Best Nolan MoviesNolan’s Directing StyleNolan Directing Tips Nolan’s CirclesNolan’s Shot List Which are the best Christopher Nolan movies? How do you rank them against each other? Do Christopher Nolan films get better over the years, and how will Nolan’s next movie measure up? We’ve ranked the Chris Nolan filmography not by box office haul, but… Continue reading Top 11 Christopher Nolan Movies, Ranked Worst to Best
Assistant Directors (the 1st AD) are one of the most valuable crew members on any production. Your 1st AD is responsible for on-set communication, department coordination, maintaining the shooting schedule, conflict resolution, and safety. Continue reading 13 Ways You Can Become a Better 1st AD
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 → When was the last time you shed a tear while watching a film? Can you recall the specific scene? Many describe this as a “good cry.” How… Continue reading What is Catharsis — Definition & Examples for Storytellers
Stages of Film ProductionOpen menu Film Financing Film Production Pre-Production Post-Production Film Distribution Film Marketing Free Production Calendar Software → Distribution is an integral part of the film industry; without it, a film doesn’t get seen. Yet for many filmmakers starting out their careers, the distribution process is murky and intimidating. This is compounded by… Continue reading What is Film Distribution — The Ultimate Guide for Filmmakers
Shooting Schedule EssentialsOpen menu What Is a Shooting Schedule How to Plan a Film Shoot How to Create Multiple Shooting Schedules How to Create a One Line Schedule What is the Dood Report DOOD Report Explained Shooting Schedule Pro-TipsOpen menu How to Make a Better Shooting Schedule How to Schedule a Musical How to Find… Continue reading 10 Shooting Schedule Pro Tips to Build Momentum on Set
If you’re new to script writing, getting started can be a daunting task. Creating an accurately formatted screenplay requires scriptwriting software and some options out there can cost a bundle. We’ll take you through all the screenwriting software options, from free to a fortune, so you can decide which script software is best for you.Continue reading… Continue reading 7 Best Script Writing Software for Professional Screenwriters
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 It’s easy to mix up the different types of camera shots and types of angles. To… Continue reading 50+ Types of Camera Shots, Angles, and Techniques
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 Film Lighting Techniques — How to Get a Cinematic Look
Production DepartmentOpen menu What Does a Producer Do What Does an Executive Producer Do What Does a TV Producer Do What is An Associate Producer What is a Line Producer Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Production ResourcesOpen menu Ultimate Location Scout Cheat Sheet Shooting Schedule Template Production Crew Contact List Template Film Budget Template… Continue reading The Ultimate Pre Production Checklist for Film & Video [FREE Checklist]
How to Format a ScreenplayOpen menu Scene Headings Sluglines Action / Description Dialogue Transitions TV Script Format 101 FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free When writing a screenplay, it is key to be clear about the story you are telling and what is visually being conveyed. It is also important… Continue reading How to Write a Scene Heading in a Script — Tips & Formatting
The Best Breakup Scenes? Classifying on-screen heartbreak into a “best” category may be a little callous. But just like your ex, we’re going to do whatever we want, anyway! Just kidding. We made a list of the saddest movie breakup scenes in recent years. So however you choose to judge those gut wrenching moments in… Continue reading Best Movie Breakup Scenes (& Their Makeup Scenes)
So what is an adapted screenplay and what are the requirements for an adaptation? It’s obvious by the name that an adapted screenplay is well, adapted from something else, while an original screenplay is just that, originally created. But actually, even if you come up with an original idea, it may end up falling into… Continue reading The Adapted Screenplay: True Adaptations or Academy Categories?
There’s no shame in needing a refresher on filmmaking terms, the sooner you know who’s who, the faster you can get involved. So let’s start with one of the most basic, yet hugely significant roles, the movie director. What is a film director? Continue reading What is a Film Director? A Brief Definition of the… Continue reading What is a Film Director? A Brief Definition of the Role
Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu What is a Storyboard Best Storyboard Examples How to Storyboard Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Best Storyboard Software Storyboard TemplatesOpen menu Storyboard Templates Pack How to Make a Storyboard Template How to Use a Storyboard Template Music Video Storyboard Template Commercial Storyboard Templates Movie Storyboard Template Create Your Free Storyboard Here →… Continue reading How to Storyboard Photography — Ideas, Examples & Templates
You’ve seen many Steven Spielberg movies in your time. Despite his popularity, it can be difficult to pinpoint what defines the Steven Spielberg directing style. Perhaps his control of the medium is so natural and intuitive, his trademarks and cinematography techniques go unnoticed in a good way. This article will explore the most iconic films… Continue reading Steven Spielberg Movies — Filmmaking Style & Techniques
Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu What is a Storyboard Best Storyboard Examples How to Storyboard Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Best Storyboard Software Storyboard TemplatesOpen menu Storyboard Templates Pack How to Make a Storyboard Template How to Use a Storyboard Template Music Video Storyboard Template Commercial Storyboard Templates Movie Storyboard Template Create Your Free Storyboard Here →… Continue reading How to Make a Storyboard Template — A Step-by-Step Guide
Becoming a film director isn’t a straight path. There are multiple ways of getting there but, ultimately, there’s only one driving force: you. Regardless of your education or current skill set, if you want to make movies, you will. But that’s easier said than done, so let’s go a little deeper to answer how to… Continue reading How to Become a Director: Learning from Seasoned Filmmakers
BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur ResourcesOpen menu Essential Cinematography Books Top 100 Cinematography Films Videography Contract Template Best Cinematography Schools How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild Best Cinematography Online Courses E-BooksOpen menu FREE E-Book: Camera Lenses Explained FREE E-Book: Exposure… Continue reading 30 Best Cinematography Books That Actually Inspire
How to Format a ScreenplayOpen menu Scene Headings Sluglines Action / Description Dialogue Transitions TV Script Format 101 FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free Arguably, the most critical component to master when writing a screenplay is the scene description. Scene descriptions are what communicate cinematic action through text. How you… Continue reading How to Write a Scene Description — Script Elements Explained
How to Format a ScreenplayOpen menu Scene Headings Sluglines Action / Description Dialogue Transitions TV Script Format 101 FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free Narrative films are made up of scenes. It should come as no surprise, then, that it’s pretty important for a screenwriter to know how to write… Continue reading How to Write a Scene — Elements of a Great Scene Explained