Cowboy shots are something we see all the time in film and television. Even from the name alone, an image comes to mind but when should you use one in your film? You don't have to be shooting a Western to use the iconic cowboy shot camera angle. In this post, we're going to start in the Old West but we'll look at some of the ways modern filmmakers have embraced the cowboy shot film technique. So, get your holsters ready and let's ride.Continue reading The Modern Cowboy Shot — Types of Shots in Film, Explained
Dof basicsShallow dofDeep dofDOF GuideTYPES OF CAMERA FOCUS The best photographers and cinematographers use depth of field knowledge for precise control over their images.Establishing your own visual style should occur before you step on set, and it begins with understanding how to control your depth of field.Continue reading The Essential Guide to Depth of Field [with Examples]
Why do filmmakers use over-the-shoulder shots? Can they signal to the viewer that two characters are, at the very least, on the same page? The OTS shot is one of the most commonly used shots in film and television, but often it's used without proper application of advanced cinematic language. We'll break down the psychology so your OTS shots drive home an emotional concept.Continue reading Over-the-Shoulder Shot: Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
There are multiple ways audiences can learn about who a character is. How they talk, how they dress, how they move, and how they interact with other characters all reflect a character’s personality. To capture a character as a whole, filmmakers often use the full shot. In this article, we’ll answer, "What is a full shot" along with the various reasons to use a full shot in film. We’ll also take a look at some iconic full shots from some of cinema’s best films of all time. Let’s dive in. Continue reading What is a Full Shot in Film? Types of…
What is a lined script? And what does it have to do with your shot list?On the surface, a shot list is exactly what it sounds like. A list of shots that communicates to your crew what camera shots you intend to get. Yet we all know once you get to set, issues arise and something always has to give. And that something is often your favorite camera angles.But with a little forethought and a lined script, we can prepare our shoot to make sure we get everything we need. Here's how you do it.Continue reading How to Make a Lined Script…
We've all seen films that constantly use medium shots, but how often do you notice? Every shot and edit matters. Today we're focusing on the medium shot. The visual glue of many scenes and films.Continue reading Medium Shots: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
The dolly zoom is one of the most discussed cinematic techniques. You can use them in many ways, but a great director will find a logical reason to include them. When paired with the correct story moment, the dolly zoom can draw the audience into the story and the character's state of mind. Continue reading What is a Dolly Zoom — Scene Examples of the Vertigo Effect
Telling a story isn’t enough. You have to grab your audience by the eyeballs. Whether you’re a seasoned director or just learning what framing in film is, the way we see things is just as important as the things themselves. In his video essay on Drive, Tony Zhou uncovers 4 simple rules of composition that can make your shots out-of-the-box.Continue reading Rules of Composition: How to Show Deeper Meaning in a Single Frame
It’s 2021, and just about every cell phone you can get your hands on has a camera. In some cases, the cameras on your phone rival ones used by professional photographers and filmmakers. But for most of us, the cameras that come on a cell phone do just enough to satisfy. As such, we have provided a list for you to look through, featuring the best cell phone cameras available today. For your convenience, we have ranked them in order of price, from lowest to highest. Continue reading Best Cell Phone Camera — Latest Models, Prices, & Features
You’re an aspiring filmmaker, and dream of becoming a famous movie director. Or maybe you just really want to make films that matter, and connect to people on a deeper level. That’s really great and all, but how do you plan to do that? The first step in making movies, aside from writing the script, is planning out how it will get filmed. That’s where shot lists come in. So, what is a shot list? This post will define it, and answer why they’re so vital to getting the best shots.Continue reading What is a Shot List? Examples and a…
