What is a Motif? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

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 →

Motifs are a great way to reinforce the theme of your project. Understanding how to build motifs that work requires strong attention to detail and a clear game plan. But what is a motif? Looking for a clear motif definition? Need motif examples in film? All these questions and more will be answered as we dive into the patterns and symbols that can bring depth to your work.

Continue reading What is a Motif?Keep reading

30 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked for Filmmakers

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the all-time great auteur filmmakers. His films can be explained in the simplest of terms: You know it when you see it. Over 55 years, Alfred Hitchcock directed dozens upon dozens of films, some of which have joined the pantheon of the greatest movies in cinema history. In this article, we’re going to rank the 30 best Alfred Hitchcock movies based on these four criteria: legacy, suspense, filmmaking, and story.

Continue reading 30 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked for Filmmakers

What is Film Theory — How to Study Film (And Why)

@media (min-width: 300px){.thrv_symbol_137744 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6b4722 li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item){border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0);text-align: center;--tve-font-weight: var(--g-bold-weight,bold);--tve-font-family: inherit;box-shadow: none;--tve-applied-box-shadow: none;--tve-text-transform: none;padding: 15px 50px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;}.thrv_symbol_137744 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6b4722 li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item) a{font-family: var(--tve-font-family,inherit);font-size: 14px !important;font-weight: var(--tve-font-weight,var(--g-bold-weight,bold) ) !important;text-transform: var(--tve-text-transform,none) !important;}.thrv_symbol_137744 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6b4722 li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item) strong{font-weight: 500;}.thrv_symbol_137744 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6b4722 li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item).tve-state-active{border-bottom: none;}.thrv_symbol_137744 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6b4722 li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item):hover{border: none !important;--tve-applied-border: none !important;--tve-color: rgb(94,122,255) !important;--tve-applied---tve-color: rgb(94,122,255) !important;}.thrv_symbol_137744 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6b4722 li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item):hover a{color: var(--tve-color,rgb(94,122,255)) !important;--tve-applied-color: var$(--tve-color,rgb(94,122,255)) !important;--tcb-applied-color: rgb(94,122,255) !important;}}@media (max-width: 767px){.thrv_symbol_137744 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6b4722 li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item){padding-left: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;}} Cinematography Terms Screenwriting Terms Film Terms

What is film theory? Is it just the theory of film? Or is it something more? Fear not, we’re going to answer the question “what is film theory?”… Keep reading

Best Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

When it comes to the best thriller movies of all time, there’s a lot to choose from. While great thrillers involve the protagonist in constant and terrifying danger, some are more light hearted, while still juggling with the concepts of life and death.

 

With such a broad genre, there are many movies in the thriller genre to choose from, including horror, psychological, true crime, and black comedy. Since it can sometimes be difficult to choose good thrillers, we decided to make the job easier for you.

 

Listed here are the best thrillers from cinema, ranging from new classics to old favorites, along with everything in-between to satisfy all types of thrill seekers.… Keep reading

Best Romantic Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

There’s more than one occasion to break out the pint of ice cream and dive into the genre of romance. Whether you are going through a breakup, looking for a romantic watch with your significant other, or searching for a rom-com to watch with roommates on movie night, finding a great romantic film can be difficult. So, we’ve compiled a list of the best romantic movies of all time that have touched audiences’ hearts for years. From the hilarious to the dramatic, this list will be sure to give you a few options to cry, laugh, or smile in the name of love.… Keep reading

What is Juxtaposition in Film? Definition and Examples

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 →

Two is always better than one when it comes to Juxtaposition. Other than being the game-winning word in your next Scrabble match, what is juxtaposition? It is a frequently used term throughout the artistic world from photography to literature to film. Despite its frequent use, its meaning can be quite vague. We’ll define juxtaposition with examples in film so that you can use it throughout your next project.

Continue reading What is Juxtaposition in Film?Keep reading

100 Best Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

What are the best horror movies of all time? From zombies to your nextdoor neighbor, films have found fear from a wide variety of sources over the decades.

In this blog, we’re providing all of you filmmakers out there with the definitive list of the best horror films ever made. We’ll discuss what makes each film so scary and why it’s worth watching. We’ll even point you in the right direction, so you know where to watch these films if you ever feel like scaring yourself.

Continue reading 100 Best Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

What is Surrealism? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

What is Surrealism in film? To understand the best Surrealist films, we need to know the basics of the term. You can probably imagine what “realism” might be — strict adherence to reality. Surrealism takes the “rules” and expectations of realism and turns them on their head; logic and reason need not apply. Filmmakers have embraced this freedom and creative expression for almost a century and produced some of the most fascinating work along the way. Let’s define Surrealism and take a closer look at some of the best Surrealist films.

Continue reading What is Surrealism? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

Point of View Shots: Creative Camera Movements & Angles

@media (min-width: 300px){.thrv_symbol_136320 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6a9dbd li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item){border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0);text-align: center;--tve-font-weight: var(--g-bold-weight,bold);--tve-font-family: inherit;box-shadow: none;--tve-applied-box-shadow: none;--tve-text-transform: none;padding: 15px 50px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;}.thrv_symbol_136320 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6a9dbd li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item) a{font-family: var(--tve-font-family,inherit);font-size: 14px !important;font-weight: var(--tve-font-weight,var(--g-bold-weight,bold) ) !important;text-transform: var(--tve-text-transform,none) !important;}.thrv_symbol_136320 .thrv_widget_menu #m-176bb6a9dbd li:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item) strong{font-weight: 500;}.thrv_symbol_136320 .tve-regular #m-176bb6a9dbd .tcb-mega-drop-inner:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item) li.lvl-1{max-width: calc(33.3333% - 40px);width: calc(33.3333% - 40px);margin-left: 40px;margin-top: 15px !important;}.thrv_symbol_136320 .tve-regular #m-176bb6a9dbd .tcb-mega-drop-inner:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item) ul{margin-left: -40px;margin-top: -15px !important;}.thrv_symbol_136320 .tve-regular #m-176bb6a9dbd .tcb-mega-drop-inner ul li a:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item){border: none;text-transform: uppercase;letter-spacing: 1px;font-family: var(--tve-font-family,inherit);--tve-font-weight: var(--g-bold-weight,bold);--tve-font-family: inherit;text-align: center;--tve-color: rgb(0,0,0);--tve-applied---tve-color: rgb(0,0,0);--tcb-applied-color: rgb(0,0,0);box-shadow: none;--tve-applied-box-shadow: none;font-weight: var(--tve-font-weight,var(--g-bold-weight,bold) ) !important;color: var(--tve-color,rgb(0,0,0)) !important;font-size: 13px !important;padding-top: 26px !important;padding-bottom: 26px !important;--tve-applied-color: var$(--tve-color,rgb(0,0,0)) !important;margin-top: 0px !important;}.thrv_symbol_136320 .tve-regular #m-176bb6a9dbd .tcb-mega-drop-inner ul li a:not(.tcb-excluded-from-group-item) strong{font-weight: 500;}:not(#tve) .thrv_symbol_136320… Keep reading

How to Become a Director: Learning from Seasoned Filmmakers

Becoming a film director isn’t a straight path. There are multiple ways of getting there but, ultimately, there’s only one driving force: you. Regardless of your education or current skill set, if you want to make movies, you will. But that’s easier said than done, so let’s go a little deeper to answer how to become a director.

Continue reading How to Become a Director: Learning from Seasoned Filmmakers