The Best Independent Films to Inspire Your Craft Right Now

The independent film landscape has monumentally shifted since Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Soderbergh were the collective mavericks of independent cinema. And what qualifies as independent is still changing. What is an independent film? Even though the definition fluctuates with time and fashion, key characteristics persist.

 

No matter how top independent films are financed, compelling and original storylines, great characters, and innovative execution of craft reign supreme. The best independent films of any given year continue to duke it out against much-hyped CGI explosions, superheroes, and space creatures in theaters and at home.

 

So what are the best indie films you need to see right now?… Keep reading

Screenwriting Terms — Abbreviations, Definitions & Vocab

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There are a lot of intricacies in scripts that present challenges to even the most veteran of screenwriters. The process of writing a script is difficult enough but the vocabulary, abbreviations, and defintions related to the job can be a bit elusive.… Keep reading

Directing Actors — How to Get the Best Performances

In narrative filmmaking, the relationship between the director and the actors is arguably the most important relationship on set. And yet, for many directors beginning their careers, the process of working with an actor can seem mystifying. No one director collaborates with actors the same way, and yet many of the most celebrated actors’ directors follow certain tenets. Study up, and you can help create a great performance.

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The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (June 2020)

Amazon Prime Video is chock-full of great movies but it’s a nightmare trying to find them. Unlike Netflix which offers strong curated playlists, Prime Video does a poor job of highlighting all the amazing movies on its service. Don’t fret though, we’ve scoured the depths of Prime’s film catalog to deliver our list of the best movies on Amazon Prime right now.

 

We’ll be updating this list every month as movies come and go on Prime, so be sure to check back for new additions! And, without further ado, in no particular order, the best movies on Amazon Prime!

Continue reading The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (June 2020)

The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (May 2020)

Amazon Prime Video is chock-full of great movies but it’s a nightmare trying to find them. Unlike Netflix which offers strong curated playlists, Prime Video does a poor job of highlighting all the amazing movies on its service. Don’t fret though, we’ve scoured the depths of Prime’s film catalog to deliver our list of the best movies on Amazon Prime right now.

 

We’ll be updating this list every month as movies come and go on Prime, so be sure to check back for new additions! And, without further ado, in no particular order, the best movies on Amazon Prime!

Continue reading The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (May 2020)

What is Post-Production — The Final Steps in the Process

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Subjective Cinema — Types and Techniques in Filmmaking

Watching a film can sometimes feel like looking at the world through someone else’s eyes. This someone else may be a particularly auteurist filmmaker, or they can be a character within a movie that a filmmaker wants us to identify with. Referred to as subjective cinema, this filmmaking technique can be incredibly powerful.

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12 Best Christmas Movies That Aren’t Christmas Movies

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ou’ve unwrapped your gifts, gorged yourself on a massive breakfast, and curled up next to a roaring fire. It’s Christmas, and it’s time to throw on the perfect movie. Sometimes, however, the obvious Christmas classics feel a little too obvious. We’re here to help with a list of Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas movies. These are the movies, for some reason, we keep coming back to for the holiday season.

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What is an Arthouse Film — Definition & Examples

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ave you ever found yourself captivated by a film that strays from the predictable plot lines of mainstream cinema, instead immersing you in a world of unique storytelling and artistic vision? Welcome to the realm of Arthouse Cinema. But what is an ‘arthouse film’ exactly, and how did this fascinating genre originate? Dive with us into the captivating history and defining characteristics of arthouse films, a genre that continues to challenge, inspire, and reshape our understanding of cinema.

Continue reading What is an Arthouse Film — Definition & Examples

Barbie Director Greta Gerwig on Her Inspiration & Process

There’s no question that Barbie has been a sensation. The movie has smashed records left and right– it’s the highest-grossing Warner Brothers picture ever, the biggest opening for a non-sequel, and the highest grossing film directed by a woman, just to name a few. So what’s the secret to Barbie’s success? How did Greta Gerwig and her team create a beloved movie out of nothing but a doll?

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What is a Tritagonist — Definition, Examples & Why They’re Used

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Little Women Script PDF Download — Plot, Quotes, and Analysis

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 →

Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” is a story of ambitious women and the birth of an artist. Of course, these themes are at the heart of the original work, but Gerwig’s Little Women screenplay strategically reconfigures the familiar narrative; the cozy classic becomes fresh and thrilling.… Keep reading

How to Write a Flashback in a Script — Techniques & Format

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Best Coming of Age Movies of All Time (And Why They’re Great)

Who doesn’t love a good coming of age film? There are a number of clearly identifiable characteristics that most, or even all, coming of age films share. Perhaps the most inherently relatable of all subgenres, coming of age films focus on young characters developing and growing across trying ordeals, or pivotal moments in their lives. Most coming of age films are dramedies at their core and the vast majority of them explore romance, or ‘first love,’ as one of their central themes or plot lines. Without further ado, let’s begin our countdown of the best coming of age films ever made.… Keep reading

What is Celluloid Film — A Brief History of Motion Picture Film

In the world of movie making we have today, any digital device with video functionality can help you tell a story, from your mobile phone to your computer’s webcam. But what about celluloid film? What is celluloid film, even? We still call movies “films,” right? Film stock used to be the only way major movies would be filmed and distributed. But of course, times have changed, and as technology has advanced, so has the way we make movies. But that’s not to say film is down for the count. Which is why we are going to answer “What is celluloid film?”… Keep reading

What is 2:1 Aspect Ratio (Univisium) & Why Are Directors Switching Over?

When making a movie, it can be a struggle to decide between the two most common widescreen aspect ratios: 1.85:1 and 2.35:1. For anyone who has ever felt this struggle, there is an ideal middle ground. We’re talking about the 2:1 aspect ratio which has seen a resurgence in the last decade. In this article, we’ll go over the 2:1 aspect ratio, where it came from, and how it’s been used in movies and TV so that you too can take advantage of this unique frame.

 

Disclaimer: Since 2.35 is often used interchangeably with 2.39 and 2.4, we will do the same in this article, depending on the context.… Keep reading