How does one create a great tracking shot in film? What strategies are available to keep the shot interesting for the audience without becoming too chaotic? With this example from Martin Scorsese’s excellent film The Wolf of Wall Street, we’ll show you how a master filmmaker uses eye lines, blocking, and framing to create a… Continue reading The Wolf of Wall Street Long Take — Director’s Playbook
The Star Wars universe has given the world so much. From backwards-talking aliens to familial plot twists, Star Wars has sparked millions of people’s imaginations. However, the films also introduced us to one of the coolest weapons ever to grace the big screen: the lightsaber. We’ve already discussed how superb cinematography can enhance any lightsaber… Continue reading Star Wars Lightsaber Duels — What Makes Them Great?
Few fight scenes in cinema are as exhilarating as a lightsaber duel in the Star Wars franchise. Everyone has their own personal favorites, but one of the most well-choreographed and filmed lightsaber combat scenes put to film is the Throne Room scene in The Last Jedi. A lot of people may watch this lightsaber fight and… Continue reading How to Shoot a Lightsaber Duel — The Last Jedi Throne Room Breakdown
Christmas movies are a time honored tradition, and there are many that touch on the spirit of Christmas and what the holiday means to society during the time period in which it was created. In today’s post we do some film analysis on what may, or may not, be considered a classic in the genre… Continue reading Jingle All the Way — A Complete Deconstruction of the Capitalist Machine
Jay Roach has filmed some of the greatest comedies of all time with his work on the Austin Powers trilogy and Meet the Fockers. In recent years, he’s turned his attention to more politically-oriented stories like Trumbo and the upcoming Bombshell. As part of our ongoing partnership with Sundance Co//ab, Jay Roach recently sat down… Continue reading Jay Roach Breaks Down Bombshell
EPISODE 511th Hour FalloutIt’s time to build your entire film crew and secure your production equipment. This means camera, sound, and design. Don’t forget deal memos and production insurance! Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this. Subscribe on YouTube ← Episode Guide Next Episode → EPISODE 5The Californian Job: Crewing upIt’s time to put together… Continue reading Making It: Final Preparation — Pre-Production Process: Ep5
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 Special Effects: Explosion Animation in the Paris Cafe Scene
Best Nolan MoviesNolan’s Directing StyleNolan Directing Tips Nolan’s CirclesNolan’s Shot List Christopher Nolan films include Memento, The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Prestige, and Interstellar. His films Inception and Dunkirk received Academy Award nominations for best picture. We watched all of Christopher Nolan’s movies, interviews, and documentaries to compile a list of filmmaking tips & techniques.Continue reading… Continue reading Christopher Nolan: A Filmmaker’s Guide to Nolan’s Directing Style
Alex Wolff has made quite a name for himself around Hollywood, starring in such films as Hereditary, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and My Friend Dahmer. He recently made his directorial debut with the film The Cat and the Moon, and StudioBinder sat down with Alex to talk about some of the directorial choices he… Continue reading In the Frame with Alex Wolff — The Cat and the Moon
EPISODE 4Mission: AuditionSetting up casting calls and actor auditions are one of the most exciting parts of the pre-production process, but this is where things begin to get real. See us cast our short film below. Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this. Subscribe on YouTube ← Episode Guide Next Episode → EPISODE 4To live… Continue reading Making It: The Casting Process — Pre-Production Process: Ep4
Best Tarantino MoviesQT’s Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown Quentin Tarantino is known for many things as a filmmaker. His films have unpredictable violence and masterfully-crafted scenes. But above all else, Tarantino is known for his dialogue. It’s not easy holding an audience’s attention for even two minutes, but Tarantino somehow… Continue reading How to Write Dialogue Like Quentin Tarantino — Kill Bill Analysis
You grew up watching the best fight scenes and loved every bone-cracking minute of them. They are one of the reasons you became a filmmaker, and perhaps you’ve already put together a few of your own. But for some reason… they just don’t play the way you had hoped. It’s not like you don’t know how… Continue reading How to Shoot the Best Fight Scenes Like Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes
B-Roll BasicsBest B-Roll WebsitesHow To Shoot B-Roll What is B-roll footage in Film and TV? Furthermore, what is A-roll vs B-roll? Filmmakers of all types, whether they make documentaries, wedding videos, music videos, movies, or television NEED to have a keen understanding of both A-roll and B-roll footage. So, what does B-roll mean and why is… Continue reading What is B-Roll: The Difference Between A-Roll vs B-Roll Footage
You want to learn how to write a fight scene in a screenplay, but it seems that each writer takes their own unique approach. How then can you determine the ‘right way’ to write compelling fight scenes? No worries. This post will take you through the process of writing the best fight scenes for different… Continue reading How to Write a Fight Scene in a Screenplay Like John Wick
Quentin Tarantino has created some of the most memorable scenes in film history. However, none are quite so impactful, tense, and amazing as the Inglourious Basterds opening scene.The scene lasts for just under 20 minutes, but during that time, Tarantino employs a vast array of framing techniques and angles to help tell the story to… Continue reading Writing and Directing for Suspense: Inglourious Basterds
EPISODE 3Location LockdownA film is only as good as the locations. Finding a great filming location that fits inside your budget isn’t easy, especially when you need areas for lunch, parking, and staging equipment. Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this. Subscribe on YouTube ← Episode Guide Next Episode → EPISODE 3Set scouting beginsFinding a… Continue reading Making It: Location Scouting — Pre-Production Process: Ep3
EPISODE 2Department Head HuntingThe first step to building a great film crew is securing department heads. Watch as the team hires their DP and 1st Assistant Director and discusses crew and camera budgets. Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this. Subscribe on YouTube ← Episode Guide Next Episode → EPISODE 2Assembling the A-TeamNow is the… Continue reading Making It: Key Hires — Pre-Production Process: Ep2
EPISODE 6Finale: Mental MistakesThe wait is over! In our final episode, we take a quick look back at the production and discuss takeaways. At the end, you’ll see the fruits of our labor with the premiere of Mental Mistakes. Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this. Subscribe on YouTube ← View All Episodes EPISODE 6It’s go… Continue reading Making It: Wrapping Up Production — Pre-Production Process: Ep6
What is Production Design What Does a Production Designer Do? Production Design Tips You’re a filmmaker who wants to get the most out of your production design, mise en scene, and scene elements, but you’re not sure how to plan and maximize your visual opportunities. In this post, we’re going to breakdown the production design, mise… Continue reading Amazon’s The Boys: Mise En Scene, Production Design, and Costumes
EPISODE 1Budget BombshellMeet the team and watch how they must rework their script so that it will fit inside their limited budget. Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this. Subscribe on YouTube ← Episode Guide Next Episode → EPISODE 1Art meets commerceYou have a great idea for a TV show. You’ve already written the pilot,… Continue reading Making It: Script Breakdowns and Budgeting — Pre-Production Process: Ep1
