Streaming and Lost Media
One of the darkest trends to emerge from the rise of streaming: shows or movies that are no longer available anywhere... Lost Media.
Read MoreThe Disney Problem – Video Essay
A discussion on the modern era of Disney and why its box office domination and monopolistic control of properties is a very bad thing. TZF Video Essay Series.
Read MoreMedia Shapes Cultures
While media reflects the world in which it was created, it can also influence and shape the culture around it.
Read MoreHorror: An Underrated Genre: Part 2 – Video Essay
Part two: Celebrating the history and impact of the horror genre on the world of film and the audience. Part of the TZF Video Essay Series.
Read MoreThe Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Case for Letting a Story End
What the Marvel Cinematic Universe can teach us about the importance of letting completed stories end - and why that matters.
Read MoreHorror: An Underrated Genre: Part 1 – Video Essay
Part one: Celebrating the history and impact of the horror genre on the world of film and the audience. Part of the TZF Video Essay Series.
Read MoreTV and Movies: Switching Sides
TV and movies: How the mediums differ and how, in the modern era, many of their defining characteristics have entirely reversed.
Read MoreTrailer Trash: How to Make a Good Trailer – Video Essay
A discussion on the shortcomings of modern movie trailers and the best practices required to make your own. TZF Video Essay Series.
Read MoreThe Theatrical to Home Release Timeline: Redux
A re-examination of the current theatrical to home release timeline and the drastic changes it has undergone in the past few years.
Read MoreOriginal Ideas vs Franchises – Video Essay
A discussion on modern cinema's love and over-reliance on film franchises as opposed to original ideas (and why it matters).
Read MoreWhy Filler Sucks
A discussion on the prevalence of filler in in popular media and why the practice is so common... and frustrating.
Read MoreScreenwriting and Re-writing – Video Essay
A practical discussion of the act of screenwriting and how to to go from idea to a finished screenplay. Part of the Triple Zero Films Video Essay Series.
Read MoreMovies vs Films
A look at the terminology of movies and films. Are they the same thing and how do they differ from one another?
Read MoreThe Importance of Physical Media – Video Essay
Why physical media matters and why you should care. Part of the Triple Zero Films Video Essay Series.
Read MoreStreaming Wars – Too Much Choice, Too Many Bills
An examination of the rise of streaming platforms, their benefits, and the many downsides that come with them.
Read MoreContent vs Art – Video Essay
Are movies art, or are they "content?" Can they be both and why it matters. Part of the Triple Zero Films Video Essay Series.
Read MoreThe Upside of Formula in Media
An examination of the use of storytelling formula in the medium of film and television and why it can be a good thing.
Read MoreNot Everything needs to be a Cinematic Universe
A discussion of the merits - and downsides - of crafting a cinematic universe and why complex interconnected stories aren't always best.
Read MoreThe Complexity of Film
An examination of the many complex areas of artistry that are required to bring a film to life and how impressive a feat it is.
Read MoreThe Magic of the Theatrical Experience
A brief history of the movie theater and a discussion about what makes seeing a movie in that setting so special.
Read MoreArt vs The Creator
A look into the whether or not it is possible to separate an artistic work from the person or people who created it - or if we should.
Read MoreIs Rotten Tomatoes Rotten?
A examination of the movie review website Rotten Tomatoes and its impact on the cinematic landscape, both good and bad.
Read MoreReview Culture
The modern landscape of media review has become increasingly saturated, with a strong trend towards polarization. This isn't a good thing.
Read MoreThe Theatrical to Home Release Timeline
One topic that has always fascinated me is the theatrical to home release timeline – that is, the journey that a film takes from its premier to being bought on Blu-ray at your local...
Read MoreStory Structure Doesn’t Matter
An examination of the different types of story structures and why - ultimately - they don't matter.
Read MoreArtful Adaptation
A prose-filled discussion of the process of adapting a piece of art from one medium to another.
Read MoreWhy Practical is Always Better *Except when it’s not
An examination into the use of practical special effects in film and why they are so effective.
Read MoreThe Benefits of an Animatic
I’ve spoken before about what all goes into crafting storyboards for a feature film. While these static images are of immense help in beginning to determine and crystalize the look of your story, on...
Read MoreWhy Endings Matter: The Importance of Sticking the Landing
A discussion of crafting a satisfying finale to a story - what makes an ending work and why it's important to nail the landing.
Read MoreMain on Ends
An analysis of the modern trend of films putting their main title sequence at the end rather than the beginning.
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