What is a plot twist? It’s a term we’ve all heard before – but we rarely ever hear it defined. So today, we’re going to define plot twists by looking at some good twist examples in literature and film. By the end, you’ll know how to write a plot twist like the greats, including Christopher Nolan and M. Night Shyamalan. Continue reading What is a Plot Twist — Definition, Examples and Types Explained
Spider-Man was a colossal moment in superhero cinema, reorienting the genre toward the massive blockbuster machine that it is today. Spider-Man 2, stunningly, was equally important. While its first entry crystalized the superhero origin story, Spider-Man 2 perfected the superhero sequel. Spider-Man 2’s success is shocking when one looks at the path its screenplay took to get to a final draft. Director Sam Raimi cherry-picked three distinct screenplays from four different screenwriters to Frankenstein together a narrative he was happy with. We’ve got our hands on Michael Chabon’s draft, and in this analysis, we’ll look at why Raimi took what…
Noah Baumbach already had a respected and beloved career before he made Marriage Story. However, this film about divorce, love, and acceptance was a major commercial breakthrough for the writer-director. On top of being a Netflix film starring two big actors (Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver), the film was a critical hit. We’ll be breaking down the script to see how Baumbach’s characters, dialogue, and themes come together to create one of the best movies of the 2010s.Continue reading Marriage Story Script PDF Download — Plot, Dialogue, & Themes
What is Save the Cat? If you are interested in screenwriting or currently learning the trade, then there is a good chance that you have heard the phrase “save the cat” thrown around in one context or another. Explaining Save the Cat requires some added context as the term is both a verb and a noun. In other words, “save the cat” is both a book on screenwriting and a storytelling mechanism. Let’s get started with an overview of the book, then we’ll dive into the book’s titular piece of advice and take a look at everything else the book…
Sentences are at the core of any language. We all speak them, but we might not know exactly how to label them. One of the most complex (if you will) sentence structures is the compound-complex sentence. Understanding what this type of sentence structure looks like will give you a firmer command of your writing. But first things first, what is compound-complex sentence structure? Continue reading What is a Compound-Complex Sentence Structure — Examples
Screenwriting Software for ProductionsThe Write StuffWrite, share, and collaborate on industry-formatted screenplays, and then begin pre-production. Explore WriteExplore all the features in the Write solution ScreenwritingIndustry-formatted scripts AV ScriptsTwo-column scripting DocsShared production notes Story OutlineMap out your plot Browse all solutions ➜ Path to ProductionFrom script through pre-productionStudioBinder’s screenwriting software is designed for today’s writers. Write and sync your screenplay with our suite of pre-production modules that will guide you all the way to production — including storyboards, sides, schedules, and call sheets.Screenplay Format SoftwareWrite in industry formatStudioBinder's screenwriting software auto-formats margins, fonts, and screenplay elements to industry standards. Predictive…
Boxes of chocolates. Jenny. “Run, Forrest, run.” There aren’t many films more iconic than Forrest Gump. It was the second highest grossing film of 1994 (bested only by another instant-classic, The Lion King), won six Academy Awards, and has become a family-movie-night staple. In recent years, the film has undergone a critical reappraisal, but it nonetheless continues to loom large in our cultural lexicon. What is it about the film’s screenplay that engendered such massive and enduring success? And what are its shortcomings that have become more glaring as time goes on?Continue reading Forrest Gump Script PDF Download — Plot, Quotes…
Anagnorisis is a literary device that has been used for centuries to create dramatic turning points in stories. In this article, we will explore the origins of anagnorisis, how it works as a storytelling technique, and some examples of its use in popular works of fiction. Whether you are an aspiring writer or just curious about the art of storytelling, understanding the anagnorisis definition and function can help you appreciate how great stories are crafted and leave a lasting impact on your readers or viewers. Because of the function of anagnorisis, there are major spoilers ahead in this article. Continue…
How do writers make characters into people we can empathize with and understand? One way is through the use of characterization. But what is characterization? We’re going to answer that question by looking at an example from Kill Bill, and by listening to the perspective of some of the world’s foremost writers. But before we get into the examples, let’s review what makes direct characterization different from indirect characterization. Continue reading What is Characterization — A Guide to Character Building
Whether in a screenplay, poem, or short story, the voice of the writer often translates to the voice of your story. Depending on the situation, passive voice may suit a writer better than active voice, or perhaps the other way around. But how can you tell when to use one over the other? Keep reading for tips on how to spot the difference between active voice and passive voice, and suggestions for how to use them. Continue reading Active vs. Passive Voice — Differences and Usages Explained
