Scriptwriting

Back to the Future Script PDF Download: Quotes & Character Arcs Explained

Did you know that the Back to the Future script was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 1986 Academy Awards? Back to the Future may be most famous for its incredible production design and visual effects, but the script is excellent as well. We’re going to break down the Back to the Future screenplay… Continue reading Back to the Future Script PDF Download: Quotes & Character Arcs Explained

Chris Heckmann

What is The Rashomon Effect — Definition, Examples in Film

There are a few iconic films that have transcended cinema and impacted culture at large. Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon is one of those iconic films. Kurosawa’s exploration of truth and its expression in the film led to a term that would be used both in and outside of cinema — the Rashomon Effect. The Rashomon Effect is… Continue reading What is The Rashomon Effect — Definition, Examples in Film

Kyle DeGuzman

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Script: Quotes & Characters

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is one of the best Christmas movies of all-time. It may be a bit raunchier than most of its contemporaries, but at its core, the film is about the power of family – and it boasts a serious wholesome message. We’re going to break down the Christmas Vacation movie script by… Continue reading National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Script: Quotes & Characters

Chris Heckmann

What is Peripeteia? A Deep Dive Into a Surprising Plot Device

Peripeteia. Is it a synonym for ‘onomatopoeia’?  A fancy potato? A lyric from Mary Poppin’s “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Excellent guesses, but no. Peripeteia isn’t written sound effects, a special tuber or delightful nonsense from the Poppinverse. So, what is peripeteia? Despite how intimidating it may appear on paper, the peripeteia definition is a simple, but crucial, story… Continue reading What is Peripeteia? A Deep Dive Into a Surprising Plot Device

Peggy Sukhia

What is Connotation? Definition & Examples in Literature & Film

What is connotation? We often hear about how certain things have good or bad connotations, but how do we know? We’re going to answer that question by looking at some connotation examples in literature and film. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize and apply all sorts of connotative language in writing and everyday… Continue reading What is Connotation? Definition & Examples in Literature & Film

Chris Heckmann

A Christmas Story Script PDF Download: Quotes & Characters

Every year, A Christmas Story plays on December 25th for 24 hours straight. Why? Tradition only goes so far. A timeless, high-quality story is what really makes a movie stand out. In this article we will analyze A Christmas Story script so we can better understand why this particular film has lasted for so many years.… Continue reading A Christmas Story Script PDF Download: Quotes & Characters

Jonathan Scott

How to Become a Paid Screenwriter in 2021: A Step-by-Step Guide

You want to learn how to become a screenwriter, but every screenwriting article you find is redundant or confusing. We’ve put together a complete step-by-step guide to screenwriting that teaches you how to become a screenwriter, how to find entertainment writer jobs in LA (and elsewhere), and how to sell your screenplay. We also provide videos and… Continue reading How to Become a Paid Screenwriter in 2021: A Step-by-Step Guide

SC Lannom

What is a Script Doctor? How to Become a Script Consultant in 2021

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,… Continue reading What is a Script Doctor? How to Become a Script Consultant in 2021

Herman Wilkins

Ultimate Guide to Movie Genres — 90+ Genre Examples for Film & TV

You’re looking for a movie and TV genre list, maybe for inspiration, but every list you find has categories that are either too broad or so hyper-specific that it becomes overwhelming. We’ve created the perfect movie and TV genre list that will explain the various categories of film and television with their specific subgenres, and we’ll… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Movie Genres — 90+ Genre Examples for Film & TV

SC Lannom

What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples

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, with… Continue reading What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples

Chris Heckmann

All Edgar Wright Movies Ranked — TV, Shorts & Videos Too!

There are many things that define movies directed by Edgar Wright. Brilliant needle drops. Laugh-out-loud moments by the barrelful. And characters subtly telling you at the beginning what’s going to happen throughout the movie. There’s really no such thing as a bad Edgar Wright movie, so consider this a ranking from great to greatest. By… Continue reading All Edgar Wright Movies Ranked — TV, Shorts & Videos Too!

Mike Bedard

What is a Film Treatment? Examples From E.T. and The Shining

Whenever you read a full-length screenplay, it is important to understand all of the steps that led to the final draft of that script. Stories are often changed and workshopped long before they are written into a screenplay. The pre-writing phase of a screenplay is essential to many writers and a fundamental device used is… Continue reading What is a Film Treatment? Examples From E.T. and The Shining

Kyle DeGuzman

Betty Draper: How They Wrote Mad Men’s Most Tragic Character

Mad Men is one of television’s best period pieces. It not only uses the 1960s as a backdrop and setting for the show, it imbues its dialogue, story, and characters with the details of the times. Every character reflects the 1960s in one way or another. In this article, we’ll analyze how Betty Draper’s tragic… Continue reading Betty Draper: How They Wrote Mad Men’s Most Tragic Character

Kyle DeGuzman

Midsommar Explained: Symbolism, Themes, and Easter Eggs

Midsommar is Ari Aster’s haunting folk horror film that stunned audiences in 2019. The movie follows a group of college students who travel to a pagan festival in Sweden and get caught up in a terrifying ordeal. If you’ve seen the film, then you know that description doesn’t really do the movie justice, and there’s… Continue reading Midsommar Explained: Symbolism, Themes, and Easter Eggs

Mike Bedard

Neon Noir — ‘Collateral’ Movie Breakdown & Appreciation

Few filmmakers are able to imbue simple, grounded genre stories with as much dramatic heft and visual style as Michael Mann. One of the “neon-noir” innovator’s greatest cinematic achievements is his action-thriller Collateral (2004). If Heat was Michael Mann’s masterwork of the ‘90s, then the Collateral movie was his masterwork of the ‘00s and, arguably,… Continue reading Neon Noir — ‘Collateral’ Movie Breakdown & Appreciation

Sam Kench

Andy Bernard: The Office’s Most Unlikely Likable Character

The Office has found its way into audiences’ hearts well after its series finale. The show has stood the test of time thanks to its dry humor, clever writing, and likable characters. Well, some likable characters. In the Season 3 of The Office, one character became more annoying and disagreeable than any other, yet somehow… Continue reading Andy Bernard: The Office’s Most Unlikely Likable Character

Kyle DeGuzman

Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained [PDF Downloads]

Believe it or not, there was a time in Hollywood when all studios wanted was a spec script. The next big thing. More Shane Black movies. Before Hollywood became the land of superheroes, reboots, and remakes, it was the land of original IP. Welcome to the ‘80s and ‘90s, when writers would write, directors would… Continue reading Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained [PDF Downloads]

Theo Friedman

What is Queer Theory? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

Queer theory is a complex, multi-faceted subject that’s difficult to cover in a single post. So we’re going to try to break it down into more digestible pieces. We’ll give you a basic overview of Queer Theory, but mainly we’ll provide some examples from films and TV shows that have been groundbreaking in terms of… Continue reading What is Queer Theory? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

Kim Leonard

Batman Begins Script PDF Download: Quotes, Characters & Plot

Christopher Nolan has become one of the biggest filmmakers on the planet, and his first time with a licensed property helped him get there. Co-written with David S. Goyer, Batman Begins was a blast of fresh air, getting major critical appraisal, bringing in a new era for both the Dark Knight and superhero films. That’s… Continue reading Batman Begins Script PDF Download: Quotes, Characters & Plot

Rafael Abreu