Types of Film Lighting
With the right kind of lighting, black and white films can be just as vibrant as any color or 3-D film. Shadows created by the key light, leaving half of a face obscured during...
Author: Liya Swift
How to Create 3-Point Lighting
It seems obvious that in order to create three-point lighting you would need three lights, but actually you don’t. Before we discuss how to create three-point lighting with less than three lights, let’s discuss...
How to Become a Film Director
Want to become a Hollywood heavyweight, with the power to make or break careers, film whatever you want without question, and be invited to every Academy Award after-party? Unfortunately, there’s no magic bullet to...
How Long Does it Take to Make a Movie?
Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope took all of 100 minutes to film. Meant to be filmed in real-time, Hitchcock planned every minute of the film, from moving sets to extended takes. Where most feature films need...
How to Become a Movie Producer
The most successful movie producers in the industry are able to bring almost any script to life and turn it into an award-winning blockbuster. It’s not just a matter of finding a diamond in...
What is SAG-AFTRA?
SAG-AFTRA in an American union created to protect and benefit movie and TV performers, radio announcers, singers, dancers and journalists. SAG-AFTRA is a combination of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of...
Cinematography Lighting Explained
Cinematography lighting plays a large role in filmmaking. Done well, it creates a mood and atmosphere for the film. It tells the audience where to look. It can accentuate the emotional psychology of a...
How Are Famous Movie Scripts Created?
“To make a good film, you just need three things: the script, the script, and the script.” -Alfred Hitchcock Scripts or screenplays are where all movies begin—without a script there is no film. Yet,...
A Practical Guide to the Film Production Process
Much has been written on the various jobs and positions involved in film production and the creative skills required by them. Here’s a practical guide, with an emphasis on the underlying and sometimes harsh...
Directing Actors: The Basics Every Director Should Know on How to Work with Actors
“Actors should be treated like cattle.” Alfred Hitchcock. “Directing is 90% casting.” Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, John Ford, Elia Kazan. The two preceding quotes represent the two extremes on how directors should work with...
