Chris Heckmann is a Professor of Media & Communication at Roger Williams University and graduate of UCLA’s Cinema & Media Studies Master of Arts program. When he’s not writing or teaching, he’s probably playing video games (or thinking about the next great Boston sports trade).
No genre has influenced the public’s perception of criminals more than Gangster Movies. For more than 80 years, the best gangster movies have fascinated and allured the minds of millions; from Prohibition-era pre-code crime to 21st Century gang life. Our list of the 30 best gangster movies of all time includes films that span the… Continue reading Top 30 Best Gangster Movies of All Time, Ranked (2023)
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image Top Mood Board Apps Insert Image What is a Mood Board Insert Image How to Make a Mood Board Insert Image Mood Board Layout Insert Image Mood Board Template Insert Image Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Insert Image Fashion Mood Board Insert Image Aesthetic Mood Board… Continue reading How to Make a Web Design Mood Board — Examples & Tips
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image Top Mood Board Apps Insert Image What is a Mood Board Insert Image How to Make a Mood Board Insert Image Mood Board Layout Insert Image Mood Board Template Insert Image Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Insert Image Fashion Mood Board Insert Image Aesthetic Mood Board… Continue reading How to Use a Mood Board Template — FREE Download
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image Top Mood Board Apps Insert Image What is a Mood Board Insert Image How to Make a Mood Board Insert Image Mood Board Layout Insert Image Mood Board Template Insert Image Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Insert Image Fashion Mood Board Insert Image Aesthetic Mood Board… Continue reading Mood Board Layout Explained — Rules, Sizes & Dimensions
Metatextuality plays an important role in the relationship between a text and its audience. But what is metatextuality? And why does it play an important role in the relationship between a text and its audience? We’re going to answer those questions by defining metatextuality, as well as by examining metatextual examples in films/games. By the… Continue reading What is Metatextuality — Definition, Examples & Types Explained
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image Top Mood Board Apps Insert Image What is a Mood Board Insert Image How to Make a Mood Board Insert Image Mood Board Layout Insert Image Mood Board Template Insert Image Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Insert Image Fashion Mood Board Insert Image Aesthetic Mood Board… Continue reading How to Make a Mood Board Without Photoshop
ProcessOpen menu Insert Image How to Make a Short Film Insert Image How to Write a Short Without Dialogue Insert Image Short Film Schedule Tips Insert Image Write a Short That Gets Noticed Insert Image Making a Short Film Insert Image How to Storyboard a Short Film Insert Image Phases of Short Film Pre-Production Insert… Continue reading How to Storyboard a Short Film — Examples and Templates
Trope EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Trope Insert Image What is a Cliche Insert Image Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Insert Image Character Tropes Insert Image Stock Character Insert Image Mary Sue Insert Image Manic Pixie Dream Girl Insert Image Mad Scientist Insert Image Femme Fatale Insert Image Damsel in… Continue reading What is a Trope — Definition and Examples in Movies
The ending of The Godfather Part II is one of the best movie endings of all time. Today, we’re going to break down everything that makes The Godfather Part II ending great – from plot and characters to music and production design. By the end, you’ll know how Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, and all… Continue reading The Godfather 2 Ending Explained (& Why It’s One of the Best)
What is Deductive Reasoning What is Abductive Reasoning What is Inductive Reasoning Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning What are Context Clues What is abductive reasoning? We know that “abduction” means “ to take away,” so is abduction what we take away through reason? Well, it is and it isn’t. Abductive reasoning is the least referenced type… Continue reading What is Abductive Reasoning — Problem Solving for Writers
Trope EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is a Trope Insert Image What is a Cliche Insert Image Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Insert Image Character Tropes Insert Image Stock Character Insert Image Mary Sue Insert Image Manic Pixie Dream Girl Insert Image Mad Scientist Insert Image Femme Fatale Insert Image Damsel in… Continue reading What is a Plot Twist — Definition, Examples and Types Explained
Basic CharactersOpen menu Insert Image Types of Characters in a Story Insert Image Protagonist Insert Image Deuteragonist Insert Image Antagonist Insert Image Hero Insert Image Anti Hero Insert Image Tragic Hero Insert Image Tritagonist Insert Image Superhero Insert Image Anti-Villain Insert Image Villain Insert Image Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Insert Image Common Character Types… Continue reading What is an Anti Hero — Definition, Examples in Film & Literature
Index & TimelineOpen menu Art Styles Explained Art History Timeline Renaissance (1400-1600)Open menu Renaissance Gothic Art Baroque (1600-1750)Open menu Rococo Baroque Classical (1750-1827)Open menu Classicism Neoclassicism Ukiyo-e Naturalism vs Realism Romantic (1827-1900)Open menu Romanticism Art Nouveau Kinetic Art Post Impressionism Primitivism Modern (1900-1970)Open menu Abstract Expressionism Avant Garde Bauhaus Conceptual Art Constructivism Art Cubism Dadaism… Continue reading Naturalism vs Realism in the Arts — Two Styles, Similar Goals
Basic CharactersOpen menu Insert Image Types of Characters in a Story Insert Image Protagonist Insert Image Deuteragonist Insert Image Antagonist Insert Image Hero Insert Image Anti Hero Insert Image Tragic Hero Insert Image Tritagonist Insert Image Superhero Insert Image Anti-Villain Insert Image Villain Insert Image Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Insert Image Common Character Types… Continue reading What is Characterization — A Guide to Character Building
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer What is a… Continue reading What is Dolby Atmos — A Leap Forward in Exhibition Sound
Adages, idioms, axioms, aphorisms: what makes each unique? We’re going to break down what makes aphorisms unique by asking the question “what is an aphorism?” and by exploring aphorism examples. By the end, you’ll know what aphorisms are and how to utilize them in everyday writing and conversation. Continue reading What is an Aphorism — Definition,… Continue reading What is an Aphorism — Definition, Examples and Writing Tips
Oh yes, we’ve come back to the ever-feared spec script; code-word for a script that isn’t commissioned. Writers far and wide, famous and infamous, all work on spec scripts. But what is a spec script? And what does it look like? Fear not, we’re going to answer those questions by looking at some spec script… Continue reading Spec Script Examples — What Does a Spec Script Look Like?
What is subtext? The age-old adage says that subtext is what’s inferred by reading between the lines, but how do we know what to look for? In this article, we’re going to define what subtext is, then look at some strong examples from screenplays. By the end, you’ll be ready to apply subtext into your… Continue reading What is Subtext — How to Use Subtext in Screenwriting
Basic CharactersOpen menu Insert Image Types of Characters in a Story Insert Image Protagonist Insert Image Deuteragonist Insert Image Antagonist Insert Image Hero Insert Image Anti Hero Insert Image Tragic Hero Insert Image Tritagonist Insert Image Superhero Insert Image Anti-Villain Insert Image Villain Insert Image Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Insert Image Common Character Types… Continue reading What is a Hero — Definition, Examples & Types Explained
BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What is Post-Production Insert Image What is VFX Insert Image What are Special Effects Insert Image What is Virtual Production Insert Image What is SFX Makeup Insert Image What is CGI Insert Image What is Mocap Insert Image What is Compositing Insert Image What is Matte Painting Insert Image What is… Continue reading What is Compositing — VFX Compositing Techniques Explained
