Round vs. Flat Character — The Essential Differences Explained

Types of CharactersOpen menu Protagonist Antagonist Hero Anti Hero Tragic Hero Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Common Character Types Types of Villains Femme Fatale Mad Scientist Mary Sue Damsel in Distress Write Your Free Script → Good storytelling uses a mix of character types to propel the movement of the plot. There are four basic… Continue reading Round vs. Flat Character — The Essential Differences Explained

What is Black Comedy — Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

What is black comedy? Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and wondered how the characters could joke about violence, disease, or war? That’s what we refer to as black comedy. It goes by many names. Dark humor. Gallows humor. Dark comedy. It all means the same thing. And in this blog, you’ll learn… Continue reading What is Black Comedy — Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

What is a Tracking Shot — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples

What is a tracking shot? They are really fun to watch, but difficult to film. We’ve put together a list of the best tracking shots of all time. Then we break down everything you’ll need to consider when blocking and planning a tracking shot in your own projects.Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot —… Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot — 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples

Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real

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 Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real

60 Best Movie Songs Of All Time — Top Needle Drops, Ranked

EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is Diegetic Sound  What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score TechniquesOpen menu Ultimate Guide to Sound Recording Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Effect Techniques What is a Sound Bridge What is The Shepard Tone How to Design a… Continue reading 60 Best Movie Songs Of All Time — Top Needle Drops, Ranked

What is Practical Lighting in Film? Tips and Techniques Explained

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 What is Practical Lighting in Film? Tips and Techniques Explained

What is a Cult Classic — The Allure of Fringe Films

Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms In cinema, there exists a niche that often goes unnoticed by the mainstream yet holds a magnetic allure for those who discover it: the realm of cult classics. These films may not have garnered immediate acclaim or box office success, but over time, they’ve managed to carve out their… Continue reading What is a Cult Classic — The Allure of Fringe Films

The History of Film Timeline — All Eras of Film History Explained

Motion pictures have enticed and inspired artists, audiences, and critics for more than a century. Today, we’re going to explore the history of film by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide. We’re also going to explore the technical craft of filmmaking from the persistence of vision to colorization to synchronous sound.… Continue reading The History of Film Timeline — All Eras of Film History Explained

What is a Zoom Shot and When You Should Use One

Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now → If you’re an aspiring cinematographer or director, you know that the camera is your primary storytelling tool. How you move the camera or… Continue reading What is a Zoom Shot and When You Should Use One

Horror Movie Tropes — Top 15 Tropes & Why They’re Effective

Horror movies have become subject to some of the most predictable devices and tropes in cinema. While unique filmmakers like Robert Eggers, Ari Aster, and Jordan Peele continue to innovate the genre, new horror films are riddled with horror movie tropes. Although they can still be effective horror storytelling devices, they can also become unremarkable… Continue reading Horror Movie Tropes — Top 15 Tropes & Why They’re Effective

Film Lighting — The Ultimate Guide (w/ Video & Cheatsheet)

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 — The Ultimate Guide (w/ Video & Cheatsheet)

What is Symmetrical Balance in Art — Composition Techniques

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 is something incredibly satisfying about symmetrical balance in art. While you… Continue reading What is Symmetrical Balance in Art — Composition Techniques

What Are Leading Lines — Composition in Photography & Film

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 Have you ever seen a photograph or a shot in a film… Continue reading What Are Leading Lines — Composition in Photography & Film

Inception Hallway Scene — How They Shot It Without CGI

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 Inception Hallway Scene — How They Shot It Without CGI

How to Create a Documentary Storyboard — Free Template

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 Create a Documentary Storyboard — Free Template