Movies are a visual medium first and foremost, which means making on-screen imagery as effective as possible. And if you’re making a narrative feature, you will more than likely be needing dialogue. Movies didn’t start with traditional dialogue tracks, but these days, virtually every movie in existence has it. But what is dialogue, why does it matter, what makes good vs. bad dialogue, and how can you make the most of it?Continue reading What is Dialogue — A Writer’s Guide to Spoken Words
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
If you gathered a small crowd together, then it might be old news to some people to answer, “What is an oxymoron?” The concept is an open secret in the world of literature and film. Of course, you might hear that question with your only response being deafening silence. But once you understand oxymorons inside and out, you can incorporate them into your writing to create humorous, more sophisticated dialogue. Who knows? Oxymorons make awfully good movie titles as well.Continue reading What is an Oxymoron: Definition & Examples Writers Should Use
What is a red herring? We’re not talking about the smoked fish, we’re talking about the literary device designed to mislead and deceive the audience. We will explain the term's origins, look at how this technique evolved into storytelling, explore the red herring fallacy, and we will even take a look at some red herring examples in movies. While this device is commonly associated with murder-mysteries, its uses are endless. Let's investigate.Continue reading What is a Red Herring — Definition and Examples in Storytelling
Plato’s "Allegory of the Cave" is one of the most well-known philosophical concepts in history. As such, it only makes sense that numerous filmmakers would try to incorporate this philosophy into their movies. But what exactly is it? And why does it work so well in the context of filmmaking? We’ll look at this concept as well as several films that have incorporated it excellently. It’s time to find the sun.Continue reading Plato’s Allegory of the Cave — Summary & Meaning Explained
What is Chekhov’s gun? What are setups and payoffs? The concepts are interconnected, and all three should be included in any and all screenwriting endeavors. We will provide working definitions, take a look at illustrative examples used in great films, and discuss how to best incorporate the practice into your own writing. Before we jump into the benefits of setups and payoffs, let’s start by defining Chekhov’s gun.Continue reading Chekhov’s Gun — How To Setup and Payoff in Screenwriting
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
Satire is a term that is often misunderstood and for good reason. With the advent of the internet, social media, and memes, it has become the main vehicle for writers and creatives to deliver their social and political commentary. But what is satire and what exactly defines something as satirical? To understand this, we’ll dive into the definition of satire, the three types of satire that exist, and how they are used in literature, films, and TV. Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know
One job in Hollywood without a clear career path is that of the script doctor. More behind-the-scenes than most well-paid positions in Hollywood, the script doctor has an enormous influence on whether a film moves forward into production.Short-term and often uncredited, no one ever says getting a script doctoring gig is easy. In fact, no one says anything about getting the gig. But, today we’re going to answer "what is script doctor," and show how you can make this plum gig a part of your writing career long-term.Continue reading What is a Script Doctor and How to Become One
Eating, drinking, sleeping, and sex are elements of human behavior we all share. The difference with sex is that it has been deemed taboo for centuries. That moral standard has been loosening for decades now, and sex has become a more significant part of mainstream entertainment.But just because we CAN show sex in movies doesn't mean we SHOULD. And if we do, it needs to be handled tastefully. When is it appropriate to include a sex scene in your movie? How can you make sure the scene adds value to the story without becoming gratuitous? If you’re wondering how to…
