Odds are that if you’ve had any interest in writing a script within the past fifty years you’ve heard of the Hero’s Journey. A writer you got drinks with swore by it, a film professor suggested you read about it. Or you overheard the barista at your local coffee shop talking about how Die Hard is a picture-perfect template for it. But... what is it? I’ll explain all of the Hero’s Journey’s 17 steps and provide examples in the modern canon. Then you can kick writer’s block and get a strong script into the hands of agents and producers.Continue reading Joseph…
Alliteration is a powerful literary device in literature, marketing, and everyday speech. But what is alliteration exactly? Simply put, it is the repetition of initial consonant sounds—a technique that relies on repeated sounds—in closely placed words, making phrases more rhythmic and memorable. Let's break it down with alliteration examples, definitions, and practical uses.Continue reading What is Alliteration — Definitions, Examples in Literature & Film
Mise en scène can seem foreign, even to filmmakers, film critics, and movie buffs. Why is it important? How do you pronounce it? And what is mise en scène anyway. Grasping mise en scène is critical for anyone who makes or seriously watches any kind of visual content. For directors and producers, mise en scène in film and the script breakdown go hand in hand.In this article, we’ll let you know what mise en scène is and how you can use it — both as a filmmaker and as a savvy viewer. We will define 20 key mise en scène…
You've heard stories about studios paying millions of dollars for scripts. Probably prompting the deserved question, “How much do screenwriters make?” Today, we're going to take a look at the events that got the spec market to where it is today. But we've got the insider's perspective, and we've done the research. You’ll leave this article with confidence, ready to give yourself the best chance possible before you submit a script to Netflix, Paramount, or HBO.Continue reading How Much Do Screenwriters Really Make?
It’s easy to mix up the different types of camera shots and types of angles. To make a shot list, a filmmaker or video creative must know the classic types of shots based on attributes like shot size, shot framing, camera movement, camera mechanisms, and depth of field. We'll break down all the camera shots, camera angles, and camera techniques that you need to know for your next film or music video. We also include camera shot examples from famous movies to help solidify all the discussed cinematography techniques. Continue reading 50+ Types of Camera Shots, Angles, and Techniques
Browse Film Terms A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will be your best friend. We’ve included as many film terms as humanly possible all on one page, so let’s get into it.Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology
What is a protagonist? What makes a story truly memorable? Often, it's the protagonist—the driving force who takes us on an unforgettable journey. Many refer to it as the leading character in a story. But is the protagonist something more? Or something less? To understand the definition fully, we need to look at how different types of protagonists are used in screenwriting. This will help us understand, what is a protagonist, and which type works best for our scripts.Continue reading What is a Protagonist — Definition & Examples for Screenwriters
What is an antagonist? The simplest explanation is that an antagonist represents the opposite of the protagonist. But there’s much more to the term than that. They are the source of conflict in a story — and if you know anything about storytelling, you know that conflict is necessary. So, by understanding how antagonists are used in storytelling, we’re better equipped to handle story conflict in our own writing. In this post, we’ll cover all the different antagonistic forces a writer can choose from, how they work, and how to decide which one works best for your next story.Continue reading…
There will be moments in any good story where the main character is under duress. Where something is... wrong. How does a filmmaker convey this? With a Dutch angle. A Dutch angle is a classic cinematic technique to create unease inside the mind of the viewer. In this post, we’ll break down Dutch angles so that you can use them in your next project.Continue reading Dutch Angles: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles
So you’ve finished your story: the primary antagonist has been defeated; the main-plot has been resolved -- but something still feels incomplete. Don’t worry, many writers struggle to find that ever-so-coveted perfect ending. One way to add further resolution to a story’s conclusion is by adding an epilogue. We’re going to show you how to write an epilogue that’s resolute and satisfying, with screenplay examples from Half Nelson, Annie Hall, and more. By the end, you’ll know how to write an epilogue that aids your story not ails it.Continue reading How to Write an Epilogue — Ideas for Crafting a…
