Steven Spielberg Movies — Filmmaking Style & Techniques

You’ve seen many Steven Spielberg movies in your time. Despite his popularity, it can be difficult to pinpoint what defines the Steven Spielberg directing style. Perhaps his control of the medium is so natural and intuitive, his trademarks and cinematography techniques go unnoticed in a good way. We get lost in a Spielberg movie in… Continue reading Steven Spielberg Movies — Filmmaking Style & Techniques

How to Make a Storyboard Template — A Step-by-Step Guide

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 Make a Storyboard Template — A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Become a Director: Learning from Seasoned Filmmakers

Becoming a film director isn’t a straight path. There are multiple ways of getting there but, ultimately, there’s only one driving force: you. Regardless of your education or current skill set, if you want to make movies, you will. But that’s easier said than done, so let’s go a little deeper to answer how to… Continue reading How to Become a Director: Learning from Seasoned Filmmakers

30 Best Cinematography Books That Actually Inspire

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 30 Best Cinematography Books That Actually Inspire

Storyboard Dimensions — Sizes, Layouts and Format 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 Storyboard Dimensions — Sizes, Layouts and Format Explained

What Does a Director Do? The Film Director’s Job Description

Directorial DepartmentOpen menu What Does an Assistant Director Do What Does a 2nd Assistant Director Do What is a Casting Director What is a Second Unit Director What Does a Director Do Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Free Film Crew Management Software → Knowing precisely what a director does in every stage of a… Continue reading What Does a Director Do? The Film Director’s Job Description

Camera Angles Explained: The Different Types of Camera Shot Angles in Film

Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Low Angle Shot Eye Level Shot High Angle Shots Dutch Angle Shot Overhead Shot Aerial Shot Explore More ShotsOpen menu All Camera Shots Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List You’re looking for a list of the different camera angles in film, but you also want great examples that… Continue reading Camera Angles Explained: The Different Types of Camera Shot Angles in Film

Blocking and Staging a Scene like Spielberg, Kubrick, and Inarritu

Watching a scene is easy, but blocking and staging a scene effectively is a complex dance between actors and your camera. When deciding where to position your actors and your camera, you’re essentially solving a puzzle — a puzzle with more than one solution. So, how is it done? In this post, we’re going to show you… Continue reading Blocking and Staging a Scene like Spielberg, Kubrick, and Inarritu

How to Make a Film Mood Board — Setting, Colors & Characters

Mood Board Essentials & TemplatesOpen menu Mood Board Templates Top Mood Board Apps What is a Mood Board How to Make a Mood Board Mood Board Layout Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Aesthetic Mood Board Writer Mood Board Photography Mood Board Graphic Design Mood Board Wedding Mood Board Film Mood Board Create… Continue reading How to Make a Film Mood Board — Setting, Colors & Characters

Camera Framing Techniques: Frame Shots Like a Master Filmmaker

You’re looking for a list of the different types of camera shot framing in film, but you also want great examples that come with clear explanations of when and why to use specific shot frames. After our video detailing the main types of camera framing, we’ll provide you with downloadable shot lists that you can… Continue reading Camera Framing Techniques: Frame Shots Like a Master Filmmaker

What is Chiaroscuro in Film? Definition, Techniques, & Examples

BasicsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Practical Lighting When is Golden Hour E-BooksOpen menu FREE Ebook: Camera Lenses Explained… Continue reading What is Chiaroscuro in Film? Definition, Techniques, & Examples

James Cameron Movies: Ranked with the Filmmaker in Mind

It’s time to stop underrating James Cameron movies. He’s not perfect but he’s better than he gets credit for. Cameron is an auteur working at the highest level of the studio system, like a proto-Christopher Nolan. His budgets are record-breaking but so are the box office returns.Continue reading James Cameron Movies: Ranked with the Filmmaker… Continue reading James Cameron Movies: Ranked with the Filmmaker in Mind

The 49 Best Short Films of All Time That Every Filmmaker Can Learn From

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 The 49 Best Short Films of All Time That Every Filmmaker Can Learn From

Deep Focus Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now → W hen you’re shooting a scene there are a lot of choices to be made about what’s in the audience’s focus. If you want… Continue reading Deep Focus Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Breaking the Fourth Wall: Definition, Meaning and Examples

We’ve all seen a film or TV show breaking the fourth wall. It’s hard to miss, and that’s why breaking the 4th wall is a really big filmmaking decision that can polarize your audience. Is your project right for this technique? If so, when should you do it? We’ve included plenty of breaking the fourth… Continue reading Breaking the Fourth Wall: Definition, Meaning and Examples

The Aerial Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Low Angle Shot Eye Level Shot High Angle Shots Dutch Angle Shot Overhead Shot Aerial Shot Explore More ShotsOpen menu All Camera Shots Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List When you’re inside a movie or TV show most of the world is built around the character’s POV. That… Continue reading The Aerial Shot: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology

Browse Film Terms  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology

What is CGI? How CGI Works in Movies and Animation

BasicsOpen menu What is Post-Production What is VFX What are Special Effects What is Virtual Production What is CGI What is Matte Painting ProcessOpen menu How to Move the Anchor Point in After Effects How to Mask in Premiere Pro Best After Effects Plugins Best Free After Effects Templates Inception Special Effects How They Shot… Continue reading What is CGI? How CGI Works in Movies and Animation

The Rack Focus: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now → Have you ever been watching a movie or TV show and noticed a subtle change in depth of field that revealed some new… Continue reading The Rack Focus: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles