When making a movie, whether small or large, it can always be fun to add an additional effect over the shot. You either do this for aesthetic, atmospheric, or plot reasons, all depending on the context you put it in. VHS effects are among the most popular, as can be seen in so many online… Continue reading How to Add VHS Effect to Video — Tutorials & Effect Downloads
Starting a production company can be incredibly daunting. There are so many business aspects that appear mundane and confusing to the typical creative starting a production company. But the truth is that laying down a proper foundation is essential for any new production company to grow and prosper. In this article, we outline twelve steps… Continue reading How to Start a Production Company: A Complete 12-Step Guide
Have you ever watched a movie and wondered why you loved the main character so much? Or, perhaps you found the lead to be unlikeable and dozed off halfway through? Today, we will be going over several protagonist examples, what makes them great and why the strength of the protagonist will make or break a… Continue reading Protagonist Examples — Do’s and Don’ts for Screenwriters
The Office has found its way into audiences’ hearts well after its series finale. The show has stood the test of time thanks to its dry humor, clever writing, and likable characters. Well, some likable characters. In the Season 3 of The Office, one character became more annoying and disagreeable than any other, yet somehow… Continue reading Andy Bernard: The Office’s Most Unlikely Likable Character
The post-apocalypse can often be one of the most intense and dynamic settings for a film. There have been many excellent post-apocalyptic films over the years but also plenty of not-so-good ones. Sorting through the deluge of ’80s Mad Max knockoffs and contemporary low-budget, straight-to-DVD apocalyptic films can make finding the gems a little tricky.… Continue reading Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies — The End is the Beginning
Gimbals are the perfect tool for shooting smooth video — whether it be a wedding video, comedy sketch or a feature film. But although there are a lot of great gimbals for mobile devices and expensive cinema cameras, there aren’t many great gimbals in that ever-so-elusive median price range. Enter the Zhiyun Crane 2S —… Continue reading Zhiyun Crane 2S Gimbal — Pros, Cons, Price & Features (Review)
How would it feel to watch your perfect scene play out on the big screen? You’re one step closer, because you’re about to learn one of the most important methods to help your scene achieve a big, cinematic look. The complex master shot. By following five key steps, you’ll gain more control over the viewer’s attention,… Continue reading The Master Shot — 5 Steps to Shooting a Complex Master
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 How to Use False Color — Exposure Techniques Explained
In our digital age of digital worlds and digital filmmaking, it’s nice to be reminded of the organic and analog. This is probably why many filmmakers, both professional and amateur, enjoy employing film grain into their digital productions. Aside from eliminating all the issues and costs that can come with physical celluloid, the best film… Continue reading Free Film Grain Overlays For That Cinematic Look
BasicsOpen menu What is Post-Production What is VFX What are Special Effects What is Virtual Production What is CGI What is Matte Painting ProcessOpen menu How to Move the Anchor Point in After Effects How to Mask in Premiere Pro Best After Effects Plugins Best Free After Effects Templates Inception Special Effects How They Shot… Continue reading 12 Best Free After Effects Templates [FREE Downloads]
Color BasicsOpen menu What is Color Temperature Color Grading vs. Color Correction What is LUT What is Technicolor First Color Movie Film Colorization Process Color SchemesOpen menu What is a Color Palette What is a Color Scheme Triadic Color Scheme Monochromatic Color Scheme Analogous Color Scheme Complementary Color Scheme FREE Ebook: How to Use Color… Continue reading What is a Complementary Color Scheme — Definition, Examples
Types of LensesOpen menu Lens Basics Prime Lens Zoom Lens Anamorphic Lens Focal LengthsOpen menu Wide Angle Lens (14mm – 35mm) Standard (35mm – 70mm) What is a 50mm Lens Good For 35mm vs 50mm Lenses Telephoto Lens (70mm – 200mm) Create your free shot list → Finding the right lens for your camera can… Continue reading The Different Types of Camera Lenses for Video and Photography
Eons ago, the Gods handed down a timeless sound to be forever known as Rock and Roll. Shortly afterward, it became heavily commercialized and manifested in countless forms throughout pop culture, including on the silver screen. Rock and Roll came with its own philosophy — a collective manifesto demanding an end to war and capitalist… Continue reading Top Of The Pops: The 20 Best Rock and Roll Movies Ever Made
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 → Believe it or… Continue reading Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained [PDF Downloads]
Queer theory is a complex, multi-faceted subject that’s difficult to cover in a single post. So we’re going to try to break it down into more digestible pieces. We’ll give you a basic overview of Queer Theory, but mainly we’ll provide some examples from films and TV shows that have been groundbreaking in terms of… Continue reading What is Queer Theory? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers
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 → Christopher Nolan has… Continue reading Batman Begins Script PDF Download: Quotes, Characters & Plot
In film, there are memorable characters and there are iconic characters. The latter is a result of great writing, directing, and acting. Auteur directors flesh out these iconic characters to create a whole person. The screen has been graced with iconic characters like Jack in The Shining, Travis in Taxi Driver, or for this article,… Continue reading Daniel Plainview: There Will Be Blood True Story Explained
Color BasicsOpen menu What is Color Temperature Color Grading vs. Color Correction What is LUT What is Technicolor First Color Movie Film Colorization Process Color SchemesOpen menu What is a Color Palette What is a Color Scheme Triadic Color Scheme Monochromatic Color Scheme Analogous Color Scheme Complementary Color Scheme FREE Ebook: How to Use Color… Continue reading What are LUTs? The Ultimate Guide to Color Grading
If you’ve ever watched a show, movie, or commercial with words on the screen, you’ve likely seen lower thirds at work. But what is a lower third? And how can you create them effectively, while maintaining aesthetic integrity? A slick design with strategic font and color choices will add a layer of professionalism to your… Continue reading What is a Lower Third? Definition and Design Strategies
The script has been written and your project has progressed to the point where you’re ready to start planning the production, but maybe it’s your first time. If you didn’t happen to go to film school like myself, it can be hard to know where to start and what comes next. This is where I… Continue reading How to Set Up a Project for Success Using Task Cards
