How do you want to be remembered after you die? While this question might seem morbid, it is an inevitable inquiry that invites us to look deeper into both our own identity and our collective mortality. The art of using language in a concise way that speaks to this question is the art of the epitaph. Continue reading What is an Epitaph – Definition and Examples
Do you have dreams of being the greatest writer to ever grace the planet? Good writers know when to exaggerate, and when to lay low with their prose. This is why it’s important to understand what hyperbole is, and how and when to use it, or when to avoid it. (And after you read this article, you’ll be able to identify the example of hyperbole hidden in that first sentence!) Read on to learn about hyperbole’s meaning and see examples. Continue reading Hyperbole Examples in Speech, Literature, and Poetry
By the time I was caught, I was considered the youngest and most daring con man in US history.” This is the incredible opening line to Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film “Catch Me If You Can.” The movie is based on a biographical book written by Frank Abagnale Jr. - played in the movie by Leonardo DiCaprio. His book was an autobiography, telling the story of his own life. Some of the most iconic movies and books ever written are based on biographies and autobiographies. After reading this article, you’ll understand what biographies are, biographies vs. autobiographies, and more. Continue reading…
No story can exist without characters. Think of your favorite book or TV show. You likely already have a favorite character, right? That means - perhaps even without knowing it - you’ve already engaged with the world of fictional characters! But what does fictional character mean, and what are some of the all-time great fictional characters from literature, television, and film? Read on to find out the answer to the question “what is a fictional character?” Continue reading What is a Fictional Character — Definition & Types
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Sounds rather lofty, doesn’t it? But you’ve probably heard this commonly cited quote from the King James Bible simplified as the phrase “pride comes before the fall.” The ominous warning tells readers that if they are too arrogant, they may come to regret it. This theme is a common one in storytelling, and many characters exhibit this quality - which is called “hubris” - to their own detriment. But what is hubris, and what are examples of this trait in literature and film? Read on to find out how…
Commas are a common punctuation mark, used to add pauses or separations to sentences. As you can see, we just used one! Commas allow the reader to separate thoughts, and thus, understand a sentence better. Sometimes, commas can be used to separate items in a list. This is where the storied “Oxford comma” comes in. So, what is the Oxford comma, when do you use it, and how? (After you’ll read this, you’ll see how we just used one!). Continue reading What is an Oxford Comma — How & Why They Work
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…
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
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
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…
