The 2000s were a weird time for cinema — kind of sandwiched in between the indie 90’s scene and the blockbuster 2010’s scene. But there are so many great movies that came out between 2000 and 2009, that we thought it would be interesting to look back at what made them so great. So without… Continue reading Best Movies of the 2000s — The Entire Decade Ranked
Learn How to Shot ListOpen menu What is a Shot List How to Make a Shot List How to Make a Lined Script Shot List ExamplesOpen menu Free Shot List Template How to Design Your Shot List Shot Listing Like a Pro How to Create a Shot List Like ‘Creed’ Shot Listing Efficiently Create Shot… Continue reading Mastering Shot Lists: Rian Johnson’s Movies and Directing Style (with Shot List Example)
Whip pans, swish pans, whip shot — whatever you call them, they are a great tool for creating seamless cuts and cool effects in your videos, but understanding how to build an effective whip pan is equally important. Continue reading What is a Whip Pan or Swish Pan: How to Shoot Whip Pan Transitions
Best Tarantino MoviesQT’s Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood was one of the biggest hits of 2019, and for good reason. It is a film packed with great characters, memorable scenes, and Quentin Tarantino trademarks. Join us on our Once Upon… Continue reading Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Analysis — How Tarantino Directs Suspense
Joker Script DownloadBest Joker ActorsJoker ControversyJoker Movie Review The Joker is one of the most enduring fictional characters of all time. He presents a unique challenge to actors as he embodies utter chaos, but he’s also called the clown prince of crime for a reason. While some actors lean more into the comedy than the… Continue reading Who Played the Joker? Ranking The Best Joker Actors
How do you learn from a director like Martin Scorsese? You can watch his films, and you can learn by watching his interviews. We took the best Martin Scorsese quotes from his various interviews. Then we compiled a video with examples from his films, so that way you can perfectly understand the directing tips he… Continue reading Martin Scorsese Film School: Interviews and Quotes on his Techniques
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 Even if you’ve seen only one movie in your entire life, it’s likely that you’ve seen… Continue reading What’s an Extreme Long Shot (aka Extreme Wide Shot)?
How does one create a power struggle in film? What are the techniques available that will help to communicate this battle through a visual lens? Let’s look at how Paul Thomas Anderson builds a power struggle with blocking, staging, framing, set dressing, and camera control. Make sure to read through to the end for more examples of… Continue reading There Will Be Blood: Analysis of a Power Struggle — Director’s Playbook
If you’re familiar with David Fincher movies, you know they focus on serial killers, robbers, brawlers, and murderers alike. You might also know that he has a reputation for being an exacting, obsessively technical director. However, dark subjects and visual meticulousness belie Fincher’s overlooked secret weapon: his ability to connect with actors on a human level… Continue reading The Directing Style of David Fincher
The Godfather is rightfully one of the greatest films ever made. Everything works magnificently together. But one of the most overlooked aspects of the film is how well the blocking and staging are. Today for our film analysis of The Godfather, we’re examining a pivotal scene in the character development of Michael Corleone. In particular,… Continue reading The Godfather: Analysis of a Scene — Director’s Playbook
Want to make a commercial for flaming hot cheetos starring Jim Carrey as The Mask? Maybe that’s just me. But if you’re trying to break into commercial directing, you’re going to need a great spec ad under your belt and in your reel. With countless other filmmakers putting out spec commercials to get noticed, it’s more… Continue reading 8 Ways To Make Your Spec Commercial Stand Out [with Spec Ad Examples]
Finding the right lens for your camera can vastly improve your images and overall production, but learning what you need to know about video and photo camera lenses can be expensive and time-consuming. Continue reading Camera Lens Mounts Explained: Types of Lens Mounts and Adapters
Footage is a term that’s become synonymous with film – but what is footage? And where did the term originate? Today, we’re going to get to the bottom of those questions by exploring the history of the term and by outlining a definition. By the end, you’ll know where “footage” came from and what it… Continue reading What is Footage — Definition, Origins & Types Explained
The term “caricature” conjures images of ridiculous renderings drawn by boardwalk artists – but what is caricature? And what does caricature mean? We’re going to answer those questions by exploring the history of “caricature,” as well as a definition and some examples. By the end, you’ll know what caricature means, and how to recognize it… Continue reading What is Caricature — The Art of Exaggeration Explained
Sets are crucially important to a film’s success. A great set can inform a character, story, and mood all at once. But great sets don’t just appear out of nowhere– they arise out of a keen attention to detail and tons of hard work from a set dresser. So what is set dressing, and what… Continue reading What is Set Dressing — How Film Sets Are Brought to Life
A multi camera setup can transform a production. But what is a multi camera setup? And how does multi camera video production work? We’re going to answer those questions by looking at some examples of multi camera (and single camera) setups, from TV/film to live streaming. By the end, you’ll know what a multi camera setup… Continue reading What is a Multi Camera Setup — Guide with Examples
A thumbnail storyboard is a great tool to bring ideas to life without investing huge amounts of time. But what is a thumbnail storyboard? We’re going to answer that question by defining the term, outlining some examples, and by providing a free template so that you can make some thumbnail storyboards of your own. By the… Continue reading What is a Thumbnail Storyboard (And How They Work)
An ensemble cast in cinema and theatre is like an orchestra, where a group of diverse and talented performers come together, each contributing their unique notes to create a harmonious performance. But what exactly is an ensemble cast? How does it enhance the narrative and engage audiences in a distinct way? Continue reading What is an… Continue reading What is an Ensemble Cast — Examples & Characteristics
You should be able to tell at this point that here at StudioBinder, we love our zombie movies. While due diligence always goes to the classics like Day of the Dead and Zombieland, there have been plenty of great zombie flicks that proven this genre isn’t dead quite yet. Time to enjoy the little things… Continue reading Best New Zombie Movies — Recent & Upcoming Undead Horrorshows
The impact of music in a film is undeniable. It can make a distant feeling scene feel suddenly personal and emotional. It can change the energy of an entire sequence. The credit for that largely goes to the music supervisors. These individuals play a critical role in shaping the film’s soundscape and enhancing its emotional… Continue reading What is a Music Supervisor — Definition & Job Description
