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).
It’s no easy task cutting down a list of the best Sci-Fi movies of all time to just 25, as Sci-Fi has been on the bleeding edge of storytelling since the beginning of time. Although some Sci-Fi stories have parabolic elements of warning, most do so with optimistic intentions. Those that don’t typically are more… Continue reading 25 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
What’s the most difficult aspect of writing dialogue? Ask any ten writers and you’re bound to get a range of answers. But “getting started” is no doubt one of the most popular. So, we’re going to break down some dialogue prompts to kickstart your writing process! By the end, you’ll have options to choose where… Continue reading Dialogue Prompts for Writers — Lines To Get You Writing Now
Editing EssentialsOpen menu What is Film Editing Types of Editing Transitions How to Become a Film Editor What is a Film Cut What is a Freeze Frame DownloadablesOpen menu Free Video Transitions Free Sound Effects for Video Editing Best Free Video LUTs Ding Sound Effect Download Muzzle Flash Effect Download Free Fog Overlay Templates Editing… Continue reading Best Laptops for Video Editing: A Buying Guide
Suspension of disbelief gives artists the liberty to create worlds in a realm separate from reality. But what is suspension of disbelief? Where did suspension of disbelief originate? And why is suspension of disbelief important to artists and connoisseurs of art? We’re going to answer those questions by defining suspension of disbelief and by looking… Continue reading What is Suspension of Disbelief — How It Works in Storytelling
What is Deductive Reasoning What is Abductive Reasoning What is Inductive Reasoning Context clues are integral to how we make sense of things. But what are context clues? And why are context clues important? We’re going to break down context clues in sentences and situations so that you can see why they’re such an important… Continue reading What are Context Clues — Definition, Examples & Purpose
Brad Pitt is one of the most iconic American actors today, simultaneously revered for his good looks and depth as an actor. In this list, we’re going to rank the best Brad Pitt movies. The ranking of these films are in regards to their quality and impact, not Brad Pitt’s performance. But every film on the… Continue reading Best Brad Pitt Movies List — Top Films Ranked
Most filmmakers have heard RED digital cinema cameras, but there have been so many changes to their lineup over the years that keeping track can be a bit daunting. This post will make things simple. We’ll explain the RED video camera lineup in layman’s terms, and then provide a look back at RED cameras all so… Continue reading Which RED Camera to Buy? RED Digital Cinema Lineup Explained
Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu What is a Storyboard Best Storyboard Examples How to Storyboard Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Best Storyboard Software Storyboard TemplatesOpen menu Storyboard Templates Pack How to Make a Storyboard Template How to Use a Storyboard Template Music Video Storyboard Template Commercial Storyboard Templates Movie Storyboard Template Create Your Free Storyboard Here →… Continue reading How to Storyboard a Video — Examples & Techniques Explained
If you want to live stream content, then you’re going to need a live stream camera. But what is a live stream camera? Well, a live stream camera is pretty much any camera that’s capable of streaming in real-time. Before we rank the best streaming cameras, consider what you might want to use a live stream… Continue reading Best Streaming Cameras — Gaming, Video, PC, Mac
Every camera needs a camera bag – but what’s the best camera bag to buy? We’re going to break down a variety of different camera bags by looking at their features, specs, and prices – as well as reviews from industry professionals. Fear not dropping your camera anymore – the perfect camera bag is just… Continue reading Best Camera Bag — Features, Specs, Reviews & Prices
If you have an interest in recording on-screen content, then you may be looking for a capture card. But what is a capture card? In simplest terms, a capture card is a device that’s used in conjunction with a computer to capture on-screen content and encode it for playback. Now, what is the best video… Continue reading Best Capture Cards for Streaming — Buying Guide
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 → Canon has been a top camera and lens… Continue reading 31 Best Canon Camera Lenses [Buying Guide]
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
How to Format a ScreenplayOpen menu Scene Headings Sluglines Action / Description Dialogue Transitions TV Script Format 101 FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free What is a chyron? It’s a word we hear every now and then and seem to always wonder: what the heck does that mean? Well not… Continue reading What is a Chyron — Definition, Examples and How to Write Them
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 Classicism is an important term to understand for anybody interested in art – but what is classicism art?… Continue reading What is Classicism Art — Definition, Examples & History
What is a character sheet? In simplest terms, a character sheet is a sheet for a character. However, there’s a lot more to the term than just that. We’re going to look at character sheet examples from Dungeons & Dragons to animation storyboards to see how artists across disciplines use them. By the end, you’ll… Continue reading What is a Character Sheet — Definition and Examples Explained
Internal dialogue is one way writers communicate the inner-thoughts of their characters – but what is internal dialogue? I should say something like worry not, okay – worry not! I will explain internal dialogue with examples from American Psycho, Seinfeld, and more. By the end, you’ll know how to implement internal dialogue in prose and… Continue reading What is Internal Dialogue — Definition, Examples & Techniques
Oh, mockumentaries how I love thee. Mockumentaries – or simply mock documentaries – have entertained and inspired the world for decades. But what is a mockumentary? We’re going to break down the history of this subgenre, including the first mockumentary, by looking at iconic examples from Woody Allen, Christopher Guest, and more. By the end,… Continue reading What is a Mockumentary — Definition, Examples & History
A show bible is an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production. But what is a show bible? And why is it an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production? We’re going to answer those questions. Then we’ll show you some show bible examples. By the end, you’ll know why these documents are important and… Continue reading What is a Show Bible — Examples and FREE Template
Here there be dragons, boogeymen, and blood-sucking vampires! Scary stories have frightened and allured audiences for thousands of years. So, whether you’re looking to establish a new form of horror, or riff on an existing genre trope, you’ve come to the right place, because we’re going to break down scary story ideas. Dim the candlelight,… Continue reading Scary Story Ideas — 18 Prompts For Horror & Thriller Writers
