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 Most filmmakers understand the cinematic power of a shot with an extreme angle, but what happens when you use… Continue reading Eye Level Shots: Creative Examples of Camera Angles & Shots
Most working actors appreciate the fluidity of the medium — they can be in a movie one year, and then choose to work on a play or television series the next. Television, especially lately, has become so much richer and substantive. The level of conflict between characters, and even the dimensions and rawness of each… Continue reading Actors Making the Switch: Big Movie Stars in TV Series
Video game movies are often cast aside or plain derided by critics and fans, but we think that’s pure poppycock. It’s hard enough to bring a novel to life without angering fans, but just imagine if you were so immersed and devoted to that book that you occasionally slammed it into your hardwood floors, shattering it… Continue reading 10 Best Video Games Movies: Good Films Based On Video Games
Quentin Tarantino has created some of the most memorable scenes in film history. However, none are quite so impactful, tense, and amazing as the Inglourious Basterds opening scene.The scene lasts for just under 20 minutes, but during that time, Tarantino employs a vast array of framing techniques and angles to help tell the story to… Continue reading Writing and Directing for Suspense: Inglourious Basterds
Start with a heaping spoonful of hard-boiled grit. Add a splash of neon lights. Then liberally sprinkle on some corruption and cybernetic enhancements — now you’ve got yourself a cyberpunk movie. This subgenre is thriving in the 21st century and we’re about to get into the top 10 best cyberpunk movies. Cyberpunk, also known as neon-noir,… Continue reading 10 Best Cyberpunk Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers
There are many movies about loneliness and even more lonely people who see them. As a filmmaker, working with a lonely character poses the unique challenge of how to stand out. With framing, editing and coloring techniques at your fingertips, what combination best helps your story land?Continue reading How Spike Jonze Shoots Movies About Loneliness
Why is Brad Pitt always eating in movies? Don’t believe me? Google it. He’s been doing it in a staggering amount of his movies going back 30 years. And he’s darn good at it. Many actors like “busywork” — something for them to do that accents their performance (e.g., smoking cigarettes). Brad Pitt has mastered… Continue reading Why is Brad Pitt Always Eating in Movies? Top 5 Scenes Ranked
Joker Script DownloadBest Joker ActorsJoker ControversyJoker Movie Review Todd Phillips’ new film Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, is a realistic take on the super villain that wants viewers to empathize as they watch him descend into homicidal madness. The best moments come from capitalizing on the medium of cinema during the strongest parts of the script,… Continue reading Joker Movie Review: Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix Humanize Chaos
Filmmakers are lucky. Part of becoming a better director, screenwriter, actor, etc. involves watching other movies to learn the craft. Luckily, Netflix is a fantastic resource for hundreds of titles available for you to watch instantly. Since Halloween is coming up, we made sure to include a few spooky titles on this list just for… Continue reading 10 Best Movies on Netflix — Playlist for Filmmakers (Oct. 2019)
Editing EssentialsOpen menu What is Film Editing Types of Editing Transitions How to Become a Film Editor What is a Film Cut What is a Freeze Frame DownloadablesOpen menu Free Video Transitions Free Sound Effects for Video Editing Best Free Video LUTs Ding Sound Effect Download Muzzle Flash Effect Download Free Fog Overlay Templates Editing… Continue reading 3 Film Editing Techniques You Can Learn From Star Wars
Animation BasicsOpen menu What is Animation Types of Animation What Does an Animator Do What is Cel Animation What is Anime What is Claymation ResourcesOpen menu How to Direct an Animated Movie Animation Storyboard Tips Unreleased Aladdin Animatic Best Animated Music Videos Best Animation Software Best AnimationsOpen menu Best Animated Movies of All Time Best… Continue reading DIY Animation: What is Stop Motion Animation & How to Try it at Home
What is Production Design What Does a Production Designer Do? Production Design Tips You’re a filmmaker who wants to get the most out of your production design, mise en scene, and scene elements, but you’re not sure how to plan and maximize your visual opportunities. In this post, we’re going to breakdown the production design, mise… Continue reading Amazon’s The Boys: Mise En Scene, Production Design, and Costumes
Best Shyamalan MoviesShyamalan’s Style ExplainedThe Return of M. Night Shyamalan I’ve been a fan of M. Night Shyamalan for years, and that includes the 9-year gap between Lady in the Water and The Visit when it was challenging for everyone involved. I don’t love every Shyamalan movie, but I don’t despise his misfires either —… Continue reading Welcome to the Shyamalan-aissance — What a Twist!
Sidney Lumet directed feature films and television for over 50 years. In other words, we can learn a lot from his perspective about the film business and film directing. We were lucky enough that Lumet decided to share these thoughts in book form. “Making Movies” by Sidney Lumet is an invaluable resource for any filmmaker.… Continue reading What We Can Learn from “Making Movies” by Sidney Lumet
James Gray’s new film Ad Astra is a visually stunning journey through our solar system that explores concepts like solitude, commitment, and a focus on the essential to the exclusion of all else. Precision. That’s the word that immediately comes to mind when watching this film. Both from the impressive direction from James Gray to the flawless… Continue reading “Ad Astra” Review: A Precise Exploration of Solitude
Death scenes are just… one of those things. A good death scene is totally subjective, but these are a few that really stand out. We’re going to take a look at some of the craziest and best movie death scenes from the past decade. These are scenes that are memorable either because of their impact… Continue reading Top 10 Best Movie Deaths of the Last Decade