O kay, is there anyone who doesn’t choke up when little Zuzu Bailey says, “Everytime a bell rings, an angel gets its wings,” at the the end of It’s a Wonderful Life? The best Christmas movies vary in style and tone, but they tend to possess certain thematic elements such as forgiveness, charity and devotion. A… Continue reading Mastering the Christmas Movie: Home Alone
Shot List EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Shot List? Insert Image Introducing Shot Lists Insert Image How to Make a Lined Script Insert Image How to Make a Shot List Shot List TipsOpen menu Insert Image What’s in Your Shot List Insert Image Shot Listing Like a Pro Insert Image How to Create… Continue reading Mastering the Shot List: Alejandro González Inarritu
Color BasicsOpen menu Insert Image Color Grading vs. Color Correction Insert Image What is Color Space Insert Image What is Color Temperature Insert Image What is a Vectorscope Insert Image What is LUT Insert Image What is a Colorist Insert Image What is a Color Checker Insert Image What is Technicolor Insert Image First Color… Continue reading Mastering the Color Palette: Zack Snyder
Shot List EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Shot List? Insert Image Introducing Shot Lists Insert Image How to Make a Lined Script Insert Image How to Make a Shot List Shot List TipsOpen menu Insert Image What’s in Your Shot List Insert Image Shot Listing Like a Pro Insert Image How to Create… Continue reading Mastering the Shot List: Andrei Tarkovsky
Shot List EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Shot List? Insert Image Introducing Shot Lists Insert Image How to Make a Lined Script Insert Image How to Make a Shot List Shot List TipsOpen menu Insert Image What’s in Your Shot List Insert Image Shot Listing Like a Pro Insert Image How to Create… Continue reading How to Make a Lined Script and Save Your Shot List
Best Nolan MoviesNolan’s Directing StyleNolan Directing Tips Nolan’s CirclesNolan’s Shot List From The Dark Knight to Interstellar, Christopher Nolan movies take full advantage of the medium, creating realities that often operate by their own rules.Of course, story is at the foundation of these creations, but what helps to maintain the viewer’s attention are the shot list… Continue reading Mastering the Shot List: Christopher Nolan
Advertising EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is Pathos Insert Image What is Logos Insert Image What is Telos Insert Image What is Kairos Insert Image What is Ethos Insert Image Ethos, Pathos & Logos Insert Image What is an EPK Insert Image What is a Creative Director Insert Image What is Branded Content How to… Continue reading How to Make a Commercial People Will Actually Share
In the age of YouTube, songs are meant to be seen, but producing a music video takes different skills and a different approach altogether. Continue reading How to Shoot a Music Video [FREE Music Video Script Template]
Is the hero going to clear the chasm? Will evil triumph over good? Do I have enough popcorn? Great action sequences glue us to our seats. Containing many memorable action scenes, Kingsman: The Secret Service functions as a James Bond parody, putting spin on classic action sequences that easily could have been trite.Continue reading How… Continue reading How to Write and Shoot Action Scenes Like Kingsman
Animation BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What is Animation Insert Image What is Pre-Production in Animation Insert Image What is Cel Animation Insert Image What is Pixilation Animation Insert Image What is Tweening in Animation Insert Image What is Anime Insert Image What is Claymation Insert Image What are Keyframe Insert Image What is Persistence of… Continue reading The Pixar Storytelling Formula: An Inside Look
I love Mission: Impossible. You love Mission: Impossible. But learning how to shot list and film a fight scene like Mission Impossible can be incredibly difficult. But’s not…impossible. Okay, stay with me. Today we’re going to go over how to create a shot list for your action movie and dissect a clip from Mission: Impossible… Continue reading How to Shoot Dynamic Fight Scenes
A great antagonist is much more than just a “villain” to challenge your main character. There are many delicate components to creating a great antagonist. From casting to compelling storylines to inspired acting choices. However, it all starts in the script, and is fleshed out in the director’s script analysis.Continue reading 4 Essential Principles for… Continue reading 4 Essential Principles for Creating the Ultimate Antagonist
E nigmatic filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky believed that creating the “pressure of time” was one of his key film techniques he used to keep audiences hooked. In this video essay, we’ll be digging into some of his most immersive techniques.Continue reading 5 Film Techniques You Can Learn From Andrei Tarkovsky Right Now
Like anyone who has spent two hours waiting at the DMV can attest, emotional states are affected by the perception of time. In filmmaking terms, we want to take a moment to discuss one of the most commonly used time manipulation techniques – Slow Motion – and how it can be used to add deeper,… Continue reading How to Use Slow Motion to Create Iconic Moments
Understanding the essentials of film set etiquette is paramount when creating a streamlined production without any obvious hiccups. Our friends at Screencraft have provided a useful 6 step guide on helping your cast and crew learn about film set etiquette.Continue reading 6 Tips For Proper Film Set Etiquette
Art DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Art Director Insert Image Production Designer Insert Image Prop Master Insert Image Storyboard Artist Insert Image Set Dresser Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Making a visually stunning film is no easy feat. The goal of a production designer is to immerse you in the world they have created. That’s… Continue reading What Does a Production Designer Do? A Crash Course with Examples
Production is not for the faint of heart. Long hours, physical strain, and emotional exhaustion are part of the job. Stress can bring out the worst in people, and when you have to work with difficult talent and crew on set, a production can can go south quickly.Continue reading 3 Ways To Work With Difficult… Continue reading 3 Ways To Work With Difficult Talent and Crew On Set
When we think of micro-budget filmmaking, we think of the film’s budget, distribution, or possibly marketing, as the most crucial element. The process, after all is one that mystifies and entraps legions of filmmakers. Furthermore, how to navigate the often-frustrating world of ultra low-budget filmmaking is something that escapes even those filmmakers in the midst… Continue reading Create a Successful Micro Budget Film: An Interview With Indie Film Hustle