writers, that catharsis comes cheap. This post explores the deus ex machina meaning in film with a few examples. Let’s jump in. Continue reading Deus ex Machina — Meaning, Definition & Examples
T he act of storytelling has always been with us. Anthropologist Joseph Campbell took stories from around the world and found they all shared the same basic structure. Campbell's Hero's Journey laid out each of the fundamental steps in this story structure. A few decades later, Dan Harmon took this same idea and created the Story Circle. In Dan Harmon's Story Circle, there are 8 essential steps that can guide almost any story from Fade In to Fade Out. Let's walk through each step with examples so you can apply this foolproof structure to your next great idea.Continue reading How the…
