Lighter cameras are making shaky-cam more of a problem, especially in drama, and evidence shows that the viewing public doesn’t like it. So, what do we mean by shaky-cam, or as some keyboard warriors on social media call it—queasy-cam. Well, what it isn’t is the Jason Bourne

Learn everything you need to know about creating a horror film from start to finish with these helpful tutorials. It’s the season for horror. Whenever it starts to slightly drop in temperature from summer to fall, every horror movie guy and girl will undoubtedly break out their favorite

Check out this recent “Last of Us” fan film and see how far homegrown passion projects have come. It’s certainly hit or miss. With all the different genres and styles of filmmaking out there, video game adaptations are by far the most inconsistent in quality and frequen

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about producing and editing effective flashback sequences. Cover Image via Warner Brothers. Everyone knows a flashback when they see one—it’s a tried-and-true narrative tool. Really, there are two types of flashbacks. While

Through the clever use of Nikon stills lenses and carefully chosen film stock, Stanley Kubrick created one of the most naturalistic war movies of all time. In today’s edition of “Holy Crap, That’s So Interesting,” we’re going to look at how a classic film (w

An interview with the viral filmmaker and the serious documentarian behind one of this year’s most important documentary films. While living in the small Texas panhandle city of Amarillo, then twenty-four-year-old musician Hayden Pedigo had an idea for a video. Inspired by Harmony Korine

Swan Song director Todd Stephens and star Udo Kier share insight into how they worked together to develop the perfect on-screen character. Regardless of the project or film, it takes a strong relationship between a director and actor to truly unlock the best performances. However, in tho

Sound effects are essential to any form of filmmaking. Get some SFX inspiration from these cinematic sound design masterpieces. Filmmaking is a multidisciplinary artform. Whether it’s a million dollar blockbuster, a commercial television spot, or a narrative short you shoot on the weeken

Gather ’round the fire to hear how filmmakers turn to classic folklore to spin modern tales. Let’s begin with The Green Knight. It’s been several weeks now since I saw The Green Knight for the first time, and I think I’m finally ready to talk about it with friends and family.

As we get ready for Denis Villeneuve’s next masterpiece, let’s take a look at a film that was arguably treated unfairly upon release. Have you ever watched a movie and thought—okay, what the #%@$ is going on here?—but still enjoyed the experience? This is my relationship with

A close look into the blood, guts, and carnage from the many gritty genre films of Fantastic Fest 2021. Let’s get scared! Another year, another Fantastic Fest. Alamo Drafthouse’s annual film festival in Austin, Texas returns this year with a limited in-person run, which includes th

Follow these basic rules, tips, and tricks to keep your short micro-documentary projects fast, fun, and informative. As we’ve covered in the past, a new age of micro-documentaries is dawning. Filmmaking has shifted from cinema cameras to smartphones, and content has become shorter, tight

If it’s trending it’s cool, right? Let’s explore this by diving into the uses for a diffusion filter and what it can do for your next project. Every so often, a new visual trend comes along that takes the online filmmaking community by storm. You can’t tune into y

Let’s explore the filmmaking elements every rom-com needs to be successful, focusing on different writing, lighting, and editing techniques. As we’ve covered in the past as part of our guide to film genre theory, there are several types of romance films. From historical to paranormal, th

We dare to challenge one of the most famous, yet controversial, rules in film and video production. But, we’re not the only ones . . . If you’ve ever taken a single filmmaking class in film school, or attended any video production workshops, or even just watched film or video theor

These insightful documentaries about filmmaking can offer more inspiration and advice than any film class ever could.  If you want to learn about filmmaking, the first thing you should do is watch a lot of films. I mean, like, a lot of films. Watch everything you can. Watch films th

Horror happens in the edit. Let’s explore how pacing can create a feeling of dread that keeps your audience on edge and fully engaged. Well-made horror films stick with you. The horror classics, they keep you up at night and give you pause at odd times during the day. It’s a linge

A look into the thematic filmmaking techniques used (and mastered) by Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro. I distinctly remember the first time I saw a Guillermo del Toro movie. I was in high school and hadn’t been exposed to much “cinema” beyond summer blockbusters and what you mi

Losing projects is the worst. Especially because it doesn’t have to happen! Avoid disaster with these tips for backing up footage. If you’re new to filmmaking, the importance of backing up your footage may not be inherently obvious. In fact, it usually only becomes a consider

Go behind-the-scenes with PremiumBeat as we talk with Jonathan Winbush about his crypto art collaboration with DJ Mix Master Mike. PremiumBeat recently got a chance to talk with motion graphics artist Jonathan Winbush and go behind-the-scenes on his latest crypto art project, which is a