From the author
The blog.
Tips, guides, and inspiration to bring a cinematic touch for celebrations, home theater, and video projects.
History of the TriStar intro: the horse that stayed
Trace the history of the TriStar intro, beginning with a real horse and 1982 origins, then follow the studio changes that left the Pegasus flying.
5 Jurassic World wedding film ideas with real scale
Five places a Jurassic World opener fits in a wedding film, from the processional to a reception screening, with a note on when each is the wrong call.
Kodi Cinema Experience vs Doing It Yourself
I compare the Kodi Cinema Experience addon with a short manual pre-show: what its 33-step sequence does, where it fits and why I switched half of it off.
History of the Netflix intro and why the ta-dum works
The history of the Netflix intro, from Lon Bender's three-second ta-dum to the red N animation and Hans Zimmer's cinema version, and why it works.
Game of Thrones opening: the map that told the story
The Game of Thrones opening turned a clockwork map into a plot device. I explain how its changing locations, camera and music make the sequence work.
How I Make Plex Feel Like a Cinema at Home
How I make Plex feel like a cinema with the right order for lights, Plex Cinema Trailers, a studio preroll and the feature film, plus setup checks.
5 SpongeBob Birthday Party Ideas That Go Loud
Plan a SpongeBob birthday party with ideas for food, decor, games and a custom opening video, with honest advice on when each works best.
Stranger Things opening and why the eighties design won
See why the Stranger Things opening still defines 1980s title design, with ITC Benguiat, red letterforms, vintage synths, film grain and fluid motion.
What Is an Ident in Film? Why It Still Works
What an ident in film does, how Columbia's Torch Lady became a model for studio branding and why streaming libraries still need a clear start signal.
History of the DreamWorks intro and the moon boy
Trace the history of the DreamWorks intro, from the 1994 SKG founding to Robert Hunt's moon boy and the logo's strange 1997 debut explained.
Have a Disney birthday video that does not feel cringe
Make a Disney birthday video feel magical rather than awkward. I explain why mixed-case titles work, how to use Mickey clips and where free messages fit.
Plex cinema intros: Which is the best pre-feature sequence?
Build a Plex cinema intro that runs before every movie with one short Universal sequence, exact path settings, ordered files and fixes for playback failures.