Since the mid-’80s, few films have entered the pop cultural landscape and stayed there like Ghostbusters. A strong comedic cast, talented director, and a memorable theme song catapulted the movie to the history books. And to paraphrase Peter Venkman, the franchise rights alone made them rich beyond their wildest dreams. But it all had to come from somewhere, which is why we will be looking at the Ghostbusters script. We’ll be going over who wrote Ghostbusters and see how the script, while a little different from the final film, provided the basis for memorable quotes, characters, and themes.Continue reading Ghostbusters…
Sometimes, a hero is only as good as their villain. Whether they’re a charismatic villain that you love to hate or pure, unadulterated evil, these villains will stick in your mind for years to come. Be sure to check out our How to Write a Villain video essay below for a breakdown of three villainous archetypes. Without further ado, please join us in counting down the best movie villains of all time.Continue reading The Best Villains of All Time — 23 Vile and Vicious Evildoers
Logos is a mode of persuasion that appeals to logic. Logos has been used for thousands of years, and it is still used today to communicate reason. We’re going to look at a variety of logos examples, but first, let’s explain what it is, and how it’s different from the other rhetorical appeals: ethos and pathos. Continue reading Logos Examples in Literature, Speeches, Ads & More
Writing a biopic screenplay can present an enormous challenge for even the most veteran screenwriters. That’s because biopics often involve legal and circumstantial challenges that aren’t an issue with other forms. Don’t fear though: we’re going to show you how to write a biopic screenplay step-by-step. By the end, you’ll be ready to write a biopic screenplay either as a spec, or a script intended for production. Continue reading How to Write a Biopic Screenplay — Research & Writing TIps
Have you ever started a new show and changed the channel or switched to another show within the first few minutes? The show probably didn’t do enough to grab your attention. Cold opens can make or break an episode of a TV show. But what is a cold open and why do TV writers use them so frequently? In this article, we’ll take a look at a few of the best cold opens to answer those questions and more. Continue reading What is a Cold Open in TV — Dissecting the Best Cold Opens
Irony Explained: The Ultimate Guide (FREE Ebook)A comprehensive and straightforward guide for any storyteller looking to wield the power of irony.We'll cover the various types of irony and their unique storytelling values so you can expand your writer's toolkit. What is IronyUnderstanding the various types of irony, you'll be able to write more complex and layered storiesThere are many literary devices available to writers and each has their particular strengths. Irony is an extremely powerful tool but in order to wield it, you have to understand it.This ultimate guide explains 12 different forms of irony to allow you to find the…
Perhaps Drive’s most lasting impact is its look. The exquisite framing, blocking, and lighting throughout the film immerse the audience in a nocturnal cityscape that’s as dangerous as it is hypnotic.But the ethereal tone of Drive doesn’t just come from director Nicolas Winding Refn. The Drive script is a masterclass in restraint, allowing for a meditative feel to permeate the film. How does the Drive screenplay work? What does such a visual-oriented movie’s script look like?Continue reading Drive Script PDF Download: Genre, Characters & Ending Analysis
What makes Jurassic Park a timeless story? While there are many reasons, one of the most important is the fantastic screenplay. Despite its age, the Jurassic Park script is a monument to classic story-telling. In this breakdown, we will provide a Jurassic Park summary, as well as why this script stands tall above all of the sequels that follow.Continue reading Jurassic Park Script PDF Download: Characters, Quotes, and Plot
Inglourious Basterds was a massive turning point in director Quentin Tarantino’s career. It launched his revisionist history trilogy, which flipped the script on World War II, American slavery, and the murder of actress Sharon Tate at the hands of Charles Manson’s cult members. Tarantino is known for unforgettable dialogue in which ordinary conversations become extraordinary and tensions subtly rise to a climax with words alone. The Inglourious Basterds script has some of the most intense and powerful stretches of dialogue in cinema and we can transform future screenplays for the better by analyzing its example. Let’s continue the conversation. Continue reading Inglourious…
If you love TV, then you’ve probably heard of a bottle episode before. Some of the best shows ever from Breaking Bad to Community have used this formula to mixed results. They tend to be some of the most divisive episodes with some fans hating the unique structure while others love what’s made possible through them. But what is a bottle episode? Keep reading to see if your next spec script should have this structure. Continue reading What is a Bottle Episode — Best Examples & How to Write One
