Filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has said, “Fear of the unknown is a great creative partner.”Throughout Inarritu's filmography the director has continually embraced the uncertainty of life’s moments; allowing his audiences to cry with joy and scream with fear.Here are four ways Inarritu's shooting style influences the emotions of his narratives. Continue reading Mastering the Shot List: Alejandro González Inarritu
Zack Snyder movies are full of bold color choices. Sometimes this is the color grade, sometimes this is the production design. What drives these decisions, and how can you apply them to your own films? In this post, we'll take you into our analysis on Zack Snyder movies like The Watchmen, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, 300, and more to illustrate how color can be a superpower in the hands of the right director. We also give you a FREE color in film Ebook with 50+ examples from movies. Continue reading Mastering the Color Palette: Zack Snyder
Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky once said, “If during my work I find that a shot or a take might resemble what has already been done by another great director, I modify the scene to prevent that from happening.”Although the auteur only completed seven feature films, his singular cinematic style continues to inspire audiences.Here are some ways Andrei Tarkovsky movies employ effective shot design.Continue reading Mastering the Shot List: Andrei Tarkovsky
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 choices. Here are some of the ways his shooting style enhanced Christopher Nolan’s filmography.Continue reading Mastering the Shot List: Christopher Nolan
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 to Write and Shoot Action Scenes Like Kingsman
When you hear Pixar, you probably think about 3D Animation. Well, honestly, I bet you think about a little bouncing lamp squishing a letter, but hey, same thing really. While Pixar has been setting the standards of 3D Animation, it’s nothing compared to the deep, meaningful story in each and every Pixar film. The Pixar storytelling formula is real and we're going to tell you all about it.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 — Fallout as an example.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 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 Film Techniques You Can Learn From Andrei Tarkovsky Right Now
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
