Alyssa Maio is a screenwriter from New Jersey, now living in Los Angeles. She works as a copywriter here at StudioBinder.
We often hold writers, directors, and cinematographers, responsible for movie masterpieces. But who made this possible? It turns out discovering who invented the movies is actually more of a question of when, because there were different inventors at different times in history, and all had a hand in innovating the motion picture. Let’s look at… Continue reading When Were Movies Invented? A Brief History of Motion Pictures
Plot TropesOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free Here lies the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She was written into this world without a care in the world, and now the majority of movie-goers, filmmakers, writers,… Continue reading Manic Pixie Dream Girl — A Eulogy for a Character Trope
Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now → Cinematographic and photographic techniques like shallow focus can serve your story or images in numerous ways. And mastering it isn’t overly complicated. Some… Continue reading What is Shallow Focus? How Can it Help Your Cinematography?
When it comes to buying new headphones, I’m a firm believer in trying them out for yourself – you have to hear the difference. But depending on who you are and what you plan on using your headphones for, there are some deal breakers to know upfront. This post will save you some time giving… Continue reading What Are the Best Wireless Headphones? Includes Over Ear & Earbuds
Bollywood and Hollywood are the two most known “woods” in the world, or at the very least, the top two film industries in the world. Actually, it depends how we measure that statement. Nollywood is another industry that seems to be passing Hollywood in terms of the amount of movies it produces a year. How… Continue reading What is Nollywood and How Did it Become the 2nd Largest Film Industry?
If you’re a beginner enthusiast videographer, or professional dabbling into new territory, 360 video might be a great new adventure. Capturing immersive 360 degree footage isn’t complicated, but there are a few things to consider. Let’s answer what is 360 video, where does virtual reality come in, and how can you start shooting yours? Let’s… Continue reading What is 360 Video? How to Create An Immersive Experience
Types of Camera GearOpen menu Tripod Handheld Drone Dolly Steadicam Crane Shot TypesOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now → The crane shot allows the audience to leave a normal point of view, creating a novel perspective that’s inherently cinematic. Whether you’re an… Continue reading What is a Crane Shot? And Why Do the Pros Use Them So Often?
You’re a videographer or photographer learning more about what goes into lighting a shot. You know it takes years to become a skilled filmmaker, but maybe you want quality images and well-lit footage fast. The ring light can enhance the quality of light in your images and this post explores some reasons why you should… Continue reading What is a Ring Light, Who Relies on Them and Why?
Being a comedy writer isn’t easy. Even if you’re a director, knowing what’s funny and what’s not, isn’t always easy. Comedy is mostly subjective, but if you’re trying to write, direct, or even act in a comedy, there are some techniques that might help. So what is comedy? We’ll give our comedy definition, examples of… Continue reading What is Comedy — Defining it Through Technique
Animation BasicsOpen menu What is Animation Types of Animation What Does an Animator Do What is Cel Animation What is Anime What is Claymation ResourcesOpen menu How to Direct an Animated Movie Animation Storyboard Tips Unreleased Aladdin Animatic Best Animated Music Videos Best Animation Software Best AnimationsOpen menu Best Animated Movies of All Time Best… Continue reading The 10 Absolute Best Stop Motion Movies
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) Create your free shot list → Macro lenses are part of every professional photographer… Continue reading What is a Macro Lens? Tips and Techniques on How to Use One
Whether you’re new to editing or someone looking into more storage options for your workflow, RAID storage might be a viable option. It may be a little overwhelming at first, with all of the options it offers, but RAID has become one of the more reliable systems that exist for creators alike. So what is… Continue reading What is Raid Storage? Options to Safeguard Your Project
Creative writing prompts are powerful tools that aid you to become a consistent writer. It’s easy to get inspired once, maybe twice about a project or story that means something to you. But if and when that light dims, or you finally finish that project, what’s next? Writer’s block isn’t much of an avenue. Excuses… Continue reading 82 Creative Writing Prompts and Writing Exercises for Screenwriters
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) Create your free shot list → Telephoto lenses are used by photographers from every… Continue reading What is a Telephoto Lens? How to Get the Shots You Want
Book to movie adaptations are a great source of content for writers and producers. When done well, story lovers can experience their favorite characters on the big screen in new and exciting ways. Great book adaptations revive age-old tales begging to be remembered.Continue reading Best Book to Film Adaptations in the Last Five Years and… Continue reading Best Book to Film Adaptations in the Last Five Years and What’s Next
Have you been to the movies lately? I think there might be more ways to watch movies than there are good movies to watch. But either way, this article will answer what is Dolby Cinema to see if it’s worth the cashola for your next date night. Continue reading What is Dolby Cinema? How Does it… Continue reading What is Dolby Cinema? How Does it Compare to Other Screening Formats
Most working actors appreciate the fluidity of the medium — they can be in a movie one year, and then choose to work on a play or television series the next. Television, especially lately, has become so much richer and substantive. The level of conflict between characters, and even the dimensions and rawness of each… Continue reading Actors Making the Switch: Big Movie Stars in TV Series
Pilot season is a term people in the industry use often. It’s not a season only for writers, but is a great time for actors to get cast in an upcoming series. But when is pilot season? When should you be prepared? With new digital streaming services, is the season a’changin? Let’s find out. Continue… Continue reading When is Pilot Season? And How Has Digital Streaming Affected It?
Animation BasicsOpen menu What is Animation Types of Animation What Does an Animator Do What is Cel Animation What is Anime What is Claymation ResourcesOpen menu How to Direct an Animated Movie Animation Storyboard Tips Unreleased Aladdin Animatic Best Animated Music Videos Best Animation Software Best AnimationsOpen menu Best Animated Movies of All Time Best… Continue reading DIY Animation: What is Stop Motion Animation & How to Try it at Home
Every single blog post or news article that follows an award show focuses on all of the snubs and surprises of the previous evening. Now this may be a silly question, but what makes an Emmy snub a snub? Nominations seem a fairer game to judge, but once a person is nominated, how can you… Continue reading What’s a True Emmy “Snub”? Best Emmy Snubs and Surprises of All Time
