At this time, the theatrical experience is fighting to stay relevant among streaming giants. Top Gun: Maverick made an undeniable case for getting back into theaters. The film was praised by the likes of Quentin Tarantino. It received a five-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. So, what went into creating a film that sparked… Continue reading Top Gun Maverick Behind the Scenes — How They Shot It
Filmmaking is a collaborative process, but without a doubt, the most important role on set is that of the director. The director receives most of the credit when a film succeeds and most of the blame when it fails. In other words, there is a lot of pressure and responsibility placed on their shoulders. So, how… Continue reading How Much Do Directors Make — DGA Rates for Film & TV
Oh, mockumentaries how I love thee. Mockumentaries – or simply mock documentaries – have entertained and inspired the world for decades. But what is a mockumentary? We’re going to break down the history of this subgenre, including the first mockumentary, by looking at iconic examples from Woody Allen, Christopher Guest, and more. By the end,… Continue reading What is a Mockumentary — Definition, Examples & History
What do Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Rick and Morty, Friends, and iCarly all have in common? They’re all sitcoms. The diversity of the genre can be confusing. If The Simpsons and I Love Lucy are both sitcoms, what is a sitcom exactly? In this post, we’ll get into the history of the sitcom and what makes… Continue reading What is a Sitcom — Definition, Examples and History Explained
There are many components that occur behind the scenes of a film that audiences don’t even realize occurs. Sometimes it’s lighting just off frame creating the glow of a fire. Sometimes it’s a giant water rig to create rain. And more often than not, audience’s have no idea that the actor doing that crazy stunt… Continue reading What is a Body Double in Film — Definition and Examples
A show bible is an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production. But what is a show bible? And why is it an essential part of every TV series’ pre-production? We’re going to answer those questions. Then we’ll show you some show bible examples. By the end, you’ll know why these documents are important and… Continue reading What is a Show Bible — Examples and FREE Template
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 → There is no doubt that cinema and literature are filled with iconic heroes. But often it is the relationship… Continue reading What is a Villain? Definition, Types & Characteristics
What is a subgenre? If you are familiar with what a genre is, then you are already halfway there. But there might be more to subgenres than meets the eye. In this post, we will be providing a definition for “subgenre,” looking at examples, and exploring how multiple genres and subgenres can nest within each… Continue reading What is a Subgenre — Definition, Examples & How They Work
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
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 a period piece? If the term transports your mind to a faraway time with big, puffy dresses and flowery language, then you might be on the right track. We’ll start out by defining what exactly constitutes a period piece, then we’ll dig a little deeper before taking a look at some great examples… Continue reading What is a Period Piece — How Movies Transport Us to the Past
Animation BasicsOpen menu What is Animation Types of Animation What Does an Animator Do What is Cel Animation What is Anime What is Claymation ResourcesOpen menu How to Direct an Animated Movie Animation Storyboard Tips Unreleased Aladdin Animatic Best Animated Music Videos Best Animation Software Best AnimationsOpen menu Best Animated Movies of All Time Best… Continue reading What is Tweening in Animation — Origins and Process Explained
So you have an idea. The idea. The idea that you feel like will jump start your career as a filmmaker. But all of a sudden you’re faced with the question “How will this get made?” Films and television pilots require a lot of resources and a lot of money to execute. So how do… Continue reading What is a Proof of Concept Film — Examples and Strategies
Not unlike his first two feature films, Jordan Peele’s Nope combines the horror genre, social commentary, and his unique eye for an entertainingly suspenseful watch. In what has become a staple to his style, Peele utilizes the genre to subvert our expectations and add something new to the realm of UFO films. Peele orchestrates quite a… Continue reading Nope Explained — Theories, Themes, Symbolism & Ending
Index & TimelineOpen menu Art Styles Explained Art History Timeline Renaissance & Classical (1400-1600)Open menu Renaissance Gothic Art Rococo Baroque Classicism Neoclassicism Romanticism & Contemporary (1827-20XX)Open menu Avant Garde Post Impressionism Romanticism Expressionism Contemporary Art Modern Art Conceptual art can often be a controversial art form riddled with differing opinions and open-ended debates. It directly… Continue reading What is Conceptual Art — Definition, Examples and History
David O. Russell may not be the most prolific director of his generation, but he is one of the most prestigious. Over nearly 30 years in Hollywood, Russell has enjoyed considerable success…as well as some well-warranted criticism. His work has been celebrated by artists and critics, but his on-set and off-set behavior has been alleged… Continue reading David O. Russell Movies — Ranked and Reviewed for Filmmakers
If you’re an aspiring photographer or have been in the past you may have come across the question “What types of lights do I need?” While artificial light sources are incredibly useful tools, photographers can get by with a single type of light — natural light. With a solid understanding of how natural light works and… Continue reading Natural Light Photography — Techniques & Benefits Explained
Animation BasicsOpen menu What is Animation Types of Animation What Does an Animator Do What is Cel Animation What is Anime What is Claymation ResourcesOpen menu How to Direct an Animated Movie Animation Storyboard Tips Unreleased Aladdin Animatic Best Animated Music Videos Best Animation Software Best AnimationsOpen menu Best Animated Movies of All Time Best… Continue reading What is Cel Animation — Examples, Techniques & History
What is a camera obscura? When was the camera obscura invented and who invented it? Many of us have heard the term… but what does camera obscura mean? We’re going to answer those questions by exploring their history, from prehistory to the modern day. We’re also going to show you how to create your very… Continue reading What is a Camera Obscura — Definition, Origin & How It Works
Animation BasicsOpen menu What is Animation Types of Animation What Does an Animator Do What is Cel Animation What is Anime What is Claymation ResourcesOpen menu How to Direct an Animated Movie Animation Storyboard Tips Unreleased Aladdin Animatic Best Animated Music Videos Best Animation Software Best AnimationsOpen menu Best Animated Movies of All Time Best… Continue reading What are Keyframes in Animation — Origins and Modern Uses
