Chris Heckmann is a Professor of Media & Communication at Roger Williams University and graduate of UCLA’s Cinema & Media Studies Master of Arts program. When he’s not writing or teaching, he’s probably playing video games (or thinking about the next great Boston sports trade).
Color BasicsOpen menu What is Color Temperature Color Grading vs. Color Correction What is LUT What is Technicolor First Color Movie Film Colorization Process Color SchemesOpen menu What is a Color Palette What is a Color Scheme Triadic Color Scheme Monochromatic Color Scheme Analogous Color Scheme Complementary Color Scheme FREE Ebook: How to Use Color… Continue reading What is a Color Palette — How to Use Them in Visual Arts
Alfred Hitchcock is one of the all-time great auteur filmmakers. His films can be explained in the simplest of terms: You know it when you see it. Over 55 years, Alfred Hitchcock directed dozens upon dozens of films, some of which have joined the pantheon of the greatest movies in cinema history. In this article,… Continue reading 30 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked for Filmmakers
A Socratic dialogue is an excellent vehicle for individuals to explore the epistemological nature of ideas. But what is Socratic dialogue? And why is it an excellent vehicle for exploring epistemology? We’re going to answer those questions by defining Socratic dialogue; then we’ll break down some Socratic dialogue examples. By the end, you’ll know how… Continue reading What is Socratic Dialogue — Definition, Examples & Uses
Color BasicsOpen menu What is Color Temperature Color Grading vs. Color Correction What is LUT What is Technicolor First Color Movie Film Colorization Process Color SchemesOpen menu What is a Color Palette What is a Color Scheme Triadic Color Scheme Monochromatic Color Scheme Analogous Color Scheme Complementary Color Scheme FREE Ebook: How to Use Color… Continue reading What is Color Theory — A Guide for Image Makers
What is a parody? Is it a joke? Is it a mock of a famous work? We’re going to get to the bottom of those questions by breaking down the history of parodies – as well as by looking at some famous parody examples in film and literature. By the end, you’ll know what makes… Continue reading What is a Parody — Definition and Examples in Film
Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms 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, both technically and… Continue reading What is Film Theory — How to Study Film (And Why)
Index & TimelineOpen menu Art Styles Explained Art History Timeline Renaissance & Classical (1400-1600)Open menu Renaissance Gothic Art Rococo Baroque Classicism Neoclassicism Romanticism & Contemporary (1827-20XX)Open menu Avant Garde Post Impressionism Romanticism Expressionism Contemporary Art Modern Art Over the millennia, the world has seen a vast array of art styles. But what are they? We’re… Continue reading Art Styles Explained — A Complete Guide to 40+ Art Movements
There is no film industry in the world that is more prolific than that of the Indian cinema. Each year, upwards of a thousand films are released in India. Unlike Hollywood, Indian cinema encompasses different languages from a swath of regions, the largest of which is those of the Hindi-language from what we now refer… Continue reading What is Bollywood — Top Examples from India’s Movie Industry
What is Rhetoric Rhetorical DevicesOpen menu Alliteration Anaphora Hypophora Onomatopoeia Oxymoron Simile Write Your Script For Free → Abraham Lincoln famously said that “no government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall perish from this Earth.” But did you know that “the people” is a famous example of an epistrophe? So,… Continue reading What is an Epistrophe — Definition, Examples for Writers
What is steampunk? We’ve all heard the term before, but many of us have never heard it explained in an easy to understand way. Well, that ends today, because we’re going to break down everything there is to know about this genre and aesthetic, from costumes to characteristics. By the end, you’ll know what steampunk… Continue reading What is Steampunk — Definition, Origins, and Examples
What is a leitmotif? What makes it different from a theme song? How is it used in cinema? These are the questions we’re going to answer as we look at the leitmotif definition and examples. We’re also going to show you how masterclass composers like John Williams apply leitmotifs to their films. By the end,… Continue reading What is a Leitmotif? Definition and Examples
Poetry BasicsOpen menu What is a Poem How to Write a Poem What is a Stanza in a Poem What is a Haiku What is Prose What is an Ode Types of PoemsOpen menu Types of Poems Guide What is an Acrostic Poem What is an Epic Poem What is Lyric Poetry What is a… Continue reading Different Types of Poems and Poem Structures — A Writer’s Guide
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Catharsis Motif Plot Protagonist Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Foreshadowing Irony Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Write Your Script For Free → Bards rejoice, it’s time to get lyrical — everybody else, we’re here to review the mystery of iambic pentameter. At one point or another, we’ve all asked… Continue reading What is Iambic Pentameter? Definition and Examples
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate Guide to Sound Recording Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Effect Techniques What is a Sound Bridge What is The Shepard Tone How to Design a… Continue reading 25 Best Movie Soundtracks That Changed the Game
What is Deductive Reasoning What is Abductive Reasoning What is Inductive Reasoning Even if we’re not conscious of it, we use inductive reasoning everyday. But what is inductive reasoning? We’re going to answer that question by looking at inductive reasoning examples from history. We’ll also show you how to recognize it in everyday life. By… Continue reading What is Inductive Reasoning — Definition and Examples
What is Deductive Reasoning What is Abductive Reasoning What is Inductive Reasoning If you’ve ever read a detective story before, you’ve probably heard the term “deductive reasoning,” but what is deductive reasoning and what makes it different from inductive reasoning? We’re going to answer those questions by looking at some deductive reasoning examples from Monty… Continue reading What is Deductive Reasoning? Definition and Examples
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Catharsis Motif Plot Protagonist Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Foreshadowing Irony Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Write Your Script For Free → Context has the ability to change the meaning of a story and how we view its characters — but what is context? We’re going to answer that… Continue reading What is Context — Definition and Examples for Writers
There’s no doubt about it: Interstellar was one of the most mentally-stimulating blockbusters of the 2010s. As such, a lot of people were confused about the Interstellar plot, high-concept science, and bold ending. It’s time for Interstellar explained – a deep-dive in which we answer some of the biggest questions audiences asked about the film.… Continue reading Interstellar Explained — Plot, Meaning & the Ending Explained
What are the best Christmas movies of all time? This question lies at the heart of a debate that has pervaded family dinners and critic circles alike for decades. To suggest one Christmas movie is better than any other is certainly subjective, but we’re going to try to keep it as objective as we can… Continue reading 30 Best Christmas Movies of All Time — A Yuletide Playlist
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Catharsis Motif Plot Protagonist Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Foreshadowing Irony Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Write Your Script For Free → What is mood in literature and film? We often use the term “mood” in a generalized sense to describe the overall feel of situations – but is… Continue reading What is Mood in Literature & Film — A Guide for Storytellers
