You are here: / / Film Theory

Film Theory

Altering the color of image

Colors in Filmmaking – What Do YOURS Represent?

How Color Archetypes can affect your work as a filmmaker. Understanding color archetypes takes time, but it’s manageable when applied with common sense.
Behind-the-Scene of Logan film

Depth of Field:Lenses & Emotion in Filmmaking

Properly crafting the cinematography of a movie is a crucial part of the filmmaking process. Let’s talk about a few different styles of film language. There are so many options to choose from when crafting a scene, but it comes down to picking the right ones.
A grid of movie posters
,

Harnessing Your Inspiration

Take hold of your inspiration and run with it! If that’s one thing I can share with everyone, it is to not avoid what makes you tick as a filmmaker. That soul and essence will be what carries you to greater levels, not conforming to what everyone else wants in the moment, or looks for you to be. Stay true to your style, your passions, and what you want to get out of this industry.
Filmmakers and cinematographers at workshop

Artist Spotlight – Featured Creators

The team here at Shane’s Inner Circle and Hurlbut Visuals wants to continue to support the careers of our members by providing a new platform for exposure: The “Artist Spotlight” hosted on the front page of The Hurlblog. Our new “Artist Spotlight” is a way for our members to share their own stories of how they’ve applied what they’ve learned in the Inner Circle on a recent project. We want to give members the opportunity to dive into detail with their own article that we’ll host here on the Hurlblog.
IMAX camera on rig outside
,

Tips for Mixed Formats in Cinematography

Throughout my career, I have been interested in using and mastering different mediums to enhance the storytelling experience. Since the dawn of cinema, movies have been captured on celluloid. As time progressed, we introduced new acquisition formats and film gauges like 8mm, 16mm, Super 8mm, 65mm, video tape, and digital video capture. Each new format registers a certain mood/feel due to past experiences with the medium or how it’s been utilized in the history of the moving image. So, how can you utilize different formats to enhance a story?
Bladerunner android pigeon

Camera Emotion – Creating a Look Part 3: Establishing Time Periods

The look for 2014 in Fathers and Daughters had to feel temporary, lean, crisp, sharp. There would not be any yellow from the Tiffen Antique Suede filtration. The camera emotion has to speak for each character. Taking an actor’s performance even higher is dependent on the camera and how it makes the audience feel. We cannot leave that to only the look of the film itself. We turned to the MoVI for that camera emotion and it worked beautifully in this film.
Camera operator with long lens
,

Focal Length: Go Long or Go Wide

One question I get asked a lot is how to choose the right focal length. Do I go long in a certain situation or do I go wide? How do you know what to choose? There are different times to employ various focal lengths - knowing when to employ each is part of the craft that is cinematography. Here’s my secret sauce for choosing whether to go long or wide in a scene.
Aaron Paul and Amanda Seyfried in bath tub
,

Black Glimmer – Creating a Look Part 2: Fathers and Daughters

I wanted to nail the look of Fathers and Daughters in-camera. To do that I turned to Tiffen filtration. The 1989 is Katie’s perspective from when she was 10 years old. This look had to be warm, inviting, colorful, with flares and glowing highlights. The Tiffen Antique #2 gave us this yellow, slightly aged quality to it all. The highlights were perfectly bloomed with the Glimmer Glass #1. These filters were magical and got us right where we want to be, all in-camera.
XEEN 20mm III Lens
,

Xeen 20mm Lens Overview

Xeen’s lineup of lenses are spectacular. They’ve hit the nail square on the head with both the look and the price point. They’re true cinema glass that people can afford to own. Xeen’s image quality is unique and beautiful. Here's a brief look at the Xeen 20mm, specifically at its image quality, breathing, and color rendition.
Tiffen NDs for filmmaking - Need for Speed
,

Tiffen ND – Creating a Look Part 1: Rules of Engagement

All of these rules of engagement mean being obsessed with the subtleties. In a 2 hour (plus) feature film, you’re not going to see it. Rather, you’re going to feel it. That’s what the emotion is all about. You want to feel it in some way and not be taken out of the film because of camera work.
Jon Snow battles army

How To Hide the Cut in a Oner

“How do you seamlessly stitch a one shot sequence together using multiple shots?” This is a great question because not many cinematographers break it down. These are just a few of tips from Shane Hurlbut, ASC to get you in the pocket for the perfect “oner.” Shane’s Inner Circle members received his full in-depth guide to one shot sequences as part of their monthly subscription in June 2017. Sign up today and never miss articles like this to enhance your filmmaking!
Shane Hurlbut presenting at NAB
, ,

Pushing Yourself as a Filmmaker with Musicbed

Back in April, I met with Musicbed at their NAB Show booth to have a 1-on-1 discussion. Musicbed has become such a powerful tool for filmmakers, musicians, and artists alike. It’s always a great time to visit with them and it was such a pleasure to be interviewed by them at NAB. This is the 2nd half of the interview, the first half was released right here on The Hurlblog. Enjoy!!
Cinematography gif
,

Filmmaking Career: Searching for Success (Part 2)

Don't stress too much on your journey, it will always be changing, but these are some important things to know as you grow your filmmaking career.
2016 Musicbed Film Initiative Winner 'Embers & Dust'
,

Musicbed Film Initiative Winner, Brilliantly Blends Fiction and Reality

Patrick Biesemans was chosen as the winner of MusicBed's 2016 Film Initiative, and his film is called ‘Embers & Dust.' Here is a little Q&A between Musicbed and Patrick on the development of his project.
Color Palette gif

Building a Color Palette In Your Film

I’m going to give you ideas of where to start with your projects and how to create that look that you will capture in camera. This is so much more than any sort of “preserving the look” conversation or having anything to do with post-production. This is the foundation of the look, painting with light and your camera.
Michael Scott with Will Ferrell
,

The Director & DP Relationship: Collaborating on Character & Story

After I completed production on Season 1 of AMC's "Into the Badlands," I invited our Director, Guy Ferland, to accompany me during a speaking educational event at Revolution Cinema Rentals, here in Los Angeles.  I wanted to talk about how we shaped the look and feel of the show, from pre-production…
Filmmaking app captures concert
,

The Master Collection of Filmmaking Apps

These apps are always on my phone and at my side ready to get me rolling.
Simba growing up with Timon and Pumba
,

5 Tips for Growing Your Filmmaking Career

No matter what you’re trying to be in your career, there is one thing that never changes and stays true - the relationships you build. They are the most important aspect of your career.
Movie lighting indoor scene
, ,

Filmmakers Academy: On Set of Fathers and Daughters (Day 3)

The past two years have been truly amazing as we continue to grow Shane’s Inner Circle. Our vision becomes clearer every day, as filmmakers from all over the world have joined together to form an outstanding community of support, growth, and knowledge - where visionaries thrive and hone their skills…
Ms. Piggy bending prison bars
,

Filmmaking Advice: Breaking Into the Film Industry

Breaking into the film industry means not being scared of the failure. You gotta be fearless.

Newsletter Signup

Trustpilot

Filmmakers Academy Master Your Craft logo

Ready to join?

BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN

CONTENT

Blog
Podcast
Content Library
Shane’s Kit
Glossary

STORE

Courses
Private Coaching
Buy a Gift Card

ABOUT US

Our Story
Our Mentors
FAQs
Contact Us
Become Affiliate

DOWNLOAD

Filmmakers Academy, Los Angeles, CA Born in Los Angeles, CA.

Terms Of Use         Cookie Policy         Privacy Policy

2025 © Hurlbut Visuals, All Rights Reserved.