Whether you’re making a short film or a feature, having an insanely low budget may seem like a road block, but it doesn’t have to be. No budget movies can also cultivate creativity, encouraging a sort of ‘Necessity is the mother of invention,’ mindset. In this mode, you can take your film to unexpected places… Continue reading Zero Budget Filmmaking Tips: 7 Steps on How To Get That Hollywood Look
I think you’ll agree that planning a shoot can be a little scary. Perhaps you know the shots you want, but still worry about everything cutting together in post. After all, it is very hard to think of everything on a stressful shooting day.Continue reading How to Make a Shot List Using StudioBinder’s Shot List Software
Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List It can be difficult to… Continue reading The Wide Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
Director Alfonso Cuarón once said, “I’m interested in new worlds, new universes, new challenges.”Continue reading How Alfonso Cuarón Makes Every Shot Count
Proper screenplay format is a necessary evil. Some rules are set in stone while others can be left up to a writer’s preference–the lack of consensus can certainly be frustrating. So, what’s a writer to do? The first step is to use a screenwriting program, like StudioBinder. This ensures that most of your formatting concerns are dealt… Continue reading How to Format a Script with Keyboard Shortcuts
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
Ep1: Film ToneEp2: Prod DesignEp3: Film BlockingEp4: Camera Movement VIEW ALL EPISODES → EPISODE 3Filmmaking techniques: Blocking for directorsHow directors and cinematographers work together to block actors in a scene. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel ← WATCH PREVIOUS EPISODE WATCH NEXT EPISODE → FILMMAKING TECHNIQUES: EPISODE 3How directors block actors:In our third episode on Filmmaking Techniques in… Continue reading Film Blocking: Filmmaking Techniques for Visual Storytelling
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
Best Tarantino MoviesQT’s Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown Is there any filmmaker whose personality is more apparent when you watch his films than Quentin Tarantino? In his own quirky way, Tarantino has introduced us to some of the most shocking and moving emotional moments on film. Of course, Quentin Tarantino’s… Continue reading The Directing Style of Quentin Tarantino
Ep1: Film ToneEp2: Prod DesignEp3: Film BlockingEp4: Camera Movement VIEW ALL EPISODES → EPISODE 4Filmmaking techniques: Directing the cameraHow directors and cinematographers work together to ensure camera movement is additive to the story. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel ← WATCH PREVIOUS EPISODE WATCH NEXT EPISODE → FILMMAKING TECHNIQUES: EPISODE 4How and when to move the camera:In our… Continue reading Camera Movement: Filmmaking Techniques for Visual Storytelling
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 Insert shots are the unsung hero of filmmaking. They’re used in feature films, documentaries, and commercials. They may seem simple, but getting… Continue reading What is an Insert Shot: How to Build Clever Inserts like The Coen Brothers
Shot reverse shot may seem like a simple concept, but the truly great filmmakers know how to use it to achieve unique results. Want to make your scenes more dynamic, robust, and powerful? In this post, we take examples of shot reverse shot, reaction shots, scene coverage, and cutaways to illustrate how you can use these… Continue reading Shot Reverse Shot: Reaction Shots, Cutaways, and Coverage
BasicsOpen menu Insert Image Producer vs Director Insert Image What Does an Executive Producer Do Insert Image What Does a Producer Do Insert Image What Does a Co-Producer Do Insert Image What Does a TV Producer Do Insert Image What is An Associate Producer Insert Image What is a Line Producer Insert Image What is… Continue reading The Best Casting Tips for Directors and Producers
If you’re a filmmaker of any kind, you need to know the rules of cinema and video production. Understanding these rules give you control over your images. One of the most important rules to know is the 180 degree rule.Continue reading What is the 180 Degree Rule in Film? Crossing the Line with Purpose
EPISODE 7TV WRITING & DEVELOPMENT MASTERCLASSHow to Sell a TV Show with a Sizzle Reel [with Examples]You’ve completed your series bible, and finished the pilot script for your best show idea. Now you need to get yourself in the room, and prove to producers that your idea should be their next project.You need a sizzle… Continue reading How to Sell a TV Show Idea with a Sizzle Reel [Best Sizzle Reel Examples] — TV Writing & Development: Ep7
EPISODE 6TV WRITING & DEVELOPMENT MASTERCLASSHow to Pitch a TV Show [Pitch Template & Examples]In this video we’re going to show you the basics to pitching your show: delivery style, key story components and how to put them together. SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE ← BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE WATCH NEXT EPISODE → How to pitch a… Continue reading How to Pitch a TV Show [Pitch Template and Examples] — TV Writing & Development: Ep6
Shot List EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Shot List? Insert Image Introducing Shot Lists Insert Image How to Make a Lined Script Insert Image How to Make a Shot List Shot List TipsOpen menu Insert Image What’s in Your Shot List Insert Image Shot Listing Like a Pro Insert Image How to Create… Continue reading How to Create a Shot List Like ‘Creed’ [Shot List Example]
Shot List EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Shot List? Insert Image Introducing Shot Lists Insert Image How to Make a Lined Script Insert Image How to Make a Shot List Shot List TipsOpen menu Insert Image What’s in Your Shot List Insert Image Shot Listing Like a Pro Insert Image How to Create… Continue reading Made in StudioBinder: How Lifestyle Filmmaker Matt Komo Shot Lists
EPISODE 5TV WRITING & DEVELOPMENT MASTERCLASSHow to Make a TV Show Bible [FREE Series Bible Template]So you have your treatment, pilot script and logline and you’re feeling ready to pitch your show to Netflix. Not so fast, cowboy. What you need is a TV show bible to pull everything together. SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE ← BACK… Continue reading How to Make a TV Show Bible [Series Bible Examples & PDF] — TV Writing & Development: Ep5
EPISODE 3TV WRITING & DEVELOPMENT MASTERCLASSHow to Write a Memorable Pilot Script The pilot script is the building block for your entire series. People have to read it and be able to see the potential moving forward. So how can you make your pilot script stand out in the crowd? SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE ← BACK TO… Continue reading How to Write a Pilot [TV Script Outline] — TV Writing & Development: Ep3
