Film Theory

Indirect Bounce Light example

Film Theory, Lighting

How to Use Indirect Bounce Light

It is incredible how just one light that is not direct, but bouncing off something, changes the mood and tone of your image. It doesn’t have to be from a bounce card; it can be a wall, a floor or a ceiling. Indirect light is one of my favorite lights to use. I feel it mimics what your eyes see because it is natural, soft, forgiving and beautiful.

Bill Murray sitting at table as killer whale swims behind him

Why Storytelling Should Matter To Filmmakers

MUSE takes you through the steps of story and character generation one element at a time utilizing many different methods, including video, printable worksheets, research exercises and personal consulting. The case studies in this pilot program apply directly to corporate, documentary and wedding filmmakers most directly but narrative storytellers

Shane Hurlbut ASC teaches lighting techniques

Film Theory, Lighting

The Power of Shaping Hard Light

Shaping light can add a 3D quality to your image. In this video, I will show you how you can create a window pattern in your background to create that depth.

Filmmaker Elwood Walker on set

Go Inside the Mind of Writer, Director and Editor Elwood Walker

Meet Elwood Quincey Walker, an up and coming Director, Writer and Editor. Last year he signed with the production company Adolescent Content.

Filmmaking Knots gif

Film Theory, Lighting, Production

Essential Knots for Filmmaking: Bowline

I am going to take you through the four most essential knots in filmmaking and we start with the number one used knot in the movie business: the bowline.

Transparent Amazon series poster

Film Theory, Production

In-depth Look at Amazon’s “Transparent” with Cinematographer Jim Frohna

Guest blogger Jim Frohna describes working on the Amazon Prime hit show "Transparent" and shooting with the Canon C500.

Shane Hurlbut adjusts a light

Film Theory, Lighting

Illumination Experience Galleries

Welcome to our gallery of Illumination Experience photos.

Illumination Experience Tour

Announcements, Film Theory, Lighting

The Illumination Experience Educational Tour

Lighting techniques and camera composition is the focus of this course tailored to open your mind in new ways. I have designed this experience to be immersive, interactive and intimate using simple techniques to build confidence with any budget.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera

Cinematography, Film Theory

Blackmagic Cinema Camera: The Perfect Training Ground for Cinematographers

The similarities of 16mm film and the Blackmagic Cinema Camera (BMCC) and why it is a great training ground for cinematographers.

Lydia and Shane Hurlbut with their daughter Kyra

Cinematography, Film Theory

CineGear: On the Couch with Nino

Watch the "On the Couch" interview Lydia and I did with Nino Leitner at Cinegear.

Production Lighting Breakdowns - Filmmakers Academy

Film Theory, Lighting

Need for Speed Lighting Breakdowns

Lighting car interiors at night. How I light, what choices I make with specific units, and why one lighting tool is selected over another.

Need for Speed Gear and Cinematography

Cinematography, Film Theory, Production

Need For Speed: Innovation, Gear and Cinematography

This post give you insight into how we pulled everything off. Need for Speed was shot on four different camera sensors.

Snowboarding gif

Cinematography, Film Theory

Turning Your GoPro Hero 3 into a Cinematic Movie Making Machine

We tested the GoPro Hero 3 and figured out what it would do best, which was immerse an audience like never before.

Need for Speed - Flip him he's done gif

Film Theory, Production

The Power of a Stuntman in Need for Speed: No CGI Required

Need for Speed photography was done practically without the existence of CGI cars, planes, helicopters or virtual worlds and done with an elite group of professional drivers and extreme risk takers that put you in the driver seat at 180mph.

The Perfect Storm novel by Sebastian Junger

7 Books That Will Enhance Your Creativity As a Cinematographer

These seven books take you on my creative inspirational journey. The written word was added to my tool box and this is when my creativity expanded exponentially.

Drumline poster

Cinematography, Film Theory

Creating a Level of Intensity with Internal Camera Settings

Shutter angle is an important story-telling tool. As a Director of Photography, I love this technique and wanted to show you how I have used it to assist in the character’s emotional arc.

Large Sensor Video Cameras DSLR Cinema

Film Theory, Lighting

DSLR Cinema: Crafting the Film Look with Large Sensor Video Cameras

This week's post will focus on the subject of DSLR cinema and a fantastic resource known by the same name - DSLR Cinema: Crafting the Film Look with Large Sensor Video Cameras.

Sean Connery and Harrison Ford gif

Film Theory, Lighting, Production

Essential Knots for Filmmaking: Clove Hitch

A useful knot to know for filmmaking is the clove hitch knot. The clove hitch can grip anything, from round objects, to square objects, to rectangles, it can wrap around pretty much any shape.

Shane Hurlbut lighting hallway

Film Theory, Lighting

Shane Hurlbut Returns to NeedCreative podcast

I joined the NeedCreative Podcast again this week. We talked about the art and science of cinematography and then did a mini-workshop. I go into story scenarios and how I would light and lens them.

Three large camera rigs outside urban

Cinematography, Film Theory, Pre Production

Digital Cinematography vs Film: Tides are Turning

As I embark on a long creative, exciting journey on Need for Speed with DreamWorks, I wanted to share some of my most recent findings from a five day camera test that pushed every camera to its breaking point.