Andrei Tarkovsky, one of the masters of cinema, wrote a book titled Sculpting in Time in which he gives insight into one of the most fundamental aspects of filmmaking — how to shape time in a story. One of the building blocks that filmmakers can manipulate to change the rhythm and perception of time in a film is a scene. The amount of scenes in a movie, how long they are, and at what pace they are edited are all ways scenes impact a film. A great way to understand these concepts is to analyze how many scenes are in a…
In the late 19th century, a group of writers pioneered an approach to literature that would examine every pore of human life, the beautiful and the brutal alike. Eventually, this approach became known as naturalism, an unflinching mirror held up to society, reflecting life in its most unvarnished form. But what exactly makes naturalism stand out among the many literary movements?Continue reading What is Naturalism in Literature — Definition & Examples
There are novels and screenplays you read as a spectator, distanced from the story happening, only peering in from afar. Then there are pieces of art you experience. It reaches deep inside you, inviting and allowing you to be a part of the story. The difference between the two is influenced by how the piece tells the story. Specifically, in the way it uses the technique of "show, don't tell" writing.Continue reading Show Don’t Tell in Writing — An Essential Lesson
When we watch a movie or read a novel, we momentarily experience a perspective and world outside of our own. Most often, we do this through a character. Through stylistic prose or cinematic perspective, we can step into their shoes and experience the story through their eyes. Without characters, storytelling would merely be a recounting of circumstances without any real perspective.Continue reading What is a Character — Types, Examples & Functions
Only nine animated films have ever been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay; Ratatouille is one of them. There’s so much that we can learn from the Ratatouille script from plot to characters to its satisfying ending. So, cook up your best dish, download a PDF copy, and follow along as we break down the best aspects of the Ratatouille screenplay!Continue reading Ratatouille Script PDF Download: Plot, Characters, and Ending
Welcome to StudioBinder's screenplay library, your ultimate destination for the finest free Western scripts. Saddle up and embark on a wild ride through the rugged frontier as we present a handpicked selection of the most captivating and iconic stories ever written. Experience the lawless lands, epic showdowns, and the untamed spirit of the West. With feature-length screenplays and insightful breakdowns, this collection is a treasure trove for aspiring writers and Western enthusiasts. Get ready to ride into the sunset. Enjoy!Continue reading Best Free Western Movie Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)
Disney Pixar has created some of the greatest cinematic stories of all time. Writer-director and animator Pete Docter is a huge proponent of this legacy. In 2009, Docter and his crew made Up—one of those unique and heartwarming films that the studio is now best known for. Let’s take a look at the story structure from the Up script to understand why it’s so moving.Continue reading Up Script: Scenes, Analysis, and Screenplay PDF Download
Every screenwriter wants to craft a taut and exciting story that keeps viewers riveted from first page to last. Not only are most amateur scripts not up to it, even many produced scripts fail to achieve this. The Safdie brothers’ Uncut Gems script is one of the rare screenplays that meets the challenge. This article will illuminate how the writers create and sustain tension throughout the Uncut Gems plot by putting relentless pressure on their protagonist, and by amassing many obstacles and complications. Continue reading Uncut Gems Script PDF Download: Plot, Characters, and Analysis
Is there any better feeling than winning an argument? Fortunately, Aristotle gave us the key to doing just that millennia ago. The Greek philosopher laid out three key components to persuading an audience that continue to be relevant today. So what is the rhetorical triangle? And how can you use it?Continue reading What is the Rhetorical Triangle — Definition & Case Study
Think back to the last movie you saw whose characters were real people, or whose story was based on true events. Did it surprise you? Enrage you? Straight-forward biopics might cut corners here and there but what happens with truth is bent even further? When writers and directors play fast and loose with the truth, interesting things can happen. So, let's take a look at writing fiction based on true events. Where the truth can be used in creative ways with Tarantino, Charlie Kaufman, and the Safdie Bros. as our guides.SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't seen Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, Adaptation,…
