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 direct, actors would act, and the studios had their checkbooks open. So, who is Shane Black? Just a recent UCLA grad who took full advantage of this seller’s market, becoming the world's highest-paid screenwriter by the age of 30. Let’s find out how.Continue reading Shane…

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 Queer representation. Continue reading What is Queer Theory? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

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 why we’re going to look at the Batman Begins script and see how the use of dialogue, themes, and action helped make this movie a beloved hit. Continue reading Batman Begins Script PDF Download: Quotes, Characters & Plot

Daniel Plainview: There Will Be Blood True Story Explained

In film, there are memorable characters and there are iconic characters. The latter is a result of great writing, directing, and acting. Auteur directors flesh out these iconic characters to create a whole person. The screen has been graced with iconic characters like Jack in The Shining, Travis in Taxi Driver, or for this article, Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood. Who is Daniel Plainview? There are many components that contributed to the creation of the character of Daniel Plainview. Research, inspiration, and casting decisions are all critical. In this article, we’ll dive into a Daniel Plainview character analysis…

What is a Prequel? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters

In today’s cinematic landscape, very few people are unaware of what a prequel is. Whether you’re watching a new movie that’s labelled as such, or the “sequel” you’re watching actually takes place before the first film, prequels are not that uncommon in the world of entertainment. But what is a prequel exactly, and what are the elements that make one up?Continue reading What is a Prequel? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters

John August — A Name Every Screenwriter Should Know

There seem to be three primary ways people learn screenwriting these days: film school, screenwriting books or the Scriptnotes podcast with John August and Craig Mazin. In most cases, probably a combination of all three. Film school has an obvious downside, it costs about $100,000. Ask any screenwriter about screenwriting books and you’ve clearly hit a touchy subject, and don’t even mention the gurus. Yet, it’s hard to find anything negative about the weekly Scriptnotes podcast, which means it’s hard to find anything negative to say about John August. So, who is John August and why is he such a…

Toy Story 4 Script PDF Download: Characters, Quotes & Ending

Many people thought the last time they would see Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of Andy’s toys would be in 2010’s Toy Story 3. However, those beloved toys got one final send-off (for now) with Toy Story 4, released in 2019. To come back after a successful trilogy was no easy feat, but as the Toy Story 4 script proves, Pixar had a strong story they needed to tell. With tons of new characters and great quotes (as well as a tear-jerking ending), some franchises are meant to be tetralogies.Continue reading Toy Story 4 Script PDF Download: Characters, Quotes…

What is a Soap Opera — History, Examples & Evolution

Soap operas have been a staple of daytime television for decades, captivating audiences with their cliffhangers, melodramatic plots, and character-driven stories. With their roots in radio programming, these serialized shows have a rich history and have evolved significantly over the years while maintaining their unique characteristics.Continue reading What is a Soap Opera — History, Examples & Evolution

What is a Pangram — Definition, Examples & Uses

Apangram, often a source of intrigue, is a unique linguistic feat that not everyone may be familiar with. In essence, a pangram is a sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet at least once, showcasing the versatility of language and the creativity of the writer. Consider the phrase, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog", a common example of a pangram that may well be known by many. Let’s uncover the uses, variations, and the challenges pangrams present to linguists and language enthusiasts alike.Continue reading What is a Pangram — Definition, Examples & Uses

Us Movie Ending Explained: Symbolism, Themes & Easter Eggs

Jordan Peele followed up his Oscar-winning horror film Get Out with another horror flick that dealt heavily in social commentary: Us. The movie follows a suburban family who goes on vacation only to discover a group of doppelgangers are out to get them. They soon learn there’s an entire world of doppelgangers hiding within an elaborate tunnel system beneath the surface, and it all leads to a shocking finale. If you haven’t been able to stop thinking about the movie since it came out in 2019, don’t worry. We have all your answers right here. Here’s the Us movie ending…