Paul Chitlik has taught thousands of screenwriters at UCLA’s film school. In his new book, he shares invaluable techniques for the most important step of the screenplay – the...

by Hamish Spearson - With countless slasher remakes and Japanese horror scene rip-offs filling our screens of late there has been a dearth of great horror on contemporary cinema screens. Perhaps if today’s film-makers are to create truly great horror films again they need to look to the past for some lessons in creating suspense or sustaining mood. Let’s take a look at some truly impressive...

Making smoke for a movie effect can be done using a traditional fog machine, dry ice or a mosquito smoker. Find ways to create the illusion of smoke withhelp from a movie producer in this free video on filmmaking. Expert: Shaun O’Rourke Bio: Shaun O’Rourke is a producer and owner of Eleven Bravo Productions. He has produced an independent horror movie in which he created his own special...

by Dave Mercier - The idea behind writing for comedy is easy enough to understand – make people laugh – but the elements that result in something that is truly funny are complex and varied. Comedy is essentially drama without the laughs, and, just as in drama writing, there are formulas to writing a successful comedy. Humor can be used in almost all aspects of writing: in conflict, in character...

Fake body parts can easily be created out of recycled materials, such as PVC pipe, packing foam, old couch cushions and old clothing. Shop at thrift stores for materials for making fake body parts with information from a professional special effects technician in this free video on filmmaking. Expert: John P. Funk Contact: www.cozmicfunk.com Bio: John Funk has been working professionally in the computer...

Step -by-Step How-To Plan and Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay… Developing the Exotic World the Middle in Novels, Memoirs, and Screenplays This video, shot in Santa Cruz California for writers, discusses the use of the exotic world in the middle of stories and in real life with tips on how to use antagonists in your own story. How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay is a series of steps and meant...

Learn how the principals of Robert McKee’s ‘STORY’ can aid novelists – plot, structure and being ruthless with your own...

by Ross Lincoln – As a writer, your dream on making it big in the entertainment industry is selling a script and making a movie out of it. Movies are one of the best forms of entertainment in the world. Since the invention and advancement in movie technology, people were always fascinated on how a movie works. One of the most important necessities to make a good movie is not the graphic effects you...

“Relive the pain and humiliation of high school” in the only companion books to the acclaimed, Emmy® award-winning TV show, just released on DVD for the first time in response to extraordinary fan demand. Though only airing for 18 episodes, the Dreamworks Television comedy/drama Freaks and Geeks (NBC, 1999-2000) earned extraordinary critical acclaim, and developed a devoted fan base that...

2008 Edition The authoritative guide to funding, preparing, shooting, lighting, editing, finishing and distributing your film or video Widely acknowledged as the “bible” of film and video production and used in courses around the world, this indispensable guide to making movies is now updated with the latest advances in high- definition formats. For students and teachers, the professional and the...