20 Movie Tropes and Cliches to Avoid in Your Next Screenplay

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 20 Movie Tropes and Cliches to Avoid in Your Next Screenplay

What is Mood in Literature & Film — A Guide for Storytellers

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… Continue reading What is Mood in Literature & Film — A Guide for Storytellers

Screenplay Structure Examples — A Guide for Screenwriters

EssentialsOpen menu What is a Scene What is The Three Act Structure What is Story Structure What is a Story Beat What Is a Plot Plot vs Story What is a Non-Linear Plot What is a Plot Device What is Freytag’s Pyramid Screenplay StructureOpen menu Screenplay Structure Examples What is a Story Mountain Joseph Campbell’s… Continue reading Screenplay Structure Examples — A Guide for Screenwriters

Formatting a Screenplay: How to Put Your Story Into Screenplay Format

How to Format a ScreenplayOpen menu Formatting a Screenplay Screenplay Font Margins Scene Headings Sluglines Action / Description Action Breaks Character Cues Dialogue Transitions Chyrons Flashbacks TV Script Format 101 Pre-Lap FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free Alright — you’ve got it. The screenplay idea that will change the world, break… Continue reading Formatting a Screenplay: How to Put Your Story Into Screenplay Format

What is Public Domain and How is it Used? A Guide for Creators

EssentialOpen menu What is Creative Commons What is Fair Use What is Public Domain ResourcesOpen menu Creative Commons License Pros and Cons How Copyright Free Music Works How to Copyright a Script How to Find Award-Worthy Script Ideas from The Public Domain Best Public Domain Movies Does it seem like every story imaginable has already… Continue reading What is Public Domain and How is it Used? A Guide for Creators

What is Onomatopoeia — Definition and Examples in Lit. & Film

Onomatopoeia can make a BANG or THUD in your mind when reading a sentence. And while that sentence is definitely not the best example of the effects of onomatopoeia, we’ll be taking a look at some actual good examples of the literary device in this article. What is onomatopoeia? Let’s dive into how writers use… Continue reading What is Onomatopoeia — Definition and Examples in Lit. & Film

Little Miss Sunshine Script PDF Download & Analysis

By GenreOpen menu Comedy Sci-Fi Action Romantic Animation Thriller Drama Crime TV Scripts Horror Fantasy Western Musical War ResourcesOpen menu Best Screenplays to Read Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Best Horror Movie Scripts to Download StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for… Continue reading Little Miss Sunshine Script PDF Download & Analysis

What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know

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… Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know

Best Screenwriting Fellowships — Nicholl, Sundance, WB, Disney

Screenwriting JobsOpen menu Screenwriting Jobs Writers Assistant Jobs Screenwriting ResourcesOpen menu Screenwriting Internships Screenwriting Classes Online Screenwriting Websites Screenwriting Programs Screenwriting Fellowships Screenwriting Books StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free Studios, producers, executives, agents, and managers are always looking for the next great up and coming screenwriter. One of the best ways they… Continue reading Best Screenwriting Fellowships — Nicholl, Sundance, WB, Disney

What is a Parenthetical in a Script (and When to Use Them)?

Screenplays are meant to tell a cinematic story. This can be difficult, however, without the advantage of visuals. Screenwriters are stuck with using words to communicate highly cinematic scenes. One of the best tools they have to do this is the parenthetical.  Parentheticals allow screenwriters to fit in small, but vital information within a dialogue scene.… Continue reading What is a Parenthetical in a Script (and When to Use Them)?

How to Write a Flashback in a Script — Techniques & Format

How to Format a ScreenplayOpen menu Formatting a Screenplay Screenplay Font Margins Scene Headings Sluglines Action / Description Action Breaks Character Cues Dialogue Transitions Chyrons Flashbacks TV Script Format 101 Pre-Lap FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free Screenwriting books and instructors often warn aspiring writers against writing flashbacks in their… Continue reading How to Write a Flashback in a Script — Techniques & Format

What is a Narrative — Definition, Examples in Literature and Film

Narrative is a term that pops up everywhere, not only in relation to film and literature, but also in news stories, in college curriculums, to describe a style of podcasts, even to specify a form of psychotherapy. But what is a narrative? And why is the term used so often to describe so many seemingly… Continue reading What is a Narrative — Definition, Examples in Literature and Film

The Graduate Ending Scene — Breaking Down an Iconic Finale

Few film endings are as iconic and impactful as the unforgettable resolution to The Graduate. Be sure to watch our video essay below for a full breakdown of The Graduate ending scene, then read on for further analysis. We’ll be digging into the four factors that culminate in the film’s ending being as effective as… Continue reading The Graduate Ending Scene — Breaking Down an Iconic Finale

What is Personification — Definition and Examples for Writers

Have you ever read a story or novel where the words jumped off the page? It could have been due to personification. In fact, that first line you just read was an example of personification. Personification is an incredibly useful literary device that is used in sophisticated literature as well as everyday language. In this… Continue reading What is Personification — Definition and Examples for Writers

Citizen Kane Screenplay PDF Download — Summary & Analysis

By GenreOpen menu Comedy Sci-Fi Action Romantic Animation Thriller Drama Crime TV Scripts Horror Fantasy Western Musical War ResourcesOpen menu Best Screenplays to Read Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Best Horror Movie Scripts to Download StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for… Continue reading Citizen Kane Screenplay PDF Download — Summary & Analysis

The Silence of the Lambs Script PDF — Download and Analysis

By GenreOpen menu Comedy Sci-Fi Action Romantic Animation Thriller Drama Crime TV Scripts Horror Fantasy Western Musical War ResourcesOpen menu Best Screenplays to Read Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Best Horror Movie Scripts to Download StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for… Continue reading The Silence of the Lambs Script PDF — Download and Analysis

Christopher Nolan’s Writing Process Explained & Script PDFs

Christopher Nolan is one of the most revered directors of the 21st century, known for his cerebral blockbusters like Inception and The Dark Knight. Much is made of his striking visual style and expert direction, but his work as a screenwriter is equally important to his career success. While Nolan’s cinematic subjects are far ranging—from sci-fi… Continue reading Christopher Nolan’s Writing Process Explained & Script PDFs