Heroes are some of the most popular protagonists in storytelling – and there are a lot of types of heroes to use; a byronic hero being one such example. But what is a byronic hero? We’re going to outline a byronic hero definition then break down a variety of byronic hero examples in literature and film. By the end, you’ll know what a byronic hero is and how to use it in writing. Continue reading What is a Byronic Hero — Definition, Examples & Traits
Pastiche is a term thrown around a lot in filmmaking, but what exactly qualifies as pastiche? Pastiche can be both a boon and a pitfall to your creative process, so it’s important to know what it is, what it isn’t, and how to use it effectively in your own work. In this post, we’re going to explain what pastiche is and how it differs from other storytelling devices it’s often confused with. We’ll also take a look at how prolific filmmakers utilize pastiche in their work, and how when done right, pastiche can help define their personal style and voice.…
Diegesis is a word that’s thrown around a lot in film studies – but what is diegesis in film? We’re going to define diegesis by examining its long history; with reference to Aristotle and Ancient Greece. We’re also going to explore some diegesis examples in literature, film, television, and games to see how writers build worlds for their stories. Continue reading What is Diegesis & Why Storytellers Should Know It
Great writers find ways to explore the internal states of a character without explicitly labeling them. Through their world, dialogue, and imagery, writers can invite readers to lean in and interpret their words, putting pieces of the story and character together. When it comes to the internal state of characters, pathetic fallacy can have a tremendous impact on how we perceive the state of a character in juxtaposition with the world around them. Continue reading What is a Pathetic Fallacy — Definition & Examples Explained
Cinematography techniques are the visual methods filmmakers use to shape how a story looks and feels on screen.The cinema techniques control framing, lighting, movement, composition, and lens choice.This deep guide covers 30 cinematography techniques used by professional filmmakers and video creators, with practical explanations and examples that you can apply on set.Continue reading Best Cinematography Techniques and Tips You Didn’t Learn in Film School
Conflict is at the heart of drama. It is what forces a hero to grow or change, making a story memorable. Few character types are better at creating conflict for a story's protagonist than the archenemy. Some of the most iconic character dynamics in cinema are between a hero and their archenemy — Batman and The Joker, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, and Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. The best heroes often have an equally formidable foe in their archenemy. Continue reading What is an Archenemy — Definition, Functions & Examples
Cinematography techniques are the visual methods filmmakers use to tell a story through images.They include camera placement, shot composition, shot size, focus, lighting, camera movement, and on-set workflow choices that shape how a film looks and feels.If that sounds intimidating, fear not, because today in our beginner’s guide to cinematography techniques, we’re going to look at a bunch of different examples, so that you can see what they look like in action. By the end, you’ll know what the major cinematic shots are, and how to capture them. Let’s explore the world of cinematography!Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Cinematography…
Ethos, pathos and logos are modes of persuasion that form the rhetorical triangle. A compelling argument, sales pitch, speech, or commercial ideally uses elements of all three strategies. We'll show you how to employ each technique and present some examples along the way.Continue reading Ethos, Pathos & Logos — Definitions and Examples
Doctor Evil! I didn’t spend six years in an evil medical school to be called Mister, thank you very much.” These hilarious words were said by Dr. Evil, the ridiculously arch and wildly funny villain of the Austin Powers franchise. Dr. Evil embodies all the classic negative character traits of a villain: He’s selfish, maniacal, and hell-bent on world domination. “Bad” characters in your story have negative character traits, just like Dr. Evil - although maybe not so obvious! What are negative character traits exactly, and what are some examples of bad character traits? Read on for a negative character…
Human beings in the real world are multi-faceted, each with unique traits, strengths, desires, and flaws. Honest, compelling characters in storytelling, therefore, must also be complex beings. One of the unique tools writers have in making characters more complex and more interesting is character flaws. Continue reading The Ultimate Character Flaws List — A Writer’s Guide
