Midsommar is Ari Aster’s haunting folk horror film that stunned audiences in 2019. The movie follows a group of college students who travel to a pagan festival in Sweden and get caught up in a terrifying ordeal. If you’ve seen the film, then you know that description doesn’t really do the movie justice, and there’s so much that makes this film such a complex, intriguing work of art. Fortunately, we’ve analyzed every frame to bring you a comprehensive breakdown of what this movie’s really about. Here’s Midsommar explained for all you filmmakers wanting to make your own folk horror masterpiece.Naturally,…
What is a Mexican Standoff? And for that matter, how does it differ from a regular standoff? In this post, we’ll be digging into the term, breaking down its origins, clearing up common misconceptions, and taking a look at some of the best examples. We’ll also be answering the question: why is it called a Mexican Standoff? And, be sure to watch our video essay below for a guide on shooting and editing Mexican Standoff scenes.Continue reading What is a Mexican Standoff — How to Direct a Showdown
What does tank-warfare and the aspect ratio of movies have in common? Anamorphic lenses! These technological marvels are legendary in the world of cinematography. Over the past 100 years, Hollywood has constantly experimented with various innovations, seeking not just to push creativity but to increase profit. A brief journey through history will help us appreciate the anamorphic format and its unlikely invention and popularity. And if you're a filmmaker looking to get that "anamorphic lens look," we'll go over all the visual characteristics that will get the job done. Continue reading What is an Anamorphic Lens? How to Get that Cinematic…
The Office has proved to be a show that ages like fine wine. Since the series finale in 2013, the mockumentary style sitcom has only grown in popularity and continues to be binge watched around the world. With so many new fans, The Office has provoked a new conversation among its cult following: what are the best Michael Scott quotes? We were wondering the same thing. So we did our homework and compiled a list of the 25 best quotes from the inimitable world’s best boss Michael Scott.Continue reading 25 Best Michael Scott Quotes from The Office, Ranked
We’ve discussed the basics of exposure — overexposure, underexposure and what camera settings control it. But what is double exposure? It isn’t a difficult technique to master, it just takes a little practice. In this post, we'll cover the basics behind this style with some tutorials on how to do double exposure in Photoshop. Let’s define it and learn how to capture it so you can produce creatively unique images on demand.Continue reading What is Double Exposure? Techniques in Photography and Film
Mad Men is one of television's best period pieces. It not only uses the 1960s as a backdrop and setting for the show, it imbues its dialogue, story, and characters with the details of the times. Every character reflects the 1960s in one way or another. In this article, we’ll analyze how Betty Draper’s tragic character arc was developed and written to reflect the times. Be warned there are spoilers ahead.Continue reading Betty Draper: How They Wrote Mad Men’s Most Tragic Character
So, you want to make a mood board without Photoshop. Good, you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to show you how to make a mood board without Photoshop by looking at strategies both on and off-line. By the end, you’ll know how to make a mood board without Photoshop, and more importantly, where to get started.Continue reading How to Make a Mood Board Without Photoshop
Orson Welles used to say “they’ll love me when I’m dead” — well at least that’s what his protege Peter Bogdanovich said. I suppose in some sense that perspective was well-warranted. Although Welles received a lot of acclaim during his life, particularly for writing, directing, and starring in Citizen Kane, he never got the respect many contemporary critics suppose he deserved. Welles’ career was plagued by studio censorship, personal vendettas, and a desire for perfectionism. But still, Welles endured making more than a dozen movies, as well as more than a dozen unfinished movies. We’re going to rank the Best…
Cinematographers obviously play a vital role in making a film, but what decisions do they make on a daily basis? The cinematographer's primary goal is to capture the director's vision. Using lighting, camera, and composition techniques, a DP translates that vision into images. This post goes over the common considerations with explanations from working professionals. Let’s jump in so we can answer that age-old question: what does a cinematographer do?Continue reading What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains
If you’re a photographer or cinematographer, chances are you’ve used ambient light, whether you’ve known it or not. This type of light is everywhere, and can make or break your image — sometimes it helps, sometimes it's unwanted. So, what is ambient light? In this article, we’ll walk through what ambient illumination is, and how you can use it to your advantage for your next shoot.Continue reading What is Ambient Light — Lighting Techniques Explained
