Chris Heckmann is a Professor of Media & Communication at Roger Williams University and graduate of UCLA’s Cinema & Media Studies Master of Arts program. When he’s not writing or teaching, he’s probably playing video games (or thinking about the next great Boston sports trade).
Pathos is a mode of persuasion that appeals to emotion. Pathos has been used for thousands of years, and it is still used today to communicate “feeling.” We’re going to look at some pathos examples, but first, let’s look at what makes it different from the other rhetorical appeals: logos and ethos.Continue reading Pathos Examples in Literature, Speeches, Music & More
Ethos is a mode of persuasion that appeals to credibility. Ethos has been used for thousands of years, and it is still used today to communicate authority. We’re going to look at some ethos examples, but first, let’s look at what makes it different from the other rhetorical appeals: logos and pathos.Continue reading Ethos Examples in Literature, Ads, Speeches & More
There’s no doubt about it: Interstellar was one of the most mentally-stimulating blockbusters of the 2010s. As such, a lot of people were confused about the Interstellar plot, high-concept science, and bold ending. It’s time for Interstellar explained – a deep-dive in which we answer some of the biggest questions audiences asked about the film. By the end, you’ll know the plot and meaning like the back of your hand; you might even say we’ll have an “interstellar explanation” for the fourth dimension.Continue reading Interstellar Explained — Plot, Meaning & the Ending Explained
What are the best Christmas movies of all time? This question lies at the heart of a debate that has pervaded family dinners and critic circles alike for decades. To suggest one Christmas movie is better than any other is certainly subjective, but we’re going to try to keep it as objective as we can by ranking the films based on: acting, directing, story and Christmas spirit. So without further ado, get your feet in the sled, grab the reins and take off into the night sky with us as we rank the best Christmas movies of all time!Continue reading…
What is mood in literature and film? We often use the term “mood” in a generalized sense to describe the overall feel of situations – but is that a misapplication? We’re going to break down everything there is to know about mood; including how mood is different from tone and how mood is applied in film and literature. By the end, you’ll understand what mood is and how to apply it in your own works.Continue reading What is Mood in Literature & Film — A Guide for Storytellers
What is an archetype? Archetypes play an integral role in how people understand each other – but what are they? We’re going to answer that question as we define archetype, then we’ll look at some archetype examples from classic literature and film. By the end, you’ll know why archetypes are so important for storytellers – and why they might explain something innate about the human condition.Continue reading What is an Archetype — Definition & Examples in Storytelling
What is Surrealism in film? To understand the best Surrealist films, we need to know the basics of the term. You can probably imagine what "realism" might be — strict adherence to reality. Surrealism takes the "rules" and expectations of realism and turns them on their head; logic and reason need not apply. Filmmakers have embraced this freedom and creative expression for almost a century and produced some of the most fascinating work along the way. Let's define Surrealism and take a closer look at some of the best Surrealist films.Continue reading What is Surrealism? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers
Adages, idioms, axioms, aphorisms: what makes each unique? We’re going to break down what makes aphorisms unique by asking the question “what is an aphorism?” and by exploring aphorism examples. By the end, you’ll know what aphorisms are and how to utilize them in everyday writing and conversation. Continue reading What is an Aphorism — Definition, Examples and Writing Tips
What is theme? In the simplest terms, a theme is the subject of a story. But that definition actually does more harm than good in fully understanding the theme of a story. In this article, we’re going to look at some common misconceptions by breaking down how to use theme in literature and screenwriting. But before we jump into some theme examples, let’s start with a theme definition.Continue reading What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples
Denouement is one of the most important aspects of a script, yet it can easily be confused with other story beats like climaxes or epilogues. So what is denouement? In this article, we’re going to define denouement in a clear and simple way, then look at some key examples that show us how masterclass filmmakers use it to expert effect. We’ll cover the various types of denouement (explicit vs. implicit) with some stellar examples. But before all that, let’s start with a quick denouement definition so we can begin to understand the foundation of this highly important storytelling element.Continue reading…
