The best action movie actors have a magnetic combination of physical ability, “coolness,” and charisma to spare. Hollywood’s obsession with muscle-bound action stars may have lessened since the gun-toting days of the ’80s and ’90s but compelling, talented central figures remain a staple of action cinema the world over. Join us in counting down the… Continue reading 20 Best Action Movie Actors of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
Tim Burton is a curious talent. From the start of any of his movies, you instantly have the thought, “Oh yeah, this is a Tim Burton movie.” He has a unique aesthetic, showcasing the beauty in the morbid. His career has been a rollercoaster of quality. From classics to clunkers, Burton’s unique filmmaking style has… Continue reading 19 Best Tim Burton Movies — His Entire Filmography Ranked
From romantic comedies to dramas, many films require a scene where the future love interests meet. There’s love in their eyes, even if one or both of them don’t realize it yet. This is the meet cute, and if you’re writing a script with a romantic plot, then you need to know how to answer,… Continue reading What is a Meet Cute? 4 Ways to Write Them in a Screenplay
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
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 Over the millennia, the world has seen a vast array of art styles. But what are they? We’re… Continue reading Art Styles Explained — A Complete Guide to 40+ Art Movements
Exposure TriangleOpen menu What is the Exposure Triangle Aperture ISO Shutter Speed Frame Rate Create your free shot list → If you know how to adjust your aperture on your digital camera, you’re much closer to mastering lighting and nailing the right exposure for your shots. Without knowing how to use aperture, and how it… Continue reading What is Aperture — Ultimate Guide to the Camera Aperture and Depth of Field
As the voice of Rick, Justin Roiland has become a household name. In addition to providing numerous voices on Rick and Morty, he also created the iconic sci-fi/comedy series. Through that success, he has gone on to imbue his unique comedic sensibilities into various other projects. So where else can you see Roiland’s work, and… Continue reading Who Is Justin Roiland and Why His Comedy Matters
As camera technology evolves, the mirrorless vs DSLR debate is becoming more and more about preference. While DSLR cameras may have been the frontrunner for the last few years, mirrorless cameras have made such incredible advancements that both professionals and beginners alike swear by them. We’ll lay out the key differences between a mirrorless camera… Continue reading Mirrorless vs DSLR — Pros and Cons for Photo and Video
The dinner scene. We’re all familiar with an awkward dinner, but some films elevate this mundane practice into pure art. Screenwriting is all about writing what you know, and these writers knew the dinner table was an ideal place for horror, dramatic irony, and comedy. These are the best dinner scenes in movies of all… Continue reading Best Dinner Scenes in Movies and Why They Work
Types of Camera GearOpen menu Tripod Handheld Drone Dolly Steadicam Crane Shot TypesOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now → Often the most impactful inventions in history have come about as a result of a beautiful accident. In film, especially on set, beautiful… Continue reading What is a Steadicam Shot & How Did it Change Cinema?
Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) Create Free Shot List Medium close-up shots are a go-to for many directors, but understanding how to use them in… Continue reading The Medium Close-Up Shot: Definition and Examples in Film
The saying goes, “If you’re going to steal, steal from the best.” So, is Stanley Kubrick the best? For many filmmakers, the immediate answer is yes. The harder question is “why?” Like a great magician, we appreciate the end result without knowing how it was done. There is certainly a lot of “process” in his… Continue reading Stanley Kubrick Directing Style Explained in 8 Parts
The heist film has evolved over the decades, taking on many forms and styles. From sleek and chic to rough and gritty, filmmakers have taken the heist movie in every direction. The best of which have perfected the criminal ensemble, the intricate heist executions, or have taken the heist narrative into completely unique and innovative… Continue reading The Best Heist Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
Types of Camera MovementsOpen menu Static Pan Tilt Whip Pan Zoom Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) More ShotsOpen menu Aerial Track / Truck All Shots & Angles Camera Movements Explained Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now → It can be difficult to push your audience to identify with the characters while… Continue reading The Dolly Shot: How To Create Powerful Shots With Simple Movement
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate Guide to Sound Recording Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Effect Techniques What is a Sound Bridge What is The Shepard Tone How to Design a… Continue reading 23 Best Movie Scores of All Time — Filmmaker Playlist
Emotions are subjective experiences that shape our daily lives. These experiences involve both physiological and psychological changes, influencing our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. They are fundamental to our daily experiences, shaping how we interact with the world and each other. Our relationships, jobs, hobbies, and fears are all influenced by the emotions that emerge from our… Continue reading What are the Theories of Emotion — 4 Theories Explained
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate Guide to Sound Recording Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Effect Techniques What is a Sound Bridge What is The Shepard Tone How to Design a… Continue reading What is Sound Design for Film? Definition and Examples
Types of Camera GearOpen menu Tripod Handheld Drone Dolly Steadicam Crane Shot TypesOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now → Cinematographers and filmmakers have depended on camera support mechanisms since the beginning of cinema. With tripods, dollies, and cranes, the mechanisms to support… Continue reading The Handheld Shot in Film — Definition and Examples
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate Guide to Sound Recording Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Effect Techniques What is a Sound Bridge What is The Shepard Tone How to Design a… Continue reading What is a Lavalier Microphone and How Do They Work?
Ever since Disney Plus launched, fans of all ages have been able to relive classic films from their childhoods. But since it’s Disney, people can now watch Star Wars and Marvel movies with the click of a button. Disney Plus has films from decades ago, so it may feel a bit overwhelming to decide what… Continue reading Best Disney Plus Movies You Can Watch Right Now (August 2020)
