I n the process of video production, you’ll eventually need to start location scouting. But considering permits, fees, and logistics, it can be daunting to find locations that work for your budget. But the importance cannot be overestimated. Worry not! There is hope. You don’t need a Hollywood budget to get good locations. What you need is… Continue reading 11 Essential Location Scouting Tips: How to Plan a Movie Shoot
What is the Wes Anderson style? Is it a mixture of vintage tchotchkes, droll repartee, and houndstooth? Well … yes, but there’s more to it than that, a lot of which has generally gone unnoticed. We’ll break down the Wes Anderson style and its components, which will help you define your own cinematic habits so that,… Continue reading The Wes Anderson Style Explained: Ultimate Guide
For decades, filmmakers have iterated on creative lighting and cinematic techniques. But still, some of the best lighting techniques, such as chiaroscuro, have persevered to have an impact on cinema today. Though chiaroscuro in film was popularized nearly a century ago, modern cinema still venerates its value. So what is chiaroscuro in film and how… Continue reading What is Chiaroscuro in Film? Definition, Techniques, & Examples
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)
Exposure Triangle Aperture ISO Shutter Speed Frame Rate Shot List Creator Everyone loves a good slow-motion scene or a shot that speed ramps into an interesting moment. The key to these types of videos begins with understanding and controlling frame rate. What is frame rate and why is it important? We’ve done the legwork, and… Continue reading What is Frame Rate? A Filmmaker’s Guide to Frames Per Second
There are various elements that contribute to a cinematic shot. Depth, naturalism, and dynamic lighting styles can all result in stunning cinematography. A simple and direct way to introduce all three into a shot is by using practical lighting. Practical lighting is so effective because it aims to utilize light not just to properly expose a… Continue reading What is Practical Lighting in Film? Tips and Techniques Explained
Continue reading 8 Character Archetypes — Examples in Literature & Movies
Sam Mendes, director of stage and screen, may not release quite as many feature films as some of his contemporaries but one thing he has displayed in abundance is variety. With the exception of his turns in the James Bond series as the Spectre and Skyfall director, it’s rare to see Sam Mendes movies tackle… Continue reading The Best Sam Mendes Movies — American Beauty to 1917
Types of LensesOpen menu Prime Lens Zoom Lens Anamorphic Lens Lens Basics More About Lens Types Focal LengthsOpen menu Wide Angle Lens (14mm – 35mm) Standard (35mm – 70mm) Telephoto Lens (70mm – 200mm) More Focal Lengths Specialty LensesOpen menu Macro Lens Fisheye Lens Tilt-Shift Lens Split-Diopter Lens Deakinizer Lens Lens BrandsOpen menu Lens Buying… Continue reading Camera Lenses Explained: What’s Inside & How Do They Work?
Did you know that the Back to the Future script was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 1986 Academy Awards? Back to the Future may be most famous for its incredible production design and visual effects, but the script is excellent as well. We’re going to break down the Back to the Future screenplay… Continue reading Back to the Future Script PDF Download: Quotes & Character Arcs Explained
In the era of the internet and Youtube, the video essay has become an increasingly popular means of expressing ideas and concepts. However, there is a bit of an enigma behind the construction of the video essay largely due to the vagueness of the term. What defines a video analysis essay? What is a video essay… Continue reading What is a Video Essay? The Art of the Video Analysis Essay
Paul Thomas Anderson movies have evolved over the last two decades. His early films are chaotic and dramatic, built with extreme techniques and extreme performances. His later films have similar intensity, but it is often internal, more intellectual than physical. And his directing style has also become more mature and restrained. So far, P.T. Anderson only… Continue reading Paul Thomas Anderson Movies and Directing Style
Cinematography can mean a lot of things, but its ultimately about capturing your desired images. Communicating the various techniques used to capture these images is what separates a working professional and a student. Continue reading 30 Best Cinematography Techniques & Tips You Didn’t Learn in Film School
The best dark comedy movies and TV shows go for the jugular. It’s not enough to just be edgy, or even malicious. You need to tap into deep, disturbing levels of discomfort… and build a summer home. We made the ultimate list of dark comedy movies and TV shows, plus a video essay that takes a… Continue reading 70 Hilarious Dark Comedy Movies & TV Shows | Dark Humor in 2021
Exposure Triangle Aperture ISO Shutter Speed Frame Rate Shot List Creator We all know the sound that a camera makes. That satisfying click when we press the button and create our photograph. What we’re hearing is the camera’s shutter. That sound is the shutter moving up and down. It moves the same way every time… Continue reading What is Shutter Speed and Its Role in the Exposure Triangle?
T here are many ways to film the same scene. The director’s decisions depend on what experience they want the audience to have. Knowing what shot composition is and how to use it is vital to visual storytelling. Shot composition is more than arranging scene elements in a camera frame. It is an art that combines… Continue reading Rules of Shot Composition in Film: A Definitive Guide
There are many things that define movies directed by Edgar Wright. Brilliant needle drops. Laugh-out-loud moments by the barrelful. And characters subtly telling you at the beginning what’s going to happen throughout the movie. There’s really no such thing as a bad Edgar Wright movie, so consider this a ranking from great to greatest. By… Continue reading All Edgar Wright Movies Ranked — TV, Shorts & Videos Too!
Midsommar is Ari Aster’s haunting folk horror film that stunned audiences in 2019. The movie follows a group of college students who travel to a pagan festival in Sweden and get caught up in a terrifying ordeal. If you’ve seen the film, then you know that description doesn’t really do the movie justice, and there’s… Continue reading Midsommar Explained: Symbolism, Themes, and Easter Eggs
Tim Burton is a filmmaker with a style so unique that we’ve come to regard his works — and those who replicate them — as Burtonesque. And we see the Burtonesque in every facet of his films: writing, lighting, music, characters and of course, production design. We’re going to explore Tim Burton’s singular mise en… Continue reading What is Burtonesque — A Complete Tim Burton Style Analysis
One of the most fundamental aspects of the medium of film is the ability to edit and rearrange images and shots to create a story. The difficulty in editing and film in general is to be both effective and efficient at the same time. This enables the audience to understand the story while also being… Continue reading What is a Montage? Definition, Examples & 6 Ways to Use Them
