As Hollywood gears up for the glitz and glamour of the 96th Academy Awards, film enthusiasts worldwide are buzzing with excitement. Scheduled to take place on [insert date], this prestigious event promises to celebrate the finest achievements in cinema from the past year. From groundbreaking performances to captivating storytelling, the anticipation is palpable as we await the unveiling of this year’s winners. Having an Oscars party with friends? Check out our downloadable Oscars Ballot so you can play along! Click the image to download. As we count down the days until the big event, the an ..read more

Embarking on the exhilarating journey into the realm of filmmaking, one often finds themselves enchanted by the irresistible allure of the director’s chair—the epicenter of creative power, emotion, and storytelling magic. But what exactly does it take to ascend to this lofty position?    To uncover the secrets of this captivating realm, we need to look no further than the dynamic and visionary director, David Michan. Renowned for his groundbreaking work not only in film but also in television, Michan stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring directors worldwide. As the lead fil ..read more

With the new year coming up, we’re recapping our student successes during 2023. From the bustling classrooms to the bustling film industry, our alumni have not just embraced the art of filmmaking; they have elevated it to new heights. So, grab your virtual popcorn and join us on this thrilling journey through the alumni success stories that bring pride to our film school and inspire the next generation of storytellers to dream big, aim high, and shoot for the stars. FILM FESTIVALS High End Dying 2023 | Directed by Helen Liu Official Selection of Crazy8s When elite-level chef Eloise Vaughn rec ..read more

  Nearly fifty years ago George Romero forever changed the landscape of the indie horror films with his debut feature Night of the Living Dead (1968). This tradition has continued as emerging directors have used horror to launch their careers, consistently breathing new life into the genre—from Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead (1981) to Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). This generation introduces a new wave of indie horror films that play with cultural influences, horror clichés and self-awareness within their work. Here are ten indie horror films that are redefining ..read more

As we watch the summer fade into the background, back to school season has rushed in to take its place. Get in the academic spirit by diving into some of the best back to school movies!      From iconic classics to modern masterpieces, these great back to school movies are not only entertaining but also empowering! They offer valuable life lessons to help you navigate the academic landscape and ease the transition to student life. Whether you’re a new student looking for cinematic inspiration, or simply seeking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, this article has 20 great back t ..read more

In this new age of emerging AI technology and disruptions within the the film industry, one question has been on many our minds: Will AI replace screenwriters in Hollywood? Keep on reading to hear our 8 reasons why AI will never replace screenwriters in the film industry.      The essence of authentic storytelling is firmly rooted in the human experience. Stories that call to the complexities of human emotion and the impact of different relationships we form in our lives. While AI can certainly be used for analysis or identifying trends within groups of data, anything requiring ..read more

  Lighting is a crucial part of the filmmaking experience. It gives films a special look and style that can be unique to the film and can help facilitate more dynamic storytelling. It affects the tone, mood, and can subconsciously control the audience’s emotion as well. Understanding fundamental lighting is extremely important for better cinematography. Here are 3 tips you MUST know in order to be a better cinematographer!   1. LARGER LIGHT SOURCES = SOFTER LIGHT   Pictures just look naturally better when they’re taken outside on a bright day because the sun is your primary, al ..read more

So you want to use a green screen in your next project! Green screen’s are a great way to introduce more fictional elements into your scene. In this blog post we’ll go through everything you need to know about how to film with green screen. When it comes to blockbuster movies, we all know the fantastical backgrounds actually look quite underwhelming while on set. The real “magic” takes place in post production. By using green screens (and major help from VFX artists and compositors), filmmakers are creating worlds with an unbelievable sense of authenticity. Learning how to film with green scr ..read more

The start of May 2023 signalled the beginning of a writers strike for Hollywood movie and television writers. While this may be an unfortunate turn of events, it certainly isn’t the first time the industry experienced a dip in production. Keep reading to learn about some Hollywood strikes over the years and how they impacted the industry going forward.     WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA STRIKE: 2007-2008 Over the years, Hollywood has witnessed various strikes involving different key players such as writers and actors. One example is the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike of 2007-2008 ..read more

What is Digital Makeup in VFX Compositing? In this blog post we’ll delve into the concept of digital makeup in VFX compositing and its advantages and disadvantages, along with examples found in film and the advantages of traditional makeup over digital makeup.     VFX COMPOSITING IN FILM VFX compositing is the process of combining multiple visual elements, such as live-action footage, computer-generated imagery (CGI), and other visual elements, to create a seamless and convincing image or scene in a film or video. This involves matching the lighting, color, perspective, and other as ..read more