By this point in time, there is a strong chance you have at least heard of IMAX. It’s often sold to potential customers as the most immersive way to watch a movie, featuring a larger-than-average screen and the highest quality imagery and sound. The ticket price is higher, too. But what is IMAX, and how… Continue reading What is IMAX and How It Changed the Way We Watch Movies
When making a movie, it can be a struggle to decide between the two most common widescreen aspect ratios: 1.85:1 and 2.35:1. For anyone who has ever felt this struggle, there is an ideal middle ground. We’re talking about the 2:1 aspect ratio which has seen a resurgence in the last decade. In this article, we’ll… Continue reading What is 2:1 Aspect Ratio (Univisium) & Why Are Directors Switching Over?
From 1929-1934, Hollywood produced some of the 20th century’s most progressive films. This period of time — and the films that were made within it — is widely known as Pre-Code Hollywood. But what is Pre-Code Hollywood? It was more than just a few years in cinema history — it was a liberal shift in… Continue reading What is Pre-Code Hollywood? The Most Risque Pre-Code Movies Explained
When it was announced that 1917 would be shot to look like a single take, it quickly became one of the most anticipated movies of the year. While the performances and screenplay were both incredible, many left the theatre wondering the same thing. How was 1917 filmed? While there is no single answer to this… Continue reading 1917 One Shot Explained — How Roger Deakins Shot a “Oner” Film
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Catharsis Motif Plot Protagonist Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Foreshadowing Irony Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Write Your Script For Free → Motifs are a great way to reinforce the theme of your project. Understanding how to build motifs that work requires strong attention to detail and a clear… Continue reading What is a Motif? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers
With such a wealth of new movies to rent on Amazon Prime it can be hard to keep track of and parse new movies as they are added to the platform. Here we cover the best new movies on Amazon Prime in May 2020. You can also read our list of the best overall films… Continue reading Best New Movies on Amazon Prime (July 2020)
How many hours have you spent combing through streaming services looking for the next great show to watch? If you’re anything like me, then it’s probably more than you’re comfortable admitting. But don’t fret, we’ve scoured the depths of the seven seas of streaming to deliver you our take on what the best shows to… Continue reading Best Shows on Amazon Prime Video (July 2020)
Every month, dozens of movies arrive on Netflix, but it can be a hassle keeping track of all the great content that comes and goes. Don’t fret though, we’re going to break down the best new movies on Netflix each month to help you decide on what to watch. These are the best of what’s… Continue reading Best New Movies on Netflix, Ranked for Filmmakers (July 2020)
Netflix has garnered a reputation in recent years for being the go-to destination for TV streaming. That’s because the service has a little something for everyone — dramas, comedies, documentaries, mockumentaries, and anything else you might think up. But finding the next great show to watch on Netflix can be difficult. Don’t worry though, we’ve… Continue reading Best Shows on Netflix Right Now, Ranked for Filmmakers (July 2020)
There are plenty of great shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, but HBO still reigns king in the world of TV streaming. Since 1972, the ‘Home Box Office’, better known as HBO has produced dozens upon dozens of top-tier TV shows. We’re going to rank the best shows on HBO, from ‘72 to 2020… Continue reading The Best Shows on HBO Right Now (July 2020)
Although the Western genre is past its hay day, it undoubtedly has inspired the work of some of today’s most prolific filmmakers and it is hard to hear the word “Western” without thinking of the best Clint Eastwood movies of all time. Eastwood proved to be a major factor in defining the genre but has… Continue reading Best Clint Eastwood Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
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 The Best Quentin Tarantino Songs Used in His Movies
Broad City. Burning Love. Childrens Hospital. Before these shows made it onto TV, they began as web series. Making your own series to publish online is a great way to get your voice out there. You can make precisely the show you want without network interference, and you may even end up getting more work… Continue reading How to Make a Web Series: A Filmmaker’s Guide in 4 Steps
The Western is the quintessential American film genre. From the 1930s to the 1960s, American cinemas were filled with cowboys saving towns and fending off outlaws. While the classic Western may have gone out of fashion, it didn’t disappear completely. Instead, it morphed into what we know as the Neo Western. Let’s see what separates… Continue reading The Best Modern Western Movies of All Time — Neo-Westerns Ranked
Joker Script DownloadBest Joker ActorsJoker ControversyJoker Movie Review Todd Phillips’ Joker (2019) sparked considerable controversy leading up to its release. Joker deals with many thematically disturbing elements — mental health, political violence, and an “incel”-like protagonist. Despite these concerns surrounding the Joker movie controversy, the movie did not inspire violence. Quite the opposite actually. So… Continue reading Is ‘Joker’ Dangerous? The Joker Movie Controversy Explained
Joel and Ethan Coen are filmmakers that play by their own rules, and they seem to delight in this defiance. The plots are never straight forward — they are either slightly confusing and downright impossible. The satisfying ending you were hoping for may or may not come. Who are the Coen Brothers? And what makes… Continue reading The Best Coen Brothers Movies Ranked (and Their Desk Motifs)
There’s no denying that Terry Gilliam’s films have left an indelible imprint on the landscape of cinema. Gilliam got his start as a cartoonist in L.A. before joining the Monty Python. While with the Pythons, Gilliam worked as an animator, writer, director, and actor. After the group went their separate ways in the early 1980s,… Continue reading The Best Terry Gilliam Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers
Imagine one day you’re writing movies or acting in a major studio’s film, and the next, you can’t find work anywhere. Such is the way of blacklisting. The practice, in one form or another, is still active today but not nearly as rampant as it once was. For an accurate Hollywood Blacklist definition, we need… Continue reading Blacklist Definition and Meaning — The Hollywood Blacklist Explained
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 Catchlight Photography: How to Capture Eye Light with Purpose
With such a wealth of new movies to rent on Amazon Prime it can be hard to keep track of and parse new movies as they are added to the platform. Here we cover the best new movies on Amazon Prime in May 2020. You can also read our list of the best overall films… Continue reading Best New Movies on Amazon Prime (June 2020)
