If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, you’ve probably heard the term aspect ratio quite often. Before you shoot even a single frame of your film, you have to decide what aspect ratio would be best. This decision will affect the staging and framing of every single shot going forward. Why? What is aspect ratio, and why… Continue reading What is Aspect Ratio? A Formula for Framing Success
The 1980s have a special place in the pop culture canon. It turns out a lot of great movies came out in this decade, which means limiting them to a list is not as easy as it sounds. While plenty of beloved films won’t be seen here, we did our very best to make sure… Continue reading Best ‘80s Movies of all Time — A Filmmaker Playlist
Acting EssentialsOpen menu What is a Screen Test in Acting What is a Casting Call What is Method Acting What is SAG-AFTRA What is a Cold Reading What is a Demo Reel Acting TipsOpen menu How to Become an Actor as a Kid How to Become an Actor How to Overcome Stage Fright Types of… Continue reading What is Method Acting — 3 Different Types Explained
If you loved movies as a child, then there’s a good chance you owe a debt of gratitude to Steven Spielberg. He’s directed some of the best, most entertaining, and most influential films of all time. Honestly, he has about 10 films you could put as #1 on a list of his best movies, and… Continue reading Best Steven Spielberg Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers
Plot TropesOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free What is a red herring? We’re not talking about the smoked fish, we’re talking about the literary device designed to mislead and deceive the audience. We will… Continue reading What is a Red Herring — Definition and Examples in Storytelling
If you’ve ever managed a complex project, you may have wondered, what is a Gantt chart, and how can it help streamline workflows? Their timelines is one of the most effective tools for organizing tasks, tracking progress, and achieving goals. In this guide, we’ll define what is a Gantt chart, explain how to create one,… Continue reading What is a Gantt Chart? Your Project Management Solution
Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” is one of the most well-known philosophical concepts in history. As such, it only makes sense that numerous filmmakers would try to incorporate this philosophy into their movies. But what exactly is it? And why does it work so well in the context of filmmaking? We’ll look at this concept… Continue reading Plato’s Allegory of the Cave — Summary & Meaning Explained
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 → Satire is a term that is often misunderstood and for good reason. With the advent of the internet, social media, and memes, it has become the main… Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know
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 → What is theme? In the simplest terms, a theme is the subject of a story. But that definition actually does more harm than good in fully understanding… Continue reading What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples
What is Chekhov’s gun? What are setups and payoffs? The concepts are interconnected, and all three should be included in any and all screenwriting endeavors. We will provide working definitions, take a look at illustrative examples used in great films, and discuss how to best incorporate the practice into your own writing. Before we jump… Continue reading Chekhov’s Gun — How To Setup and Payoff in Screenwriting
The difference between a funny movie and a truly great comedy is subjective. So, when it comes to writing a successful comedy, many writers want to appeal to the lowest common denominator. While many screenwriters want to please all, humor isn’t universal. What makes a baby cackle in Albuquerque won’t cut the mustard in Ouagadougou!… Continue reading The Best Comedy Movies of All Time
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 Production Assistant Job Description & Duties: A Producer’s Guide
The best dark comedy movies and TV shows go for the jugular. It’s not enough to just be edgy, or even malicious. You need to tap into deep, disturbing levels of discomfort… and build a summer home. We made the ultimate list of dark comedy movies and TV shows, plus a video essay that takes a… Continue reading 70 Hilarious Dark Comedy Movies & TV Shows
Look, people. Creating killer web content is not all sunshine and lollipops. That’s a common misconception, actually. That this job is somehow an easy one. To be honest, it gets a little annoying. People assume that my job, and the job of so many others, must be some kind of total breeze. In some ways,… Continue reading 14 Best Stock Photo Sites for Creative Agencies
ProcessOpen menu How to Make a Short Film Short Film Schedule Tips Write a Short That Gets Noticed How to Storyboard a Short Film Phases of Short Film Pre-Production How Whiplash Went From a Short to a Feature ResourcesOpen menu Best Short Films of All Time Best Short Film Ideas Crowdfunding Movies The Ultimate Film… Continue reading The Top Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee
Eating, drinking, sleeping, and sex are elements of human behavior we all share. The difference with sex is that it has been deemed taboo for centuries. That moral standard has been loosening for decades now, and sex has become a more significant part of mainstream entertainment. But just because we CAN show sex in movies doesn’t… Continue reading How to Write and Direct Sex Scenes
Basics of CompositionOpen menu What is Composition Rules of Shot Composition Rules of Composition Scale Proportion BalanceOpen menu Asymmetrical Balance Symmetrical Balance Radial Balance Golden Ratio Foreground Elements Texture SpaceOpen menu Positive Space Negative Space Positive & Negative Space Fill the Frame Simplicity There are many ways to film the same scene. The director’s decisions… Continue reading Rules of Shot Composition in Film: A Definitive Guide
There is no shortage of the best film schools out there, but it seems like everyone has an opinion on where you should get your film production education.Continue reading 21 Best Film Schools Every Filmmaker Needs to Look At
Advertising EssentialsOpen menu Ethos, Pathos & Logos Explained What is Pathos What is Logos What is Telos What is Kairos What is Ethos How to AdvertiseOpen menu How to Pitch a TV Show Like a Pro How to Make a Movie Poster How to Make a Commercial How to Develop Your Brand What is a… Continue reading What is Telos — The Ultimate Guide for Video Marketing
Advertising EssentialsOpen menu Ethos, Pathos & Logos Explained What is Pathos What is Logos What is Telos What is Kairos What is Ethos How to AdvertiseOpen menu How to Pitch a TV Show Like a Pro How to Make a Movie Poster How to Make a Commercial How to Develop Your Brand What is a… Continue reading What is Kairos in Rhetoric — Definition and Examples Explained
