What was so unconventional about the production of “Beat the Devil”?
John Huston had a script for a film called Beat the Devil (1953). The film was cast, production was soon to begin, and John Huston realized he hated the script. On a stopover in Rome, at the…
What film style is “Beat the Devil”? Does it work today?
John Huston’s Beat the Devil (1953) is an awkward film delegated a cinematic classic primarily for that very awkwardness It is an arrow-straight, deadpan spoof of the noir genre and Huston’s…
In “The Matrix,” Why Couldn’t the Rooftop Agent Dodge Trinity’s Bullet?
When Trinity said, "Dodge this," in "The Matrix," all evidence suggests the Agent should have been able to comply.
The Filmmaker’s Handbook: How are Matte Shots Created?
Matte shots are shots incorporating live-action film footage with a matte painting to render an environment that would be impossible to physically film.
The Filmmaker’s Handbook: What is a Dutch Tilt?
The Dutch angle, or Dutch tilt, is a camera shot stemming from German Expressionism where the camera is tilted to create a disoriented, crooked shot.
The Filmmaker’s Handbook: What Are Bridging Shots and Match Cuts?
Bridging cuts are shots that connect disconnected moments in film. They indicate the passage of time or change of scenery through pleasing visuals. Match cuts perform a similar service but are…
The Filmmaker’s Handbook: What is an Arc Shot and How is it Used?
An arc shot is when a camera rotates around a relatively stationary subject in a half-circle motion, revealing different parts of the subject and their background.
The Filmmaker’s Handbook: What is an Aerial Shot?
The aerial shot is a wide, grand exterior shot which is used to establish setting, show scale or isolate its focal character.
How Similar Are “Forrest Gump” and “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button”?
Screenwriter Eric Roth writes two coming-of-age stories that, under closer examination, have remarkable similarities.
Did the NFL Get Their Hands on “Concussion” Before Release?
Whether or not the NFL managed to influence the content of "Concussion" from its original scripted version is a point of contention among viewers and media outlets.