T he act of storytelling has always been with us. Anthropologist Joseph Campbell took stories from around the world and found they all shared the same basic structure. Campbell's Hero's Journey laid out each of the fundamental steps in this story structure. A few decades later, Dan Harmon took this same idea and created the Story Circle. In Dan Harmon's Story Circle, there are 8 essential steps that can guide almost any story from Fade In to Fade Out. Let's walk through each step with examples so you can apply this foolproof structure to your next great idea.Continue reading Storytelling Guide:…
Got a great script idea in your head but not sure how to condense it? That’s why you need a synopsis. But what if you don’t know how to write a synopsis?Continue reading How to Write a Compelling Movie Synopsis [with FREE Synopsis Template]
Writing dual protagonists is generally frowned upon, unless you’re one of the select few who can break the rules, like Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) or the late William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). Critics argue that writers, especially amateur ones, can get lost in the logistics attempting to craft two protagonists. Others suggest that writers attempt to erect dual protagonists to distract from weak, unformed solitary ones. Let’s face it. Crafting a single endearing protagonist poses enough challenges as it is. Why throw in two? But so many of our favorite films (When Harry Met Sally, La…
In the era of the digital camera, there are numerous settings and adjustments that can be made on a camera. Keeping these details organized and recorded is important for many reasons. Camera reports have changed substantially over the last few years so it's time to get an updated version. In this article, we’ll give you two options for a simple yet effective camera report template that will keep your camera department organized on your next production. Continue reading Camera Report Template — Free Downloads and Guide
Production film budgets differ from television and commercial budgets. While episodic television often use the same budgeting software and overall structures they must separate series costs from individual episode budgets. Commercial and non-film short form projects most often use AICP or a similar structure.Budgeting softwares like Movie Magic and AICP can cost a pretty penny. If these softwares are cost prohibitive for you and you need a film budget, we’ve got you covered.Continue reading Movie Budget? Here’s the only free Film Budget template you need!
If you’re a screenwriter or a filmmaker, you may have heard the term “pre-lap” before. But what is pre-lap in screenplay format, and how can you use it effectively in your scripts? Let’s dive into the definition, when to use them, and how to format them properly in your screenplays.Continue reading What is Pre-Lap in a Screenplay — Function & Format
Film budgeting is an essential part of the filmmaking process. Anyone vaguely thinking of a career as a producer needs to know how to make a film budget. Since film budget software like Movie Magic Budgeting, Showbiz Budgeting, and EP Budgeting can run on the pricey side, we’ve created a free film budget template. Our film budget spreadsheet follows the standard feature of film structure. Continue reading The Essential Guide for Crafting Film Budgets (with FREE Film Budget Template)
TV script format is perhaps the most difficult type of script format to master. That’s because it involves tons of intricacies that screenplays and stage plays don’t. Never fear though, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about TV script format, from 30-minute sitcoms to hour-plus dramas. We’ll look at teleplay examples from Seinfeld, Breaking Bad, and more to see how professional script writers use the format. By the end, you’ll be ready to get started on your very own TV script.Continue reading TV Script Format 101 — Examples of How to Format a TV Script
Welcome to StudioBinder's screenplay library, your ultimate resource for the most captivating and immersive free TV scripts. Step into the world of television storytelling as we present a curated selection of the finest scripts ever written for the small screen. From gripping dramas to hilarious comedies and captivating thrillers, this treasure trove of TV scripts is a valuable tool for aspiring writers and television enthusiasts. Get ready to be captivated by the power of television storytelling. Enjoy!Continue reading Best Free TV Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)
The role of a screenwriter is to tell a story and create a cinematic experience on paper. It is a common debate as to whether or not screenwriters should write camera directions in a screenplay. Whether or not you plan to use them or plan to avoid them, it's important to understand at least how to write camera directions in a script properly. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to write camera directions in a script as well as why to use them minimally. Continue reading How to Write Camera Directions in a Script — Tips & Techniques
