Francis Ford Coppola is one of the greatest filmmakers of all-time; his seminal classics, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation, consistently rank among cinema’s pantheon – but did you know he’s directed 20 other feature-length films? We’re going to rank every Francis Ford Coppola film, from top to bottom. By… Continue reading Best Francis Ford Coppola Movies — Every Film Ranked
Mise en scène. It’s a fancy looking phrase that you’ve seen floating around many film-related articles, carrying with it an immediate sense of snobbery. Don’t worry, you’re not the first person to ask “what is mise en scene?” After today, you’ll have a better sense of this concept and its fundamentals so you can apply… Continue reading What is Mise en Scène in Film: Definition and Examples
They say never meet your heroes. That is, of course, unless you happen to be Denis Villeneuve. During a Q&A after the premiere of Dune: Part Two, Steven Spielberg named Villeneuve one of the best world builders in cinema. And if you’ve seen Dune: Part Two, you understand exactly why. From Blade Runner 2049 to… Continue reading Dune 2 Behind The Scenes — Cameras, Sets, Stunts & FX
As you may have experienced, securing the perfect film location isn’t always easy, and it’s rarely affordable. However, great filmmaking is not just about location, it’s also about how you set the scene. The impact a setting can have on the scene it supports is monumental. Let’s take a look at how Oscar winning films… Continue reading How These Oscar Winning Films Use Doors To Tell Better Stories
The first shot in a film may not be the flashiest, but it’s packed full of vital information for viewers. In this post, we’re going to explore some powerful opening shots in cinema, and how to create them in your own films.Continue reading How to Create Powerful Opening Shots — It’s Easier Than You Think
Catherine Hardwicke is a director best known for her work on Lords of Dogtown, Miss Bala, and Twilight. In a joint project with Co//ab, StudioBinder recently sat down with the talented director about her work on Twilight and how she was able to bring emotion to the climactic final battle. A lot of directorial decisions… Continue reading In the Frame with Catherine Hardwicke — Twilight
Thor’s hammer. A volleyball named Wilson. One ring to rule them all. What do each of these things have in common? You’re probably thinking that they’re all movie props, and that’s true, but that’s not what makes them distinguished. When used properly (no pun intended), props become synonymous with the stories they tell. So, filmmakers,… Continue reading 6 Ways To Turn Movie Props Into Iconic Symbols
Some directors are very particular about their fake blood (*cough* David Fincher). Others just want something that looks realistic enough without staining the set and wardrobes.Continue reading The Best DIY Fake Blood Recipe [with FREE Blood Spectrum]
Car chase scenes are some of the purest expressions of entertainment in cinema. We all have our favorites, but some are better than others at keeping you on the edge of your seat. In this post, we’re going to discuss some of the best car chase scenes in films made since the turn of the millennium.… Continue reading 10 Best Car Chase Scenes in Modern Movies that Inspire
Casting TipsOpen menu Ultimate Guide to Auditions Guide to Holding Auditions Best Casting Tips Indie Film Casting Casting Background Talent Casting ResourcesOpen menu Actor Release Forms Model Release Form Photo Release Form Best Talent Agencies What is a Casting Director How to Become a Casting Director In the world of film and television, filmmakers use… Continue reading The Hollywood Trenches: 10 Rules for Working With Child Actors
Learning how to make a documentary is no easy task. To engage in documentary filmmaking you must brave the unknown, and capture a story that unfolds in its own unpredictable way. Continue reading Documentary Filmmaking: How to Make a Documentary in 5 Steps
Is the hero going to clear the chasm? Will evil triumph over good? Do I have enough popcorn? Great action sequences glue us to our seats. Containing many memorable action scenes, Kingsman: The Secret Service functions as a James Bond parody, putting spin on classic action sequences that easily could have been trite.Continue reading How… Continue reading How to Write and Shoot Action Scenes Like Kingsman
I love Mission: Impossible. You love Mission: Impossible. But learning how to shot list and film a fight scene like Mission Impossible can be incredibly difficult. But’s not…impossible. Okay, stay with me. Today we’re going to go over how to create a shot list for your action movie and dissect a clip from Mission: Impossible… Continue reading How to Shoot Dynamic Fight Scenes