There are few things that can keep an audience more engaged in a film than suspense. But what is suspense, exactly? That feeling of intense anticipation can be found in various genres and have an audience leaning forward with their eyes glued to the screen. Understanding what suspense is and how it differs from other… Continue reading What is Suspense — The Elements of Suspense Explained
One of the biggest misconceptions about cinematic history is that color was first introduced to movies around the 1930s. While this is true for specific color processes, filmmakers were attempting to incorporate color into their films as early as the first few decades of motion pictures. What was the first color movie and how did they… Continue reading What Was the First Color Movie? — It’s Not What You Think It Is
Film has the unique ability to transport us to another place and time completely, if only for a few hours. But the way films do this can vary. Scale, spectacle, and grandiose VFX can allow us to escape into other worlds. But naturalist movies transport us by blurring the lines between film and reality. It attempts… Continue reading Naturalist Movies — Characteristics of Naturalism in Film
What is a Mexican Standoff? And for that matter, how does it differ from a regular standoff? In this post, we’ll be digging into the term, breaking down its origins, clearing up common misconceptions, and taking a look at some of the best examples. We’ll also be answering the question: why is it called a… Continue reading What is a Mexican Standoff — How to Direct a Showdown
Сreating a shot list can alleviate a tremendous amount of stress and pressure on actual shoot days. They can provide a clear blueprint for what needs to be shot so that you can save time. It’s important to understand all of the common shot list abbreviations used in a shot list so that you can… Continue reading Shot List Abbreviations Explained — A Quick Guide
Cinema is an ever-evolving landscape. Throughout its history, certain technological advances have opened countless doors for filmmakers. Technicolor brough colorized motion pictures, green screens opened new worlds, and motion capture opened the door for limitless characters. What is mocap and how does it work to create iconic characters? Let’s find out. Continue reading What is Mocap… Continue reading What is Mocap — The Science and Art Behind Motion Capture
Becoming an actor is a common dream that is all too often given up on. However, the fact that you are here reading this article shows that you are willing to take action on your dream by learning how to become an actor. Afterall, every successful actor started somewhere. To give you a better idea… Continue reading How to Become an Actor — 7 Steps Towards Superstardom
What is production value? You have heard the term thrown around by filmmakers or in behind-the-scenes videos without knowing exactly what they mean. We will start off with a production value definition, then get into why you want to keep it high, how to improve the production value of independent projects, and we’ll take a… Continue reading What is Production Value in Film — Low Budget Into High Art
Some of the most memorable characters in television and film come from the world of 2D and 3D animation. Before these characters are even animated, however, they are designed. Iconic characters are much more than great drawings. They are given personalities and details that make them iconic and serve as the vehicle of a story. This… Continue reading What is Character Design — Tips on Creating Iconic Characters
If Nicolas Winding Refn is known for any one thing, it’s style. Each of the Danish director’s films is imbued with a powerful, coherent aesthetic which guides viewers through a dark social underworld. Ranking Nicolas Winding Refn’s filmography, therefore, is a practice in ranking the effectiveness of his style. At its worst, it overcomes the… Continue reading Nicolas Winding Refn Movies — The Entire Filmography Ranked
The world of animated movies has opened doors to limitless types of stories. It’s limitlessness, however, comes at the cost of labor. The innumerable moving parts of an animated movie production are all overseen by a director. While it can sound like an overwhelming task, directing an animated movie can be broken down more simply.… Continue reading How to Direct an Animated Movie From A to Z in 10 Steps
At one point or another, many of us iPhone users have asked “how do I make a movie on my iPhone?” Well, there’s never been a better time to make a movie on iPhone. For filmmakers, iPhones offer unparalleled transportability and ease of use – but they come with drawbacks too. Let’s explore the pros… Continue reading How to Make a Movie on iPhone — A Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing precisely what a director does in every stage of a production’s life cycle is vital to your success in the industry. A director’s job description involves participation in nearly every phase of a project. Because their vision largely impacts the final product, directors work closely with department heads and technicians to bring it to… Continue reading What Does a Director Do? The Film Director’s Job Description
David Fincher is one of the greatest filmmakers of our generation – and he’s a director we can learn a lot from. We’re going to break down David Fincher directing tips by looking at interview clips and quotes from the man himself. Unlike other more guarded or mysterious auteurs, Fincher is very open about his… Continue reading David Fincher Interviews & Quotes on His Filmmaking Process
Dialogue scenes can be great, but they can easily fall short if they solely focus on the character doing the talking. Reaction shots have the ability to elevate a dialogue scene in a completely nonverbal way. Sometimes the physical reactions of a character can say a whole lot more than words. Let’s find out how.Continue… Continue reading The Reaction Shot — Much More Than Essential Film Grammar
What is screen direction in film? Why is it important? And how can it be used creatively? We’ll be answering all of these questions and providing you with everything you need to know about screen direction. We’ll get started with a comprehensive definition, then drill down deeper into the various techniques and applications associated with… Continue reading What is Screen Direction in Film — How to Preserve Continuity