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).
How does one create a great tracking shot in film? What strategies are available to keep the shot interesting for the audience without becoming too chaotic? With this example from Martin Scorsese’s excellent film The Wolf of Wall Street, we’ll show you how a master filmmaker uses eye lines, blocking, and framing to create a… Continue reading The Wolf of Wall Street Long Take — Director’s Playbook
It’s been nearly two decades since the release of Sam Mendes’ gangster-epic Road to Perdition and we thought it would be a good idea to look back at what made it so great. Mendes may be more famous for working on films like American Beauty, Skyfall, and 1917, but his work as the director of… Continue reading Road to Perdition: Revisiting the Sam Mendes Classic
Screenplays By GenreOpen menu Comedy Sci-Fi Drama Crime TV Scripts Horror ResourcesOpen menu FREE Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Best Screenplays to Read Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Best Horror Movie Scripts to Download Write Your Script for Free → Goodfellas is one… Continue reading Goodfellas Script: Characters, Quotes, and Screenplay PDF Download
Often regarded as one of the worlds greatest actors, Robert De Niro is also one of the most prolific. According to IMDB, De Niro has acting credits in 120 different productions! Within those 120 performances are some of cinema’s finest. In this list, we’re going to rank the top Robert De Niro movies, and the… Continue reading The Tough Guy — 20 Best Robert De Niro Movies
Not many actors in the history of Hollywood have enjoyed the heights of success that Marlon Brando has. From working with Tennessee Williams on the stage, to location shoots in Manilla with Francis Ford Coppola, Brando had seen the world of storytelling unlike many others. We’re going to look back at the best movies of… Continue reading The Contender: A Marlon Brando Best Movies List
The Twilight Zone is one of the greatest television series ever made. From intimate stories like “The Lonely” to sprawling ones like “Execution,” The Twilight Zone is widely known as a series that entertains and challenges its audience in equal measure. This is a list of the best Twilight Zone episodes ranked with a look… Continue reading 30 Best Twilight Zone Episodes Ranked
It’s hard to believe that Leonardo DiCaprio’s first Oscar win came in 2016. DiCaprio is one of the most famed and sought after film stars in the world today. In this article, we’re going to rank the top Leonardo DiCaprio movies. The ranking of these movies are in regards to their quality and impact, not… Continue reading The Superstar — 15 Top Leonardo DiCaprio Movies
Jack Nicholson is one of cinema’s most expressive actors. Throughout his career, Nicholson has starred and acted in terrific films. In this article, we’re going to look back at the best Jack Nicholson movies of his career and what made them so special. Continue reading The Madman — 15 Best Jack Nicholson Movies
The impact of Italian Neorealism in film cannot be overstated. The works of Roberto Rossellini, Federico Fellini, and other major Neorealist directors are undeniable when it comes to the influence they have had on cinema throughout the world. They also had an immense effect on a young boy growing up in Queens named Martin Scorsese. We’re… Continue reading What is Italian Neorealism in Film? Defining the Style
Mafia Movies hold a dear spot in the hearts of many filmmakers. Every filmmaker remembers the first time they saw Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather; a type of film that inspires us as cinema fans. But before we rank the best mafia movies of all time, let’s define the key characteristics.The ranking of these films… Continue reading 13 Best Mafia Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
