What is Bollywood — Top Examples from India’s Movie Industry

There is no film industry in the world that is more prolific than that of the Indian cinema. Each year, upwards of a thousand films are released in India. Unlike Hollywood, Indian cinema encompasses different languages from a swath of regions, the largest of which is those of the Hindi-language from what we now refer… Continue reading What is Bollywood — Top Examples from India’s Movie Industry

Dogme 95 — Rules, Manifesto and Films of a Radical Experiment

By the 1990’s, filmmakers worldwide were starting to resent the direction that cinema was going in. From Hollywood to Bollywood to nearly every other “wood” in between, big-budget movies were taking over the landscape of film. In response, Danish filmmakers Lars von Trier, Kristian Levring, Soren Kragh-Jacobsen, and Thomas Vinterberg created Dogme 95, a radical… Continue reading Dogme 95 — Rules, Manifesto and Films of a Radical Experiment

What is German Expressionism in Film? Defining the Style

When countries are at war, every industry within them is also under attack. Or at the very least, is vulnerable to change. After WW1, German films became stranger and quite a bit darker. The control of the government banning foreign films also aided to their isolation. From there, German Expressionism was born. But what is… Continue reading What is German Expressionism in Film? Defining the Style

Mastering the Movie Color Palette: Denis Villeneuve

O ver the course of nine feature films, Denis Villeneuve has shown himself to be one of contemporary cinema’s leading filmmakers. Known for his intense dramas, Villeneuve often allows his environments to act as extensions of his characters. Much of this is accomplished through color choice. Here’s how Denis Villeneuve uses color theory to enhance… Continue reading Mastering the Movie Color Palette: Denis Villeneuve

French New Wave Films: A Curated List and Their Iconic Directors

The French New Wave of cinema, or La Nouvelle Vague, was one of the most important film movements of all time. In this article, we’re going to rank the best French New Wave Films based on four criteria: Acting, Story, Directing and Style. But before we jump into the ranking, it’s important to know what… Continue reading French New Wave Films: A Curated List and Their Iconic Directors

How to Create Unforgettable Film Moments with Music

Music is an unsung hero of film. It can evoke emotions without words, create a unique aesthetic and style, and connect an audience to a film. In this post, we’ll explore the various ways you can use music to create meaning and utterly, unforgettable film moments. Continue reading How to Create Unforgettable Film Moments with… Continue reading How to Create Unforgettable Film Moments with Music

How These Oscar Winning Films Use Doors To Tell Better Stories

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

Rules of Composition: How to Show Deeper Meaning in a Single Frame

Telling a story isn’t enough. You have to grab your audience by the eyeballs. Whether you’re a seasoned director or just learning what framing in film is, the way we see things is just as important as the things themselves. In his video essay on Drive, Tony Zhou uncovers 4 simple rules of composition that… Continue reading Rules of Composition: How to Show Deeper Meaning in a Single Frame

Directing Styles: How Mr. Robot Uses Unique Framing To Build Drama

You’ve got a fresh story–original characters, unique plots, a daring setting. But without a distinct directing style, your film can feel as boring as Manchester by the Sea. How you frame a scene can give your script new meaning or skyrocket you to one of the great auteur directors.Continue reading Directing Styles: How Mr. Robot… Continue reading Directing Styles: How Mr. Robot Uses Unique Framing To Build Drama

Directing Actors: What Filmmakers Can Learn About Comedy from Gene Wilder

When the world lost Gene Wilder, it lost far more than Willy Wonka. It lost one of the last great comedic actors that could sing, act, and dance with Frankenstein’s monster. Looking back at his career, we’ll cover 5 lessons filmmakers can learn about comedy from Gene Wilder when directing actors.Continue reading Directing Actors: What Filmmakers… Continue reading Directing Actors: What Filmmakers Can Learn About Comedy from Gene Wilder

When Were Movies Invented? A Brief History of Motion Pictures

We often hold writers, directors, and cinematographers, responsible for movie masterpieces. But who made this possible? It turns out discovering who invented the movies is actually more of a question of when, because there were different inventors at different times in history, and all had a hand in innovating the motion picture. Let’s look at… Continue reading When Were Movies Invented? A Brief History of Motion Pictures

6 Ways To Turn Movie Props Into Iconic Symbols

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