The role of a screenwriter is to tell a story and create a cinematic experience on paper. It is a common debate as to whether or not screenwriters should write camera directions in a screenplay. Whether or not you plan to use them or plan to avoid them, it’s important to understand at least how to… Continue reading How to Write Camera Directions in a Script — Tips & Techniques
Can you tell a good story without a round character? What does it mean to be a round character? There is a good chance most of your favorite movies and shows revolve around the unfolding of these characters. Conversely, stories without any well-developed characters tend to feel unrelatable. They don’t give the audience enough incentive… Continue reading What is a Round Character — Definition, Examples for Writers
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… Continue reading What is Denouement — Definition and Examples of Denouement in Movies
Rear Window is a game of restraint. The rules of the film are clear: a murder mystery told through a window. The protagonist, and the camera, can’t leave the apartment. It’s a game Alfred Hitchcock was more than able to play, as Rear Window is now regarded as one of the greatest films of all… Continue reading Rear Window Script PDF Download: Plot, Themes, and Ending
Writing a script isn’t easy, and getting one approved for filming can be just as tough. However, if your script does get greenlit, that means it’ll be in the hands of producers and filmmakers so that the words on the page can come to life. But this same process can involve rewrites, tweaks, changes, omissions… Continue reading What are Script Revision Colors — A Guide for Filmmakers
Proper screenplay formatting is extremely particular and offers very little wiggle room. There are good reasons behind all of this specificity. A properly formatted script adheres to the current industry standards, meaning all professional screenplays, with very few exceptions, have a standardized appearance and format. In this article, we will explain why following industry-standard formatting… Continue reading Screenplay Margins Explained — A Guide for Screenwriters
The rule of three is one of the most important rules in all of writing – but what is the rule of three? We’re going to explore this fascinating and useful rule by looking at examples in sentences, situations, and stories. This article will serve as a referential guide for you to circle back to… Continue reading What is the Rule of Three — A Literary Device for Writers
What is world-building? And, more importantly, why does it matter? World-building is an integral element of storytelling that often goes overlooked and underappreciated. Good world-building might be felt rather than explicitly noticed, and a lack of it can leave a book, film, or video game feeling shallow. We’ll get started with a world-building definition, then… Continue reading What is World Building — Definition, Examples & Techniques
Can you format a screenplay in Microsoft Word? And if so, how? We will be answering both of these questions as well as outlining the necessary steps to take, and detailing a couple of tricks that will save you time in the long run. Accurate formatting is crucial in getting your screenplay taken seriously by… Continue reading Writing Screenplays in Word — A Formatting Guide for Writers
What is a spec script? What does it mean to “write on spec” and is it something you should do? We’ll be answering all of these questions, breaking down the differences between a film spec and a TV spec, and looking at a couple of examples of successful scripts written on spec and the writers… Continue reading What is a Spec Script — Definition, Examples and Writing Tips
How do you format a screenplay using Microsoft Word? Is it even possible? In this post, we will be answering both of these questions and providing a free template to get you started. We will also take a look at a free alternative to writing scripts in Microsoft word, examining the drawbacks of using a… Continue reading Microsoft Word Screenplay Template — Free Download & Guide
Peter Piper picked a pickled pepper, put it in his tupper-cupboard and ate it late for supper. Believe it or not, that line is emblematic of consonance – but what is consonance? We’re going to answer that question by outlining a consonance definition, and by exploring consonance examples in poetry/literature. By the end, you’ll know… Continue reading What is Consonance — Definition, Examples and Effects
August Wilson was one of the most revered scriptwriters of the 20th century. His magnum opus Fences is widely considered one of the greatest stage plays of all time. In 2016, more than ten years after Wilson’s death, Fences was produced as a feature film, with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis starring in the leading… Continue reading Fences Script PDF Download — Characters & Themes Analysis
How do you format a screenplay in Google Docs? Is it even possible? We will answer both of these questions as well as look at alternatives to Google Docs, add-ons that can improve the writing experience in Google Docs, and common screenplay formatting pitfalls. We will also explore the most useful built-in features the software… Continue reading How to Format a Screenplay in Google Docs — A Writer’s Guide
When Twilight was released in 2008, it dominated pop culture, spawning more spoofs, imitations, and vampire erotica than any one person could keep track of. The film became one entry in a five-part series of movies that only got more expensive and melodramatic with each installment. While Twilight is no Battleship Potemkin, its script provides… Continue reading Twilight Script PDF Download — Characters and Ending Analysis
Dialogue scenes can be the most fun to write as well as the most difficult. Visual performances of dialogue in films can be powerful, emotional, and moving. However, the medium of written text has its limitations. Luckily, screenwriters have parentheticals. Parentheticals are a great way to include specific information that help a reader better understand a… Continue reading Screenplay Parenthetical Examples (And Why They Work)
Brian De Palma’s 1983 remake of Howard Hawks’s 1932 original Scarface is a violent and vitriolic condemnation of power. But although the remake is perhaps most well-known for Al Pacino’s legendary performance as Tony Montana, Oliver Stone’s script contains a lot of personal insight as well. We’re going to tear down the Scarface script by… Continue reading Scarface Script PDF Download — Characters & Ending Analysis
What is a shooting script? How are shooting scripts different from screenplays? We’re going to answer those questions by looking at some real-world examples for shooting scripts. Then, we’ll show you how you can get started on your own shooting script for free. By the end, you’ll be ready to turn a screenplay into an… Continue reading Shooting Script Example — Download Production Script PDFs
Our physical experience of life is chronological. Yet our internal experience of life may not be. We reminisce on the past and anticipate the future. This uniquely human experience is portrayed on the big screen through non-linear storytelling. What is a non-linear plot used for? Non-linear plots allow filmmakers to rearrange time in an order… Continue reading What is a Non-Linear Plot — How to Write Stories Out of Order
Documentaries use scripts that are somewhat different from traditional scripts. Some of the time, they utilize “documentary narration scripts.” But what is a documentary narration script? We’re going to answer that question by looking at some script examples and what makes them work. By the end, you’ll know everything there is to know about narration… Continue reading How to Write Narration in Documentary Films — Tips, Examples
