Meg Shields
Film School Rejects
Saanich, BC, Canada
Contact Meg
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Past articles by Meg:
Why the Locations of 'Andor' Feel So Familiar
Here's a video essay on what makes the "Star Wars" series "Andor" feel so real (using real locations certainly doesn't hurt). → Read More
A Brief, Messy History of Who Wrote 1979's 'Alien'
Here's a video essay on the sticky, acid-blooded mess of who actually wrote the version of 1979's "Alien" we see on-screen. → Read More
Man vs Waterfall: The 'Deliverance' Stunt That Broke Burt Reynolds
Here's the story of the time Burt Reynolds cracked his tailbone while going down a 40-foot waterfall in 'Deliverance.' → Read More
'Ishtar' Deserved Better
Here's a video essay on the merits of Elaine May's infamous "Ishtar," a victim of its time, and one of the most notorious bombs ever made. → Read More
A Mathematical Analysis of the Most 1980s Movie Ever Made
Here's a video essay that uses super scientific methods to determine which movie is the MOST 1980s movie of all time. → Read More
Movies Are Getting Darker, And Digital Is To Blame (Kind of)
Hey! Who turned out the lights? We're watching a video essay that explores why movies are getting visually darker these days. → Read More
How "Decision to Leave" Weaponizes Misdirection
Here's a video essay on Park Chan-wook's romantic thriller "Decision to Leave," and how the film uses misdirection to tell its story. → Read More
The Day New Hollywood Died
Here's a video essay that offers a brief autopsy on the death of the the bombastic cinematic movement known as "New Hollywood." → Read More
In Profile: The Art of the Cinematic Close-Up
Here's a video essay about the craft and decision-making that goes into the cinematic close-up, from composition to lens-choice to framing. → Read More
The Best Video Essays of 2022
Here's a look at the best video essays of 2022 that entertained and educated us about our favorite films, television shows, and techniques. → Read More
The Best Movie Trailers of 2022
From the genuinely memorable to the meme-worthy, here's our breakdown of the best movie trailers that left us wanting more in 2022. → Read More
Small Parts: In Praise of The Quiet Screen Performance
Here's a video essay that appreciates the subtle screen performances that opt to go small with "big" emotions. → Read More
Remembering ‘The Last Unicorn’: Rankin/Bass’ Cult Classic
Here's a video essay about the cult appeal of Rankin/Bass' life-affirming 1982 animated feature 'The Last Unicorn.' → Read More
The Beginner's Guide to Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound Design
Here's a video essay about the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic sound design, from needle drops to radio chatter. → Read More
How Filmmakers Navigate an Actor's Unexpected Death On-Screen
Here's a video essay on how different movies and TV shows cope and move forward in the wake of the unexpected deaths of actors. → Read More
The Casual Film Lover's Guide to Shallow Depth of Field
Here's a video essay on what a shallow depth of field is, how filmmakers achieve it, and why they choose to shoot certain scenes that way. → Read More
From Bava to Bresson: The Films That Inspired 'Taxi Driver'
Here's a video essay about some of the many, many cinematic influences that bled into Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver.' → Read More
Want a Lesson in Hitchcockian Suspense? Look to Mr. Bean.
Here's a video essay on why one scene in 1997's "Bean" is a perfect encapsulation of Alfred Hitchcock's take on cinematic suspense. → Read More
The Story of How Scorsese's First Movie Saw The Light of Day
Here's a video essay about what would ultimately become 'Who's That Knocking On my Door?' the first movie made by Martin Scorsese. → Read More
How They Shot The Melting Effects in 'The Devil's Rain'
Here's a look at how they shot the nearly 10-minute, goop-filled finale of the cult horror movie 'The Devil's Rain.' → Read More