How to Write Transitions in a Script — Tips & Formatting

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How to Write Shots in a Script — Screenplay Formatting Tips

There is much debate around the use of shot descriptions within a screenplay. Despite many people discouraging the use of writing shots into a screenplay, there are a plethora of examples of shots being used in scripts of major feature films. 

 

Knowing how to write shots into a screenplay is important for any screenwriter, whether you agree on its use or not. In this article, we’ll dive into how to write shots in a script and then discuss whether or not you should use shot descriptions in your script.

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What is an L Cut in Film — Editing Transitions Explained

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How Does an Editor Control the Rhythm of a Film?

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Quentin Tarantino’s Favorite Movies of All Time — 20 Cinematic Gems

When people ask me if I went to film school, I tell them no, I went to films. – Quentin Tarantino

 

Quentin Tarantino is not just a world-class filmmaker but also a renowned film lover. He is a lifelong cinephile with an encyclopedic knowledge of the medium. Tarantino always packs his films with homages to the movies he loves. He even uses his renown as a means to provide exposure to films that he believes deserve more success. These are often foreign language films or older films that never found their audience. The following list is not in order of preference.… Keep reading

How to Make a Short Film — 12 Steps from Idea to Finished Film

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How to End a Story — Different Types of Story Endings Explained

Human beings have been telling stories for as long as we have roamed this Earth. Storytelling has gone from oral tradition to a natural part of the cinematic landscape. And in-between it all, we have learned how to end a story. Throughout our years telling stories, we have learned that there are ultimately four ways to end one. We will be going over each of these four ending types and explaining their characteristics for knowing how to end your screenplay. Let’s begin at the beginnings before we end with the endings! 

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What is a Character Study — Character vs. Plot-Driven Narratives

Have you ever watched a movie that seemed more focused on the inner life of its central character than following a traditional plot? Plenty of movies have great characters, but how many of those same movies would have the same plot if you removed that character? This is part of what makes character studies special, as these are films whose whole premise is based around the main protagonist — their trials, struggles, hopes, and dreams. So what is a character study and how do you know when you’re watching one?

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Academy Award for Best Cinematography — Top 20 Winners

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The Academy Award for best cinematography is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed each year at the Oscars.… Keep reading

Best 90s Movies of All Time — An Awesome 90s Movies List

90s movies may forever be my favorite movies. For whatever reason, whether comedy, drama, or horror, I feel this overwhelming sense of peace when one of my favorite 90s films is on. Is it just nostalgia or do they actually hold up? I suppose that’s always debatable. But there is a thin line between what is considered one of the “best” movies, and those movies that become so iconic, they define a decade. Some fans praise films for the technical and creative masterpieces that they are, while others love the movies they love because they have impacted them in some personal way.… Keep reading

Daniel Plainview: There Will Be Blood True Story Explained

In film, there are memorable characters and there are iconic characters. The latter is a result of great writing, directing, and acting. Auteur directors flesh out these iconic characters to create a whole person. The screen has been graced with iconic characters like Jack in The Shining, Travis in Taxi Driver, or for this article, Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood. Who is Daniel Plainview?

 

There are many components that contributed to the creation of the character of Daniel Plainview. Research, inspiration, and casting decisions are all critical. In this article, we’ll dive into a Daniel Plainview character analysis and uncover how Paul Thomas Anderson created the flesh and blood of the Plainview in There Will Be Blood.… Keep reading

55 Best Movie Directors of All Time and Their Greatest Films

The best movie directors of all time — the idea of such a list sparks immediate debate. Rather than try to impose any sort of definitive or objective best directors list, consider this more of a celebration of the entire medium. Woefully underrepresented on this list are women. While women have been an integral part of the film industry since the beginning, the opportunity to direct was rarely given to them. That means that any list that covers the entirety of film history will be unfortunately one-sided. Thankfully, women have been making great strides in reversing this over the years and we’ve seen some truly masterful and inspiring work from the best female directors working today.… Keep reading

Best Movies on HBO Right Now — Filmmaker Playlist (Oct 2020)

Though best known for producing many of the best television shows of all time, HBO is also home to many excellent films. HBO caught on quick that streaming was the way of the future, and got into the only media game early. We’ll be taking a look at what movies are on HBO right now. HBO-Go is home to not just every great HBO original series, but also hundreds of films ranging from all-time classics to new releases. Joining us in counting down the top 50 HBO movies available right now.

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How to Use Color in Film like Kubrick: Mise-en-Scène Elements Explained

Color BasicsOpen menu What is Color Temperature Color Grading vs. Color Correction What is LUT What is Technicolor First Color Movie Film Colorization Process Color SchemesOpen menu What is a Color Palette What is a Color Scheme Triadic Color Scheme Monochromatic Color Scheme Analogous Color Scheme Complementary Color Scheme FREE Ebook: How to Use Color in Film

Mise en scene plays a huge role in communicating the tone of a story — but what is mise en scene? In classical terms, mise en scene is the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play or film. Today, mise en scene is regarded as all of the elements that go into any single shot of a production.… Keep reading

23 Best Movie Scores of All Time — Filmmaker Playlist

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The Batman 2021: Cast, Set Photos, Release Date and What We Know So Far

Robert Pattinson’s The Batman (2021) is one of the most highly anticipated movies in the world. But although the film has generated enormous pre-release hype, the history of its production is littered with roadblocks and challenges. We’re going to break down everything we know so far about the new Batman movie by looking at the film’s cast and crew, story details, and expected release date.

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The Best Movie Sex Scenes of All Time, Ranked from Worst to Best

Ah yes, we’ve arrived back at the most carnal of all storytelling devices: the sex scene. Writers, artists and filmmakers have used sex to evoke a multitude of different emotions to the audience, like love, hate, confusion, lust, among many, many more. But every one of the best movie sex scenes of all time adds something essential to a story, whether it be comedic, dramatic, or stylistic.In this article, we’re going to rank movie sex scenes by looking at a few crucial criteria: Visuals, Impact and Acting. The scenes on this list are ranked by their importance to the narrative of a story, not by how sexy they are.… Keep reading

Best Movies of the 2000s — The Entire Decade Ranked

The 2000s were a weird time for cinema — kind of sandwiched in between the indie 90’s scene and the blockbuster 2010’s scene. But there are so many great movies that came out between 2000 and 2009, that we thought it would be interesting to look back at what made them so great. So without further ado, this is our list of the best movies of the 2000s.

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There Will Be Blood: Analysis of a Power Struggle — Director’s Playbook

How does one create a power struggle in film? What are the techniques available that will help to communicate this battle through a visual lens?

 

Let’s look at how Paul Thomas Anderson builds a power struggle with blocking, staging, framing, set dressing, and camera control.

 

Make sure to read through to the end for more examples of these techniques in the director’s work.

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