Writing contests are great ways to build your portfolio, and hone your writing skills. For emerging writers especially, the price to pay is usually quite small, while the rewards range from getting published to receiving thousands. Not a bad trade-off. The only reasonable downside is all the extra work…for well…all the extra rejection. Ah, I’m only… Continue reading Short Story Contests Worth Your Time — Prizes, Fees, Deadlines
Types of MetaphorsOpen menu Metaphor Mixed Metaphor Visual Metaphor Implied Metaphor Dead Metaphor Extended Metaphor Write Your Script For Free → Every writer works from a place of passion. The ideas, concepts, stories or experiences that you pull from when you write can be crystal clear to you, but communicating those ideas to a larger… Continue reading What is an Extended Metaphor — Definition and Examples
For the most part, filmmakers strive to make audiences forget that they are in fact an audience watching a film. They work to make the film completely immersive. But sometimes filmmakers intentionally draw attention to the medium being used by breaking the fourth wall. While not all stories benefit from such interruptions, here are the… Continue reading 15 Movies That Break the Fourth Wall (Besides Deadpool)
James Bond movies make up one of the most successful and influential franchises in world cinema. A monument of popular culture in their own right, 007 movies have also inspired countless other flicks — not just spy movies, but also Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Asian action cinema. But which entries in the James Bond… Continue reading All James Bond Movies Ranked — The Best & Worst 007 Movies
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 How to Make a Short Film — 12 Steps from Idea to Finished Film
Most movies you watch are shot with film permits, in a studio, and with a full production crew that is doing everything “by the book.” But not every movie made has a chance to shoot in this way; even big films might have to do things on the downlow. We are, of course, talking about… Continue reading Guerilla Filmmaking — Style, Tips, Gear, and Movie Examples
Lighting techniques are the heart of great photography and cinematography. Knowing the fundamentals and learning each lighting pattern will give you more control and intention over your shots. Butterfly lighting is fundamental to portrait photography. Not only is it one of the most flattering lighting patterns, it is also extremely easy to set up. So,… Continue reading What is Butterfly Lighting — Definition, Examples and Setups
Screenplays By GenreOpen menu Comedy Sci-Fi Drama Crime TV Scripts Horror ResourcesOpen menu FREE Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Best Screenplays to Read Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Best Horror Movie Scripts to Download Write Your Script for Free → Blade Runner 2049… Continue reading Blade Runner 2049 Script PDF — Download and Analysis
What is Deductive Reasoning What is Abductive Reasoning What is Inductive Reasoning If you’ve ever read a detective story before, you’ve probably heard the term “deductive reasoning,” but what is deductive reasoning and what makes it different from inductive reasoning? We’re going to answer those questions by looking at some deductive reasoning examples from Monty… Continue reading What is Deductive Reasoning? Definition and Examples
Writing an Audio/Visual (AV) script template can be a nerve-racking undertaking. Your message may be simple, but getting it down to one-minute timing can be an intimidating thing. But as with any creative endeavor, you just need to lock down your structure. This is what a trusty AV script template (or audio visual template) does:… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets
Instant cameras have made a huge comeback in recent years – but what are the best instant cameras? We’re going to answer that question by exploring the best instant cameras from Polaroid, Fujifilm, and other manufacturers. By the end, you’ll know the price, tech specs, and features of the best instant cameras money can buy.Continue… Continue reading Best Instant Camera — Fujifilm, Kodak, Canon, Polaroid, Leica
Human beings have been telling stories for as long as we have roamed this Earth. Storytelling has gone from oral tradition to a natural part of the cinematic landscape. And in-between it all, we have learned how to end a story. Throughout our years telling stories, we have learned that there are ultimately four ways… Continue reading How to End a Story — Different Types of Story Endings Explained
Writing dual protagonists is generally frowned upon, unless you’re one of the select few who can break the rules, like Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) or the late William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). Critics argue that writers, especially amateur ones, can get lost in the logistics attempting to craft… Continue reading How to Write A Compelling Script with Dual Protagonists
Motifs are a great way to imbue a project with extra layers of meaning and substance. Through the use of intentionally placed visual or audio cues, a filmmaker can make any character, object, location, or sound into something much more than the sum of their parts. They become ideas representative of a greater theme and… Continue reading Breaking Bad Symbolism — The Right Way to Use Symbols
Even if you do not know exactly what a time lapse video is, there’s a good chance you have seen at least one before in a film, television show, or documentary. Despite their highly specific nature, time lapses find frequent use across all forms of video entertainment. Read on to learn the precise meaning of… Continue reading What is Time Lapse? Photography and Film Definitions
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 Underexposed Photography — Editing in Photoshop & Lightroom
If you ever looked into buying a cinema lens, you might recall your jaw dropping from the price tag. While there are various elements of a cinema lens that differ from photography lenses, there is one spec that should not be undervalued. All cinema lenses are parfocal lenses. What is a parfocal lens? Why are… Continue reading What is a Parfocal Lens — The Advantage of Parfocal Lenses
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 What is a Film Cut — Editing Cuts and Transitions Explained
I n the process of video production, you’ll eventually need to start location scouting. But considering permits, fees, and logistics, it can be daunting to find locations that work for your budget. But the importance cannot be overestimated. Worry not! There is hope. You don’t need a Hollywood budget to get good locations. What you need is… Continue reading 11 Essential Location Scouting Tips For All Projects & Budgets
What is the best Polaroid camera? Once upon a time, Polaroid reigned king in the world of instant cameras, but it struggled to retain market share due to growing competition and a cultural shift to video. Today, Polaroid is back – and amateur and professional photographers have begun to take notice. We’re going to rank… Continue reading Best Polaroid Camera — Models, Specs, Prices and Features
