What is a Memoir — Definition, Examples in Literature & Film

Most movies tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Many of those narrative features tell the story of a single individual that can span a certain amount of time, ranging from a few days to a few decades. Some of those focused narrative movies are also memoirs, which can include original and adapted screenplays. But what is a memoir and how can you identify one?Continue reading What is a Memoir — Definition, Examples in Literature & Film

How Internal Conflict and External Conflict Can Energize Your Story

The best movies have stories that entertain us, connect with us, and keep us glued to the screen. That kind of compelling drama happens on multiple levels, through internal and external conflict. How you implement these tools will determine how effective your story is.Continue reading How Internal Conflict and External Conflict Can Energize Your Story

Storytelling Guide: Dan Harmon’s Story Circle Method Explained

T he act of storytelling has always been with us. Anthropologist Joseph Campbell took stories from around the world and found they all shared the same basic structure. Campbell's Hero's Journey laid out each of the fundamental steps in this story structure. A few decades later, Dan Harmon took this same idea and created the Story Circle. In Dan Harmon's Story Circle, there are 8 essential steps that can guide almost any story from Fade In to Fade Out. Let's walk through each step with examples so you can apply this foolproof structure to your next great idea.Continue reading Storytelling Guide:…

What is Pre-Lap in a Screenplay — Function & Format

If you’re a screenwriter or a filmmaker, you may have heard the term “pre-lap” before. But what is pre-lap in screenplay format, and how can you use it effectively in your scripts? Let’s dive into the definition, when to use them, and how to format them properly in your screenplays.Continue reading What is Pre-Lap in a Screenplay — Function & Format

TV Script Format 101 — Examples of How to Format a TV Script

  TV script format is perhaps the most difficult type of script format to master. That’s because it involves tons of intricacies that screenplays and stage plays don’t. Never fear though, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about TV script format, from 30-minute sitcoms to hour-plus dramas. We’ll look at teleplay examples from Seinfeld, Breaking Bad, and more to see how professional script writers use the format. By the end, you’ll be ready to get started on your very own TV script. Continue reading TV Script Format 101 — Examples of How to Format a TV…

Best Free TV Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)

Welcome to StudioBinder's screenplay library, your ultimate resource for the most captivating and immersive free TV scripts. Step into the world of television storytelling as we present a curated selection of the finest scripts ever written for the small screen. From gripping dramas to hilarious comedies and captivating thrillers, this treasure trove of TV scripts is a valuable tool for aspiring writers and television enthusiasts. Get ready to be captivated by the power of television storytelling. Enjoy!Continue reading Best Free TV Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)

How to Write Camera Directions in a Script — Tips & Techniques

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 write camera directions in a script properly. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to write camera directions in a script as well as why to use them minimally.Continue reading How to Write Camera Directions in a Script — Tips & Techniques

What Does CONT’D Mean in a Screenplay & How to Use It

MORE and CONT’D are dialogue transitions that are used to mark the continuation of characters speaking in a screenplay. We’re going to show you how to use MORE and CONT’D with screenplay examples – and then we’ll explain when you should use them in your own scripts.Continue reading What Does CONT’D Mean in a Screenplay & How to Use It

Screenplay Structure Examples — A Guide for Screenwriters

Whether you searched them out yourself, or whether someone recommended you “work on structure,” all writers have come across a screenplay structure in their day. Some swear by it, others liken it to creative cancer. The truth is, whether you like them or not, there is value in understanding what the formulas are and how they are used. Today, we’ll learn the screenplay structures you need to know, how they work, and run a few scripts through them.Continue reading Screenplay Structure Examples — A Guide for Screenwriters