Arguably, the most critical component to master when writing a screenplay is the scene description. Scene descriptions are what communicate cinematic action through text. How you write your scene descriptions will determine how a reader visualizes, hears, and paces through the story you are telling. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to write a scene description efficiently and effectively to clearly communicate your cinematic story. Continue reading How to Write a Scene Description — Script Elements Explained
Narrative films are made up of scenes. It should come as no surprise that a screenwriter needs to know how to write a scene. Every great scene carries emotional weight, character change, and story propulsion. If you can’t write a good scene, you can’t write a good movie. So, what are some of the fundamental elements of a great scene? How can you incorporate them into your script? Time to break down how to write a scene, and look at some scene examples.Continue reading How to Write a Scene — Elements of a Great Scene Explained
What is a trope? How is it different from an idiom or a cliche? In this article, we’re going to break down and define tropes, then show key trope examples from film. By the end, you’ll know how to both recognize and effectively use tropes in your own stories.Continue reading What is a Trope? Definition and Examples
The world would be a lot more boring without figurative language. Look at your favorite novel, essay, monologue, script– you’re guaranteed to find at least a few figurative language examples. But what is figurative language? And what are its different types? We’re going to answer those questions by outlining a figurative language definition alongside a myriad of examples. Now, let’s define figurative language, see what forms it can take, and how it can be used! Continue reading 7 Types of Figurative Language (With Examples)
Literary jargon like plot and story are often used excessively to describe the same thing. But in this post we’re going to define plot in relation to story, so you can understand the difference. But also, understand how they’re connected. So what is plot in a story?Continue reading What is the Plot of a Story? Plotting Out the Basics with a Quick Definition
Which are the best superhero movies of all time? Studios pour buckets of money into these films and the “arms race” for better stunts and production value has now been raging for decades.We’re going to tell you which are the 15 best superhero movies of all time based purely on the story, the filmmaking, and aesthetic. If you disagree with our list, make your case in the comments below.Continue reading 16 Best Superhero Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers
A tragic hero is a longstanding character type that originated from some of the earliest documented story-telling. Stemming from early stageplays, this type of hero has made its mark as a literary tool not just on stage but in TV and film. But what is a tragic hero compared to any other protagonist? How does it fit into the overall narrative of a literary work? Continue reading to uncover how the tragic hero is a pillar of good stories and how its legacy still provides emotional catharsis to this very day. Continue reading What is a Tragic Hero — Definition, Examples…
If you want to write a script, and finish it, story outlines are helpful. Why? Because once you have waded even knee-deep into the writing, it's easy to lose sight of things. Even worse? Predators named fear and self-doubt will be stalking you.Continue reading How to Write a Story Outline that Works [FREE Script Outline Template]
We all know every story starts at the beginning, right? But what’s the thing that truly starts every story? The answer is the inciting incident. It’s a critical element to all narratives. This is true if you're writing a half-hour sitcom, an epic action movie, or a small rom-com set in your apartment.Continue reading 15 Best Inciting Incident Examples for Screenwriters and Directors
Browse Film Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be your best friend. We’ve included as many film terms as humanly possible all on one page, so let’s get into it.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
