How to Make an Animatic: A Step-by-Step Guide

Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu What is a Storyboard What is a Digital Storyboard Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Best Storyboard Software What is a Storyboard Artist Websites to Find a Storyboard Artist Storyboard Classes Online Storyboard Dimensions Explained Storyboard Montage Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Composition Storyboard ExamplesOpen menu Best Storyboard Examples Storyboard Ideas, Examples, and Techniques… Continue reading How to Make an Animatic: A Step-by-Step Guide

What is Overstatement — Definition and Examples for Writers

3 Types of Irony Dramatic IronyOpen menu What is Tragic Irony Stages of Dramatic Irony Verbal IronyOpen menu Sarcasm Understatement Overstatement Socratic Irony Situational IronyOpen menu Cosmic Irony Poetic Justice Structural Irony Historical Irony (FREE E-Book) Irony Explained: The Ultimate Guide Sometimes you just can’t find the words to express how you feel. To match… Continue reading What is Overstatement — Definition and Examples for Writers

What is an Animatic — How To Bring Your Storyboard to Life

Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu What is a Storyboard What is a Digital Storyboard Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Best Storyboard Software What is a Storyboard Artist Websites to Find a Storyboard Artist Storyboard Classes Online Storyboard Dimensions Explained Storyboard Montage Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Composition Storyboard ExamplesOpen menu Best Storyboard Examples Storyboard Ideas, Examples, and Techniques… Continue reading What is an Animatic — How To Bring Your Storyboard to Life

30 Best Cinematography Books That Actually Inspire

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur ResourcesOpen menu Essential Cinematography Books Top 100 Cinematography Films DP Advice from Alex Buono Videography Contract Template Best Cinematography Schools Cinematography Jobs How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild Best Cinematography Online Courses E-BooksOpen menu FREE… Continue reading 30 Best Cinematography Books That Actually Inspire

M. Night Shyamalan Directing Style — Why He’s Underrated

Best Shyamalan MoviesShyamalan’s Style ExplainedThe Return of M. Night Shyamalan Love him or hate him, the M. Night Shyamalan directing style is worth studying. He’s made every kind of movie: universally loved, universally loathed, and a few that will endlessly divide audiences. But before he became a punching bag on the internet, Shyamalan was making… Continue reading M. Night Shyamalan Directing Style — Why He’s Underrated

Hoyte van Hoytema Movies & Cinematography Style Explained

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Cinematography BreakdownsOpen menu Stranger Things Cinematography Better Call Saul Cinematography Euphoria Cinematography Analysis Drive Cinematography Breakdown Blade Runner 2049 Cinematography The Guilty Cinematography Sicario Cinematography Water Light Reflection in Blade Runner Cinematographer StylesOpen menu Roger… Continue reading Hoyte van Hoytema Movies & Cinematography Style Explained

What is the Rule of Thirds — Definition and Examples in Film

Basics of CompositionOpen menu What is Composition Rules of Shot Composition Rules of Composition SizeOpen menu Scale Proportion BalanceOpen menu Asymmetrical Balance Symmetrical Balance Radial Balance Golden Ratio Foreground Elements Texture Rhythm SpaceOpen menu Positive Space Negative Space Positive & Negative Space Fill the Frame Simplicity LinesOpen menu Leading Lines Rule of Thirds Frame Within… Continue reading What is the Rule of Thirds — Definition and Examples in Film

Paul Thomas Anderson Movies and Directing Style

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

3 Types of Irony Every Storyteller Should Know (with Examples)

3 Types of Irony Dramatic IronyOpen menu What is Tragic Irony Stages of Dramatic Irony Verbal IronyOpen menu Sarcasm Understatement Overstatement Socratic Irony Situational IronyOpen menu Cosmic Irony Poetic Justice Structural Irony Historical Irony (FREE E-Book) Irony Explained: The Ultimate Guide We encounter irony every day: in our favorite movies, TV shows, and in our… Continue reading 3 Types of Irony Every Storyteller Should Know (with Examples)

Sicario Cinematography Explained — Lighting & Composition

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Cinematography BreakdownsOpen menu Stranger Things Cinematography Better Call Saul Cinematography Euphoria Cinematography Analysis Drive Cinematography Breakdown Blade Runner 2049 Cinematography The Guilty Cinematography Sicario Cinematography Water Light Reflection in Blade Runner Cinematographer StylesOpen menu Roger… Continue reading Sicario Cinematography Explained — Lighting & Composition

55 Best Movie Directors of All Time and Their Greatest Films

The best movie directors of all time — the idea of such a list sparks immediate debate. Rather than try to impose any sort of definitive or objective best directors list, consider this more of a celebration of the entire medium. Woefully underrepresented on this list are women. While women have been an integral part… Continue reading 55 Best Movie Directors of All Time and Their Greatest Films

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

James Cameron Movies: Ranked with the Filmmaker in Mind

It’s time to stop underrating James Cameron movies. He’s not perfect but he’s better than he gets credit for. Cameron is an auteur working at the highest level of the studio system, like a proto-Christopher Nolan. His budgets are record-breaking but so are the box office returns.Continue reading James Cameron Movies: Ranked with the Filmmaker… Continue reading James Cameron Movies: Ranked with the Filmmaker in Mind

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

The Dolly Shot: How To Create Powerful Shots With Simple Movement

Types of Camera MovementsOpen menu Static Pan Tilt Whip Pan Pedestal / Boom Track / Truck Zoom Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Dolly Aerial Arc More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Movements Explained Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now It can be difficult to push your audience to identify… Continue reading The Dolly Shot: How To Create Powerful Shots With Simple Movement

Match Cuts & Creative Transitions with Examples – Editing Techniques

Everyone loves to see a great scene transition, but how do you connect scenes on a deeper level? Consider using a match cut. Using similar colors, shapes, actions or even dialogue, match cuts add that extra level of meaning to create a more cohesive and seamless narrative. In today’s post, we’re going to break down… Continue reading Match Cuts & Creative Transitions with Examples – Editing Techniques

Ultimate Guide to Camera Focus: Understanding Depth of Field

Dof basicsShallow dofDeep dofDOF GuideTYPES OF CAMERA FOCUS Shot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses Camera focus is more than just making sure your image is sharp and detailed. When you consider the storytelling value of shallow focus or how a rack focus can guide the eye, a whole new world opens up. Directors… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Camera Focus: Understanding Depth of Field