What is Characterization — A Guide to Character Building

How do writers make characters into people we can empathize with and understand? One way is through the use of characterization. But what is characterization? We’re going to answer that question by looking at examples from Kill Bill and The Social Network, and by listening to the perspective of some of the world’s most foremost… Continue reading What is Characterization — A Guide to Character Building

What is an Animatic — How To Bring Your Storyboard to Life

Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Storyboard Insert Image Best Storyboard Software Insert Image What is a Storyboard Artist Insert Image Websites to Find a Storyboard Artist Insert Image What is a Digital Storyboard Insert Image Introducing Storyboard Builder Insert Image Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Insert Image What is an Animatic Insert… Continue reading What is an Animatic — How To Bring Your Storyboard to Life

Quentin Tarantino Interviews, Directing Tips & Quotes on Film

Best Tarantino MoviesQT’s Directing StyleQT Directing Tips QT DialogueOnce Upon a Time AnalysisBasterds Breakdown How do you learn filmmaking techniques from a director like Quentin Tarantino? You can watch his films, and learn his filmmaking process with quotes from Quentin Tarantino interviews. We also built a video with directing tips and examples from Quentin Tarantino… Continue reading Quentin Tarantino Interviews, Directing Tips & Quotes on Film

What is a Mood Board — Definition, Examples & How They Work

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What is Animation — Definition, History and Types of Animation

Animation BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What is 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 Vision Insert Image What is Stop Motion… Continue reading What is Animation — Definition, History and Types of Animation

Soft Focus Photography & How to Master that Soft Focus Look

While we may be familiar with soft focus shots as images with intentional blur or glamour shots in portraits, understanding this effect in such a limiting way…well, limits us! The shots that are possible when you master soft focus are endless, and they can be done whether you have high-tech equipment, or not. So what… Continue reading Soft Focus Photography & How to Master that Soft Focus Look

What is Juxtaposition in Film? Definition and Examples

Two is always better than one when it comes to Juxtaposition. Other than being the game-winning word in your next Scrabble match, what is juxtaposition? It is a frequently used term throughout the artistic world from photography to literature to film. Despite its frequent use, its meaning can be quite vague. We’ll define juxtaposition with… Continue reading What is Juxtaposition in Film? Definition and Examples

What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur ResourcesOpen menu Essential Cinematography Books Top 100 Cinematography Films DP Advice from Alex Buono Videography Contract Template Best Cinematography Schools Cinematography Jobs How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild Best Cinematography Online Courses E-BooksOpen menu FREE… Continue reading What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains

30 Best Cinematography Books That Actually Inspire

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur ResourcesOpen menu Essential Cinematography Books Top 100 Cinematography Films DP Advice from Alex Buono Videography Contract Template Best Cinematography Schools Cinematography Jobs How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild Best Cinematography Online Courses E-BooksOpen menu FREE… Continue reading 30 Best Cinematography Books That Actually Inspire

Practical Effects in Film — How Filmmakers Do It For Real

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The Arc Shot — Examples and Camera Movements Explained

Types of Camera MovementsOpen menu Insert Image Static Insert Image Pan Insert Image Tilt Insert Image Whip Pan Insert Image Pedestal / Boom Insert Image Track / Truck Insert Image Zoom Insert Image Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Insert Image Dolly Insert Image Aerial Insert Image Arc More ShotsOpen menu Insert Image All Shots & Angles Insert Image… Continue reading The Arc Shot — Examples and Camera Movements Explained

The Making of The Last of Us — Writing, Visuals & FX Explained

The Last of Us is one of HBO’s most recent blockbuster television shows. Looking at a history of video game adaptations, the cards were stacked against the series, but it avoided all the pitfalls of previous takes on video games to become a resounding success. The secrets to the show’s quality can be found in… Continue reading The Making of The Last of Us — Writing, Visuals & FX Explained

What is Rhythm in Art — Principles, Types & Techniques

Basics of CompositionOpen menu Insert Image What is Composition Insert Image Rules of Shot Composition Insert Image Rules of Composition SizeOpen menu Insert Image Scale Insert Image Proportion BalanceOpen menu Insert Image Asymmetrical Balance Insert Image Symmetrical Balance Insert Image Radial Balance Insert Image Golden Ratio Insert Image Foreground Elements Insert Image Texture Insert Image… Continue reading What is Rhythm in Art — Principles, Types & Techniques

M. Night Shyamalan Directing Style — Why He’s Underrated

Best Shyamalan MoviesShyamalan’s Style ExplainedThe Return of M. Night Shyamalan Love him or hate him, the M. Night Shyamalan directing style is worth studying. He’s made every kind of movie: universally loved, universally loathed, and a few that will endlessly divide audiences. But before he became a punching bag on the internet, Shyamalan was making… Continue reading M. Night Shyamalan Directing Style — Why He’s Underrated

What is Virtual Production — Pros, Cons & Process Explained

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What is Texture in Art — Definition, Examples & Types Explained

Basics of CompositionOpen menu Insert Image What is Composition Insert Image Rules of Shot Composition Insert Image Rules of Composition SizeOpen menu Insert Image Scale Insert Image Proportion BalanceOpen menu Insert Image Asymmetrical Balance Insert Image Symmetrical Balance Insert Image Radial Balance Insert Image Golden Ratio Insert Image Foreground Elements Insert Image Texture Insert Image… Continue reading What is Texture in Art — Definition, Examples & Types Explained

Shot List vs Storyboard — How They Differ & Why You Need Both

Filmmaking is a complex process that involves various stages and meticulous planning. Among the important aspects of filmmaking is the pre-production stage, where planning and organization are done before the actual filming. One of the critical tasks in pre-production is creating a plan for the shots that will be taken. Filmmakers use either shot lists, storyboards… Continue reading Shot List vs Storyboard — How They Differ & Why You Need Both

What is Post-Production — The Final Steps in the Process

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