Sam Kench is an internationally-awarded screenwriter, independent filmmaker, and film critic. Lover of foreign films; hater of American remakes.
What is a pilot episode? It is impossible to overstate just how vital a good pilot is within the television industry. In this post, we will explain what a pilot episode is, where it got that name, how a pilot gets made, and how it becomes a show. We will finish up by looking at… Continue reading What is a Pilot Episode — Definition, Script Examples & History
What is a vignette? The term has the potential to be confusing because it means slightly different depending on which story-telling medium is the topic of discussion. Even within filmmaking, the term can also be used to describe two completely different things. We will sort through this confusion and break down each meaning of ‘vignette.’… Continue reading What is a Vignette in Writing — Definition & Examples Explained
What is a subgenre? If you are familiar with what a genre is, then you are already halfway there. But there might be more to subgenres than meets the eye. In this post, we will be providing a definition for “subgenre,” looking at examples, and exploring how multiple genres and subgenres can nest within each… Continue reading What is a Subgenre — Definition, Examples & How They Work
Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms On a low-budget independent film with a scaled back crew, there are not too many film crew positions to keep track of. When we start looking at larger productions, however, the amount of distinct film crew positions can balloon to massive numbers. Gaining an understanding of the function of… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)
What is a lined script? How do you make one? And what is it used for? Read on to find the answers to these questions and step-by-step instructions for lining a script. Let’s start with a quick definition. A lined script is a separate version of the screenplay that includes vertical lines denoting how much… Continue reading How to Line a Film Script — A Guide for Script Supervisors
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 → The horror genre… Continue reading 10 Best Horror Movie Scripts to Download, Read & Study
What is a period piece? If the term transports your mind to a faraway time with big, puffy dresses and flowery language, then you might be on the right track. We’ll start out by defining what exactly constitutes a period piece, then we’ll dig a little deeper before taking a look at some great examples… Continue reading What is a Period Piece — How Movies Transport Us to the Past
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 What is Tweening in Animation — Origins and Process Explained
What is the fastest and most efficient way to clearly communicate all of the vital information about an upcoming photoshoot to all of the necessary people? The answer is: with a call sheet. We created our own custom photoshoot call sheet template, and you can download it for free. We will break down the various… Continue reading Photoshoot Call Sheet Template — Free Download and Guide
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 What is Cel Animation — Examples, Techniques & History
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 What are Keyframes in Animation — Origins and Modern Uses
What is a C-stand? Anyone who has been on a professional film set is sure to be familiar with C-stands and their various permutations, but to the general public and plenty of no-to-low budget filmmakers, the C-stand remains a piece of equipment that often goes undefined. No longer will this ubiquitous piece of gear remain… Continue reading What is a C-Stand — Types, Functions & Proper Usage Explained
BasicsOpen menu What is a Green Screen? Blue Screen vs Green Screen DIY Green ScreenOpen menu How to Make a Green Screen How to Use a Green Screen Green Screen Color Green Screen Lighting EditingOpen menu Best Green Screen Software Best Green Screen Background Videos How to Use a Green Screen in iMovie One of… Continue reading Best Green Screen Software for Film & Video Makers
ProcessOpen menu How to Make a Short Film Short Film Schedule Tips Write a Short That Gets Noticed How to Storyboard a Short Film Phases of Short Film Pre-Production How Whiplash Went From a Short to a Feature ResourcesOpen menu Best Short Films of All Time Best Short Film Ideas Crowdfunding Movies The Ultimate Film… Continue reading How to Write a Short Film Script Without Dialogue
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 What is suprematism in art? Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with supremacism. The suprematist art style… Continue reading What is Suprematism — Art Movement Characteristics
How do you write an action scene in a screenplay? How specific and technical should you get? Or, is it better to leave the action description simplistic with the knowledge that a director, choreography, and stunt coordinator will be working out the details of the action? Different screenwriters answer these questions in different ways, and… Continue reading How to Write an Action Scene in a Screenplay — 3 Methods
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 What is kinetic art? Unlike with other artistic styles, kinetic art as a term has less to do… Continue reading What is Kinetic Art — Movement, Artists, and History Explained
What is social commentary? You may have heard the term thrown around in video essays or seen it pop up in book, music, or film analysis without knowing precisely what it means. In this post, we will define social commentary, examine the different ways it can manifest in cinema, and take a look at a… Continue reading What is Social Commentary — Definition, Examples & Meaning
If you are new to the world of filmmaking, it is possible to be overwhelmed by the wave of production terminology and industry lingo that you are expected to know. One such term is the Abby Singer shot. You may hear the phrase called out by the 1st AD or another production member, and today,… Continue reading What is an Abby Singer Shot — Definition and History Explained
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 What is Primitivism? The answer is complex and requires some historical and cultural context to fully understand. Primitivism… Continue reading What is Primitivism — Movement, Style & Artists Explained
