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).
Abraham Lincoln famously said that “no government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall perish from this Earth.” But did you know that “the people” is a famous example of an epistrophe? So, what is an epistrophe? We’re going to break down epistrophes by looking at epistrophe examples in writing. By… Continue reading What is an Epistrophe — Definition, Examples for Writers
Dialogue, or a conversation between two or more people, is something that dominates just about every work of fiction. So, why is dialogue so hard to write? We’re going to explore the nature of dialogue by breaking down a series of dialogue examples, from literature to games. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll know how a… Continue reading Dialogue Examples — Film, TV, Theatre, Fiction & Video Games
What is Deductive Reasoning What is Abductive Reasoning What is Inductive Reasoning Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning What are Context Clues Inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning represent two polar approaches to critical reasoning. But what is the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning? We’re going to break down inductive vs deductive reasoning by looking at examples… Continue reading Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning — Differences & Usages
Intertextuality is an incredibly important concept for writers to understand – but what is intertextuality? We’re going to break down everything there is to know about intertextuality by looking at examples from film, television, literature, and games. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize intertextuality, and institute it in your own works.Continue reading What… Continue reading What is Intertextuality — Definition and Examples
Basic CharactersOpen menu Types of Characters in a Story Protagonist Deuteragonist Antagonist Hero Anti Hero Tragic Hero Tritagonist Superhero Anti-Villain Villain Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Common Character Types Character Archetypes Types of Villains Femme Fatale Mad Scientist Mary Sue Damsel in Distress CharacterizationOpen menu What is Characterization Characterization Examples in Movies Characterization of Anton… Continue reading What is a Foil Character — Definition, Examples in Lit. & Film
Storyboard EssentialsOpen menu What is a Storyboard Best Storyboard Software What is a Storyboard Artist Websites to Find a Storyboard Artist Storyboard Classes Online What is a Digital Storyboard Introducing Storyboard Builder Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Rules Storyboard Dimensions What is an Animatic What is an Animation Storyboard Storyboard Montage Ultimate Guide to Storyboard Composition… Continue reading Storyboard Classes Online — Lessons, Reviews and Fees
EssentialsOpen menu What is Sound Design What Does a Sound Designer Do Sound Editing vs Sound Mixing What is Voice Over What is a Foley Artist What is Diegetic Sound What is Non-Diegetic Sound What is a Film Score What is Asynchronous Sound What is Music Licensing What is a Film Composer What is a… Continue reading What is Non-Diegetic Sound — Definition and Examples
No genre has influenced the public’s perception of criminals more than Gangster Movies. For more than 80 years, the best gangster movies have fascinated and allured the minds of millions; from Prohibition-era pre-code crime to 21st Century gang life. Our list of the 30 best gangster movies of all time includes films that span the… Continue reading Top 30 Best Gangster Movies of All Time, Ranked (2023)
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Top Mood Board Apps What is a Mood Board How to Make a Mood Board Mood Board Layout Mood Board Template Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Fashion Mood Board Aesthetic Mood Board Writer Mood Board Photography Mood Board Interior Design Mood Board Digital Mood Board Graphic Design Mood… Continue reading How to Make a Web Design Mood Board — Examples & Tips
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Top Mood Board Apps What is a Mood Board How to Make a Mood Board Mood Board Layout Mood Board Template Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Fashion Mood Board Aesthetic Mood Board Writer Mood Board Photography Mood Board Interior Design Mood Board Digital Mood Board Graphic Design Mood… Continue reading How to Use a Mood Board Template — FREE Download
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Top Mood Board Apps What is a Mood Board How to Make a Mood Board Mood Board Layout Mood Board Template Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Fashion Mood Board Aesthetic Mood Board Writer Mood Board Photography Mood Board Interior Design Mood Board Digital Mood Board Graphic Design Mood… Continue reading Mood Board Layout Explained — Rules, Sizes & Dimensions
Metatextuality plays an important role in the relationship between a text and its audience. But what is metatextuality? And why does it play an important role in the relationship between a text and its audience? We’re going to answer those questions by defining metatextuality, as well as by examining metatextual examples in films/games. By the… Continue reading What is Metatextuality — Definition, Examples & Types Explained
Mood Board EssentialsOpen menu Top Mood Board Apps What is a Mood Board How to Make a Mood Board Mood Board Layout Mood Board Template Mood Board Examples How To Mood BoardOpen menu Fashion Mood Board Aesthetic Mood Board Writer Mood Board Photography Mood Board Interior Design Mood Board Digital Mood Board Graphic Design Mood… Continue reading How to Make a Mood Board Without Photoshop
ProcessOpen menu How to Make a Short Film How to Write a Short Without Dialogue Short Film Schedule Tips Write a Short That Gets Noticed Making a Short Film How to Storyboard a Short Film Phases of Short Film Pre-Production Ari Aster Short Films How Whiplash Went From a Short to a Feature ResourcesOpen menu… Continue reading How to Storyboard a Short Film — Examples and Templates
Trope EssentialsOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Character Tropes Stock Character Mary Sue Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mad Scientist Femme Fatale Damsel in Distress Plot TropesOpen menu Plot Device Deus ex Machina Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring Deal with the Devil Narrative… Continue reading What is a Trope — Definition and Examples in Movies
The ending of The Godfather Part II is one of the best movie endings of all time. Today, we’re going to break down everything that makes The Godfather Part II ending great – from plot and characters to music and production design. By the end, you’ll know how Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, and all… Continue reading The Godfather 2 Ending Explained (& Why It’s One of the Best)
What is Deductive Reasoning What is Abductive Reasoning What is Inductive Reasoning Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning What are Context Clues What is abductive reasoning? We know that “abduction” means “ to take away,” so is abduction what we take away through reason? Well, it is and it isn’t. Abductive reasoning is the least referenced type… Continue reading What is Abductive Reasoning — Problem Solving for Writers
Trope EssentialsOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Character Tropes Stock Character Mary Sue Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mad Scientist Femme Fatale Damsel in Distress Plot TropesOpen menu Plot Device Deus ex Machina Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring Deal with the Devil Narrative… Continue reading What is a Plot Twist — Definition, Examples and Types Explained
Basic CharactersOpen menu Types of Characters in a Story Protagonist Deuteragonist Antagonist Hero Anti Hero Tragic Hero Tritagonist Superhero Anti-Villain Villain Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Common Character Types Character Archetypes Types of Villains Femme Fatale Mad Scientist Mary Sue Damsel in Distress CharacterizationOpen menu What is Characterization Characterization Examples in Movies Characterization of Anton… Continue reading What is an Anti Hero — Definition, Examples in Film & Literature
Index & TimelineOpen menu Art Styles Explained Art History Timeline Renaissance (1400-1600)Open menu Renaissance Gothic Art Baroque (1600-1750)Open menu Rococo Baroque Classical (1750-1827)Open menu Classicism Neoclassicism Ukiyo-e Naturalism vs Realism Romantic (1827-1900)Open menu Romanticism Art Nouveau Kinetic Art Post Impressionism Primitivism Modern (1900-1970)Open menu Abstract Expressionism Avant Garde Bauhaus Conceptual Art Constructivism Art Cubism Dadaism… Continue reading Naturalism vs Realism in the Arts — Two Styles, Similar Goals
