Steven Allan Spielberg is an American filmmaker. He is considered one of the founding pioneers of the New Hollywood era and one of the most popular directors and producers in film history. Spielberg started in Hollywood directing television and several minor theatrical releases.
Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms Film Crew Positions 3D movies have revolutionized the way we experience films. Technological advancements have paved the way for a captivating and visually breathtaking viewing experience that, not too long ago, would have seemed unimaginable. But is a 3D movie exactly, and how did they come to be? In… Continue reading What is a 3D Movie — History, Definition, & Best Examples
Editing EssentialsOpen menu What is Film Editing What Does a Film Editor Do How Does an Editor Control the Rhythm of a Film How to Become a Film Editor What is In Camera Editing What is Screen Direction in Film What is a Rough Cut in Film What is Continuity Editing in Film What is… Continue reading What is Letterboxing in Film — Definition & Why It’s Used
Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms Film Crew Positions What is film theory? Is it just the theory of film? Or is it something more? Fear not, we’re going to answer the question “what is film theory?” with a film theory definition. We’re also going to examine a variety of different aspects of film theory,… Continue reading What is Film Theory — How to Study Film (And Why)
Y ou’ve unwrapped your gifts, gorged yourself on a massive breakfast, and curled up next to a roaring fire. It’s Christmas, and it’s time to throw on the perfect movie. Sometimes, however, the obvious Christmas classics feel a little too obvious. We’re here to help with a list of Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas movies.… Continue reading 12 Best Christmas Movies That Aren’t Christmas Movies
Stages of Film Production Film Financing Film Production Pre-Production Post-Production Film Distribution Film Marketing Pre-Production can be overwhelming even for the seasoned producer. It requires knowledge of many facets of production, as well as an ability to prevent potential crises down the line. It’s not always easy but if you stay organized, it’s pretty simple.… Continue reading What is Pre-Production in Film — A Blueprint for Success
In narrative filmmaking, the relationship between the director and the actors is arguably the most important relationship on set. And yet, for many directors beginning their careers, the process of working with an actor can seem mystifying. No one director collaborates with actors the same way, and yet many of the most celebrated actors’ directors… Continue reading Directing Actors — How to Get the Best Performances
Janusz Kamiński is one of the most celebrated cinematographers working today. Since Schindler’s List, he’s become Steven Spielberg’s go-to director of photography, giving the filmmaker’s movies a grit and realism that was largely missing in his earlier filmography. Janusz Kamiński movies have certain calling cards — high contrast, strong backlighting — but not one of… Continue reading Janusz Kamiński Movies Ranked — The Cinematographer’s Best
Types of LensesOpen menu Lens Basics Prime Lens Zoom Lens Anamorphic Lens Focal LengthsOpen menu Wide Angle Lens (14mm – 35mm) Standard (35mm – 70mm) What is a 50mm Lens Good For 35mm vs 50mm Lenses Telephoto Lens (70mm – 200mm) Specialty LensesOpen menu What is a T-Stop Macro Lens Fisheye Lens Tilt-Shift Lens Split-Diopter… Continue reading What is a Wide Angle Lens — And When to Use One
Filmmakers dream of getting the greenlight– the go-ahead from a studio to get started on their project. But even a greenlight doesn’t necessarily mean a movie will see the light of day, or the darkness of a theater. There is still, unfortunately, the possibility of a turnaround. What does turnaround mean in film, and how… Continue reading What is Turnaround in Film — Definition & Examples Explained
You may have seen something out of time in a period piece, like machine guns in the Middle Ages. You may have come across a story where everyone in the 22nd century is still using 20th century technology. It’s the sort of thing you may notice immediately or not at all, depending on how subtle… Continue reading What is Anachronism — Definition, Examples & Creative Uses
What is a tracking shot? They are really fun to watch, but difficult to film. We’ve put together a list of the best tracking shots of all time. Then we break down everything you’ll need to consider when blocking and planning a tracking shot in your own projects.Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot —… Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples
BasicsOpen menu What is Post-Production What is VFX What are Special Effects What is Virtual Production What is SFX Makeup What is CGI What is Mocap What is Compositing What is Matte Painting What is Chroma Key What is a Green Screen What is a Blue Screen What is Practical Effects What is Motion Graphics… Continue reading Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real
BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is… Continue reading Low Light Photography & Cinematography — Examples & Tips
Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Low Angle Shot Eye Level Shot High Angle Shots Dutch Angle Shot Overhead Shot Aerial Shot Camera Angle Guide Explore More ShotsOpen menu All Camera Shots Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Overhead shots are used all the time, sometimes for practical reasons, while other times for an… Continue reading The Overhead Shot — Creative Examples of Camera Angles
EssentialsOpen menu What is a Scene What is The Three Act Structure What is Story Structure What is a Story Beat What Is a Plot Plot vs Story What is a Non-Linear Plot What is a Plot Device What is Freytag’s Pyramid Screenplay StructureOpen menu Screenplay Structure Examples What is a Story Mountain Joseph Campbell’s… Continue reading Examples of Midpoint In Movies — Types of Midpoints Explained
Art is inherently referential; everyone is influenced by something that came before. Great (and not-so-great) artists all get inspiration from somewhere and will sometimes show it in their works. If an artist makes a reference to something in their own work, that is often seen as an homage. But what is homage? Is it anything… Continue reading What is Homage — Definition & Examples in Art and Film
You’re looking for a list of the best crime movies of all time. Maybe you want to find action crime films, or crime thrillers, or perhaps even a crime comedy movie or a crime drama. We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the best crime movies of all-time, including American crime… Continue reading 73 Best Crime Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers (2023)
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Backstory Catharsis Conflict Dialogue Mood Motif Plot Point of View Protagonist Setting Subplot Subtext Theme Structural ElementsOpen menu Anticlimax Climax Context Denouement Epilogue Narrative Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Flashback Foreshadowing Exposition Hamartia Iambic Pentameter Irony Juxtaposition Peripeteia Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Satire Symbolism Figures of SpeechOpen menu Allegory… Continue reading What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples
Motion pictures have enticed and inspired artists, audiences, and critics for more than a century. Today, we’re going to explore the history of film by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide. We’re also going to explore the technical craft of filmmaking from the persistence of vision to colorization to synchronous sound.… Continue reading The History of Film Timeline — All Eras of Film History Explained
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer What is a… Continue reading What is the Wilhelm Scream — Origins and Iconic Examples
