What is a Bridging Shot in Movies — Shot Types Explained

One of the most important parts of creating an engaging film is being efficient with time. As a storyteller, you must make sure that you are communicating the necessary plot information to your audience without boring them with superfluous details. A bridging shot helps filmmakers accomplish exactly this. When a story jumps from one moment… Continue reading What is a Bridging Shot in Movies — Shot Types Explained

How to Direct an Animated Movie From A to Z in 10 Steps

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 How to Direct an Animated Movie From A to Z in 10 Steps

How to Write Shots in a Script — Screenplay Formatting Tips

There is much debate around the use of shot descriptions within a screenplay. Despite many people discouraging the use of writing shots into a screenplay, there are a plethora of examples of shots being used in scripts of major feature films.  Knowing how to write shots into a screenplay is important for any screenwriter, whether you… Continue reading How to Write Shots in a Script — Screenplay Formatting Tips

Best Cinematography Online Courses — Basic & Advanced

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 Videography Contract Template Best Cinematography Schools How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild Best Cinematography Online Courses E-BooksOpen menu FREE E-Book: Camera Lenses Explained FREE E-Book: Exposure… Continue reading Best Cinematography Online Courses — Basic & Advanced

How to Write Dream Sequences in Film — Format & Story Tips

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 It is not uncommon for writers to find inspiration from their dreams. Dreams are a canvas of the subconscious that humans have innately interpreted throughout history.… Continue reading How to Write Dream Sequences in Film — Format & Story Tips

What is an L Cut in Film — Editing Transitions Explained

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 What is an L Cut in Film — Editing Transitions Explained

How to Write Text Messages in a Script — Formatting Explained

With an increasing presence of technology in film, it is important to understand how to write text messages in a screenplay. Text messaging has become not only commonplace, but necessary in day to day communication for most people. It is only appropriate that this form of communication comes up in the lives of a story’s… Continue reading How to Write Text Messages in a Script — Formatting Explained

What is Onomatopoeia — Definition and Examples in Lit. & Film

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 → Onomatopoeia can make a BANG or THUD in your mind when reading a sentence. And while that sentence is definitely not the best example of the effects… Continue reading What is Onomatopoeia — Definition and Examples in Lit. & Film

What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know

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 → Satire is a term that is often misunderstood and for good reason. With the advent of the internet, social media, and memes, it has become the main… Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know

Best Screenwriting Fellowships — Nicholl, Sundance, WB, Disney

Screenwriting ResourcesOpen menu Screenwriting Internships Screenwriting Classes Online Screenwriting Websites Screenwriting Programs Screenwriting Fellowships Screenwriting Books Free Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free Studios, producers, executives, agents, and managers are always looking for the next great up and coming screenwriter. One of the best ways they find them is through screenwriting fellowships.… Continue reading Best Screenwriting Fellowships — Nicholl, Sundance, WB, Disney

What is Broad Lighting — Types of Portrait Lighting Explained

One of the best places to start when learning about photography is learning about the different portrait lighting setups. From these lighting setups, you’ll be able to learn how light position can completely change the effect on a photo. One of the most common portrait lighting setups is broad lighting. What is broad lighting and… Continue reading What is Broad Lighting — Types of Portrait Lighting Explained

Film vs Digital Photography — The Good & Bad of Each Format

Any photographer, whether you are aspiring to be a professional or take photos as a hobby, wonders whether or not film photography or digital photography is better. Knowing the difference between the two will help you utilize each to what they’re best at.  Ultimately, this will result in better photographs. Let’s take a look at the… Continue reading Film vs Digital Photography — The Good & Bad of Each Format

What is a Parenthetical in a Script (and When to Use Them)?

Screenplays are meant to tell a cinematic story. This can be difficult, however, without the advantage of visuals. Screenwriters are stuck with using words to communicate highly cinematic scenes. One of the best tools they have to do this is the parenthetical.  Parentheticals allow screenwriters to fit in small, but vital information within a dialogue scene.… Continue reading What is a Parenthetical in a Script (and When to Use Them)?

What is a Library Shot — Types of Shots in Film Explained

The beauty behind a great edit is that sometimes the magic goes unnoticed. Using a library shot is one of those techniques that editors use that, when done correctly, slips past the audience entirely and they stay locked into the story. Library shots can save a budget, save a schedule, and quite possibly save a… Continue reading What is a Library Shot — Types of Shots in Film Explained

What is a Wipe Transition in Film — Editing Transitions Explained

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 What is a Wipe Transition in Film — Editing Transitions Explained

How Does an Editor Control the Rhythm of a Film?

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 How Does an Editor Control the Rhythm of a Film?

Split Lighting Photography — Examples, Patterns and Setups

Beginner photographers often have the misconception that to create quality portraits, you need multiple lights and complex techniques. While this is true for some portrait lighting setups, many fundamental lighting techniques are quite simplistic. The split lighting technique is perhaps the most simple and achievable of all portrait lighting setups. It is an essential technique for… Continue reading Split Lighting Photography — Examples, Patterns and Setups

The Art Department in Film — Guide to Positions, Duties, Salary

Film is a uniquely visual storytelling medium. Everything you see within the frames of a shot is carefully thought out by someone behind the scenes. More often than not, these details in the frame come from the art department. An art department is responsible for the larger creation of a film set as well as… Continue reading The Art Department in Film — Guide to Positions, Duties, Salary

What is a Euphemism — Definition, Examples for All Writers

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 → There are various literary devices that cross over from literature to everyday language. Perhaps the most commonly used literary device in everyday conversations is the euphemism. Euphemisms… Continue reading What is a Euphemism — Definition, Examples for All Writers