Framing
The Off-Centre Face: What Changes When a Subject Leaves the Middle
Learn how off-centre framing directs attention from a face to the space around it, revealing relationships, pressure…
The full reading list
All articles
Browse explanations of film form, sound, design and cinema history. Each article takes one screen choice at a time and gives you something specific to look for.
Editing
Hard Cut or Dissolve? Two Ways to Bridge a Change of Scene
A hard cut or dissolve changes how a scene transition feels: learn to choose between a sharp break and a visible…
Sound
Room Tone: The Sound That Makes Silence Feel Occupied
Room tone gives film scenes a lived-in acoustic space. Learn how to choose, place and check its texture so quiet…
Design
The Borrowed Room: How Existing Locations Shape Production Design
Existing locations shape production design through fixed sightlines, surfaces and light. Learn how to turn a room’s…
Film History
When Audiences First Heard a Film: The Change to Synchronized Sound
Synchronized sound in film history reshaped cinema’s live performance, acting and audience attention—and explains why…
Our point of view
Look closely before reaching a verdict
A film’s effect often begins in its construction. We name the choices on screen and leave room for viewers to decide what they mean.