I think we all can agree, screenwriting contests can be useful tools for both new writers and those with experience under their belts. They’re excellent ways to get noticed, but some of the contests out there can’t take you as far as some others. So what are the best screenwriting contests to enter? Continue reading 13 Best Screenwriting Contests You Need to Enter Now
Have you ever watched a movie and wondered why you loved the main character so much? Or, perhaps you found the lead to be unlikeable and dozed off halfway through? Today, we will be going over several protagonist examples, what makes them great and why the strength of the protagonist will make or break a story. Continue reading Protagonist Examples — Do’s and Don’ts for Screenwriters
Six years after the series finale of The Office, it placed #1 among the most watched TV shows on Netflix. And while there are many reasons for this, the character of Michael Scott has undoubtedly made the show timeless. Whether he is conducting a hilariously pointless meeting, closing a deal at Chili’s, or trying to save the branch from closing, Michael Scott is one of the most original characters in TV.While the hilarity of Michael Gary Scott is completely obvious in retrospect, the writers of The Office had a hard time creating this inimitable character. In fact, The Office was…
We all know that conflict is needed to keep viewers engaged, to create an emotional response, and to ultimately, push the story forward. Without conflict in a story, the film, show, or novel, may seem a bit, well, boring. It’s also true that conflict can be defined by all of the “types” that exist — internal, external, people vs people, people vs society, etc. And while all of those things are helpful, it’s not a fully developed definition. This article takes a macro perspective, answering what is conflict in a story by highlighting why we need it in the first…
I am, you are, she is, they will be — these are all things we say on a near-daily basis, and they’re all examples of different points of view. But what is point of view within storytelling and how can writers use it strategically? We’re going to explain everything you need to know about point of view in literature, with cinema and video game examples as well. But first let’s review the basics.Continue reading What is Point of View? Definition and Examples in Lit and Film
Back in the day, any time a revision was made to a script, a new copy would be printed on different colored paper. Luckily, StudioBinder takes the guesswork out of this and assigns a color to any new document revisions automatically. But it doesn’t stop there. We'll walk you through why script versions are created in the first place and how to keep those versions organized. Continue reading What are Script Versions and How to Keep Them Organized
In 1990, Goodfellas was released worldwide and instantly became a mobster classic. Martin Scorsese served as the director of the film and also co-wrote the script with Nicholas Pileggi.Goodfellas is an adapted screenplay from Pileggi’s novel, Wiseguys, which is based on the true story of Henry Hill and his mob associates. Since the story was based on real-life subjects, the script had to be written through a historical lens, with specific verbiage. Through extraordinary talent and well-developed research, Scorsese was able to deliver an excellent film, one that has become an icon of the gangster genre.In this article, we’re going…
Satire is one of the most useful tools writers can use to comment on the follies of humanity and the evils that exist in the world. We’re going to look at some satire examples in literature and movies to gain a better understanding of the term. By seeing how satire is used in a variety of mediums, we’ll be better prepared to apply it in our own projects. But first, let’s start by jumping through a portal to the past to see where satire began.Continue reading Satire Examples in Literature and Movies Explained
What is a protagonist? What makes a story truly memorable? Often, it's the protagonist—the driving force who takes us on an unforgettable journey. Many refer to it as the leading character in a story. But is the protagonist something more? Or something less? To understand the definition fully, we need to look at how different types of protagonists are used in screenwriting. This will help us understand, what is a protagonist, and which type works best for our scripts.Continue reading What is a Protagonist — Definition & Examples for Screenwriters
If you have a great concept for a film, odds are you want to tell it immediately. That's good, but even better is writing with a plan — and that means a great film treatment. Continue reading How to Write a Film Treatment (FREE Film Treatment Template)
