Detective Scottie who suffers from acrophobia is hired to investigate the strange activities of an old friend's wife. She commits suicide while Scottie becomes dangerously obsessed with her.
30 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked for Filmmakers
Alfred Hitchcock is one of the all-time great auteur filmmakers. His films can be explained in the simplest of terms: You know it when you see it. Over 55 years, Alfred Hitchcock directed dozens upon dozens of films, some of which have joined the pantheon of the greatest movies in cinema history. In this article,… Continue reading 30 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies Ranked for Filmmakers
Chris Heckmann July 3, 2022
Vertigo Movie Explained — Plot, Characters, Themes & Legacy
After their first viewing, many people need the Vertigo movie explained. This Alfred Hitchcock film is beguiling and its initial release in 1958 was disappointing. It made significantly less than other Hitchcock films to date and it was widely panned by critics. Subsequently, Hitchcock bought back the rights to the film but it was widely… Continue reading Vertigo Movie Explained — Plot, Characters, Themes & Legacy
Rex Provost August 22, 2021
What is VistaVision — A History of Widescreen in Hollywood
Before the 1950s, nearly every single movie was in the same 4:3 aspect ratio. But then CinemaScope from 20th Century Fox changed the landscape with widescreen imagery to get people into theaters nationwide. Pretty soon, other studios were making their own widescreen movies, including Paramount Pictures with VistaVision. What is VistaVision, you ask? Well, it… Continue reading What is VistaVision — A History of Widescreen in Hollywood
Rafael Abreu June 20, 2021
25 Best Opening Scenes in Movies & What Makes Them Great
In psychology, there's something called the serial position effect. It means people tend to remember what comes first and last, not what occurs in the middle. Filmmakers know this phenomenon all too well. Combine that with today's stream-ability and countless options… and the opening to a film is as important as ever. Today, we study the best… Continue reading 25 Best Opening Scenes in Movies & What Makes Them Great
Theo Friedman May 23, 2021
What is the Vertigo Effect? The Hitchcock Zoom Explained
It is not uncommon for directors to take inspiration from previous great directors in history. Various techniques and styles are passed on through cinema like a tradition between filmmakers. The Vertigo effect is one of the most distinct examples of this. Films throughout the last sixty years have used the Vertigo effect in a variety… Continue reading What is the Vertigo Effect? The Hitchcock Zoom Explained
Kyle DeGuzman January 24, 2021
What is Peripeteia? A Deep Dive Into a Surprising Plot Device
Peripeteia. Is it a synonym for 'onomatopoeia'? A fancy potato? A lyric from Mary Poppin's "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Excellent guesses, but no. Peripeteia isn't written sound effects, a special tuber or delightful nonsense from the Poppinverse. So, what is peripeteia? Despite how intimidating it may appear on paper, the peripeteia definition is a simple, but crucial, story… Continue reading What is Peripeteia? A Deep Dive Into a Surprising Plot Device
Peggy Sukhia December 27, 2020
What is a Complementary Color Scheme — Definition, Examples
What is a complementary color scheme? How can it be utilized in your filmmaking efforts, why does it matter and how is it different from other color palettes? We will be answering each of these questions and taking a look at the psychology of color in storytelling and showcasing some of the best complementary color… Continue reading What is a Complementary Color Scheme — Definition, Examples
Sam Kench November 22, 2020
The Different Types of Camera Lenses for Video and Photography
Types of LensesOpen menu Prime Lens Zoom Lens Anamorphic Lens Lens Basics More About Lens Types Focal LengthsOpen menu Wide Angle Lens (14mm – 35mm) Standard (35mm – 70mm) Telephoto Lens (70mm – 200mm) More Focal Lengths Specialty LensesOpen menu Macro Lens Fisheye Lens Tilt-Shift Lens Split-Diopter Lens Deakinizer Lens Lens BrandsOpen menu Lens Buying… Continue reading The Different Types of Camera Lenses for Video and Photography
SC Lannom November 15, 2020
How to Use Color in Film like Kubrick: Mise-en-Scène Elements Explained
Mise en scene plays a huge role in communicating the tone of a story — but what is mise en scene? In classical terms, mise en scene is the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play or film. Today, mise en scene is regarded as all of the elements that go into any… Continue reading How to Use Color in Film like Kubrick: Mise-en-Scène Elements Explained
Chris Heckmann September 20, 2020
23 Best Movie Scores of All Time — Filmmaker Playlist
What makes a great music score? Does it need to dominate the soundtrack or can go unnoticed in the background? Should a contemporary movie always use modern music or is it blasphemy for a period piece to include pop songs? Whether you have answers to these questions or not, there's no denying the power of… Continue reading 23 Best Movie Scores of All Time — Filmmaker Playlist
Theo Friedman August 10, 2020
How to Use Color in Film: 50+ Examples of Movie Color Palettes
A filmmaker is a visual artist. To be a great visual artist you need mastery of the color palette. Many of the greatest Directors, Cinematographers, and Production Designers have extensive backgrounds as visual artists themselves. There are many ways to use color in film. We're going to break down the key approaches as well as… Continue reading How to Use Color in Film: 50+ Examples of Movie Color Palettes
Mary Risk July 27, 2020
Best Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
When it comes to the best thriller movies of all time, there's a lot to choose from. While great thrillers involve the protagonist in constant and terrifying danger, some are more light hearted, while still juggling with the concepts of life and death. With such a broad genre, there are many movies in the thriller genre… Continue reading Best Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
Rafael Abreu May 31, 2020
What is a Dolly Zoom (Zolly Shot) — Scene Examples of the Vertigo Effect
Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now The dolly zoom is one of the most discussed cinematic techniques. You can use them in many ways, but a great director will find… Continue reading What is a Dolly Zoom (Zolly Shot) — Scene Examples of the Vertigo Effect
SC Lannom May 10, 2020
Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
Browse Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Whether you're working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
StudioBinder May 3, 2020
S.S. Rajamouli Movies — The Entire Filmography Ranked
What is a Softbox Used For in Photography & Lighting Tips
The Portrait Shot List — How to Prepare For Your Next Shoot
What is Active Voice in Writing — Definition, Examples & Tips
What is a Palindrome — Definition, Examples & How They Work