Filmmaking

‘Gravity’ and the Line Between Realistic and Believable Sound Design

In sound cinema, the impression of silence is rarely...well, silent. Here's a look at 'Gravity' to explain why. Read More

The Beginner’s Guide to Deciphering Movie Credits

Here's your one-stop beginner's guide to deciphering the meaning, placement, and purpose of movie credits. Read More

How Quentin Tarantino Shoots a Car Scene

Buckle up. Here's a video essay on a type of scene that's easily taken for granted. Read More

How the Special Effect of Slow Motion Works

Here's a breakdown of how slow motion went from a technological hurdle to an aesthetic choice. Read More

How Camera Lenses Affect How We Identify with Characters

Here's a video essay that looks at the suggestive, subtle psychological qualities of camera lenses. Read More

Why Most Movies are Shot with Two Dominant Colors

Remember the orange and teal plague of the 2010s? Good times. Read More

The Sound Design of ‘The Lord of the Rings’

Turns out understanding how they designed the screams of the Nazgûl only makes them creepier. Read More

How Does the Dolly Zoom Work?

Here's how cinematographers accomplish the disorienting trick also known as "the 'Vertigo' effect." Read More

The Importance of Cinema’s Happy Accidents

Hey, accidents happen. Hopefully the cameras caught it. Read More