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

16 Best Superhero Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

Which are the best superhero movies of all time? Studios pour buckets of money into these films and the “arms race” for better stunts and production value has now been raging for decades. We’re going to tell you which are the 15 best superhero movies of all time based purely on the story, the filmmaking, and… Continue reading 16 Best Superhero Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

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

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

What is a Zoom Lens? Definition and Examples in Photo and Film

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 → Choosing a lens is a key determinant to… Continue reading What is a Zoom Lens? Definition and Examples in Photo and Film

What is a Tracking Shot — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples

What is a tracking shot? They are really fun to watch, but difficult to film. We’ve put together a list of the best tracking shots of all time. Then we break down everything you’ll need to consider when blocking and planning a tracking shot in your own projects.Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot —… Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples

Academy Award for Best Director — Oscar Winners Ranked

Major Awards:Open menu Best Picture Best Director Best Actress Best Supporting Actress Best Actor Best Supporting Actor Writing & Visual:Open menu Best Original Screenplay Best Adapted Screenplay Best Film Editing Best Visual Effects Best Cinematography Animation & Production:Open menu Best Animated Short Film Best Animated Feature Film Best International Feature Film Best Costume Design Best… Continue reading Academy Award for Best Director — Oscar Winners Ranked

25 Best Opening Scenes in Movies & What Makes Them Great

In psychology, there’s something called the serial position effect. It means people tend to remember what comes first and last, not what occurs in the middle. Filmmakers know this phenomenon all too well. Combine that with today’s stream-ability and countless options… and the opening to a film is as important as ever. Today, we study the best… Continue reading 25 Best Opening Scenes in Movies & What Makes Them Great