It goes without saying that filmmaking is a thoroughly visual medium. Artists, amateurs and cinema lovers alike will agree that what makes a good film better and a great film outstanding is the distinct visual language the story employs. It can communicate without words, conveying information and underlining key moments with just the simplest glance ...
Cinema lovers and filmmakers may often find themselves grappling with an existential question: who does the film belong to — the director or the writer? In attempting to answer such a momentous question, one may often overlook those who’re responsible for bringing the writer and directors’ creative collaboration to life. Yes, I’m talking about cinematographers, ...
Picture this: it’s a triumphant moment for the protagonist in a film, and the camera frames them from the waist up — hip cocked, confident and secure as they look out at the audience. If the kind of set-up that I’m describing sounds familiar, then you’re probably thinking of the cowboy shot. One of the ...
One of the most crucial elements of film and television, a screenplay is a written document that guides everything happening on screen. Also known as a script, it serves as a medium that illuminates the narrative — from the action to stage setting and location. Writing a screenplay is a crucial step in transforming an ...
Method acting is an acting school of thought that has received wide coverage due to the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis and Joaquin Phoenix amongst others. It has been adopted to get under the skin of a character so the performer is no longer acting and is behaving as the character themselves thereby leading to incredibly ...
Although both cinematography and filmmaking are video related roles, they possess distinct differences. Cinematography is the art and technique of motion-picture photography in cinema. Cinematographers are responsible for bringing the film director’s artistic vision to life by working on a host of camera techniques. Filmmaking on the other hand is a fluid term, simply referring ...
Filmmakers today can instantly access a wealth of film-related resources online. For many aspiring filmmakers, the need to attend film school has been supplanted by the insights and instructions provided by these blogs, channels, and podcasts. However, with so many options at your fingertips, it might be difficult to choose from among these. We at ...
Christopher Nolan is notorious for being a director/screenwriter whose films yield endless interpretations over and over. The more one tries to unravel the central foundation of any particular film of his, the more details emerge with every subsequent rewatch. Of course, his latest film, Tenet, is no different. In many ways, it combines the tropes ...
While there are a great number of elements that go into making a film, creating a story structure is undoubtedly the stepping stone. A good story that progresses in a convincing, logical manner is the fundamental requirement of any film. It sets the direction for character development and plot progression, and defines the film. Of ...
The choice of lens in cinematography is integral to a scene’s portrayal. From a technical point of view, a lens helps external light bend so that an image can be captured and created on a film strip or digital sensor of a camera. But besides its optical property, a lens also has the capability to ...
It seems strange that a character as iconic as The Joker only received an origin story of sorts as recently as 2019. Over the years, The Joker has been a cultural icon. He has transcended his status as a comic book character to become a celluloid enigma. The character had first appeared on screens in ...
Amongst acting techniques in general, and naturalistic methods in particular, the Meisner technique has been immensely influential in ushering a mode of interpretive acting. Developed by Sanford Meisner, this methodology of acting is often referred to as the “real people” technique. It involves the actors inhabiting a character, instead of simply pretending to play them. ...
In many ways, one can consider Captain Marvel (2019) as an artistic product thoroughly defined by its circumstances. In 2019, two years after the release of Wonder Woman (2017) by WB and DC, the MCU had yet to make a film with a female superhero as the lead. Despite having an impressive roster of heroines ...
Cinematography, or the art of motion picture photography, is essential to cinema as it directly captures the vision of the director. It’s imperative to form a unique look and feel to the film, and enhance its narrative. While it comprises multiple elements like lighting, set composition, camerawork and aesthetic formality, the work of the cinematographer ...
After winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes 1994, Pulp Fiction has gone on to become one of the most popular cult films of the last decade. A year later, it swooped off an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, earning the status of one of the boldest and compelling gems of world cinema. The success ...
Dipankar Sarkar
