What is sarcasm? As it turns out, it isn’t exactly what most people think it is. In some cases, what we think is sarcasm is really just your garden variety of verbal irony. For writers, it is crucial to have a precise and firm grasp on language, so this is the perfect opportunity to clear up any misconceptions. We’ll provide an accurate and clear sarcasm definition using examples from movies and television — because Shakespeare is “sooo 16th Century!” Was that sarcasm or verbal irony? You’ll never know unless you keep reading.Continue reading What is Sarcasm? Definition and Examples in…
What is a parody? Is it a joke? Is it a mock of a famous work? We’re going to get to the bottom of those questions by breaking down the history of parodies – as well as by looking at some famous parody examples in film and literature. By the end, you’ll know what makes a parody unique – and how to parody something yourself.Continue reading What is a Parody — Definition and Examples in Film
Satire is a term that is often misunderstood and for good reason. With the advent of the internet, social media, and memes, it has become the main vehicle for writers and creatives to deliver their social and political commentary. But what is satire and what exactly defines something as satirical? To understand this, we’ll dive into the definition of satire, the three types of satire that exist, and how they are used in literature, films, and TV. Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know
Interrogation scenes are some of the most utilized scenes in all of screenwriting – but how does one write an interrogation scene? Fret not, we’re going to show you how to write an interrogation scene by looking at examples from Prisoners, Shrek, and more. We’re also going to show you how to format your interrogation scene! By the end, you’ll know a variety of creative and technical strategies for how to write an interrogation scene. Continue reading How to Write an Interrogation Scene — Guide for Screenwriters
Directors and cinematographers shoot with purpose, as they match their technical shot choices with the intended tone or emotion of the story. Of course, they’re not the only ones making critical choices. Editors’ decisions hugely determine the success of a film. It is up to the editor to assemble every scene, every cut in a scene, to tell the intended emotional truth of the story. It’s a tall order. To alleviate some of this pressure, Oscar-winning editor, Walter Murch, outlined some helpful tools. In his book, In the Blink of an Eye, Walter Murch details The Rule of Six, discussing…
Cue cards are more than just an assist for on-camera actors in a pinch, they’re an essential tool productions can use when their show is changing too quickly for the performers to properly acclimate. Though most frequently used in live television, its origins stem all the way back to black and white cinema. As we define what cue cards are, we’ll dive deeper into its history and how it’s evolved over the years in both TV and film. Let’s dig in.Continue reading What Are Cue Cards — Definition, Examples and Purpose
What is the difference between a “sketch” and a scene in a SitCom? A “sketch” vs a “skit”? Have you ever watched Saturday Night Live or I Think You Should Leave and wondered how the writers and performers craft a full beginning, middle, and end in the span of under 5 minutes? Over the course of this article, we’re gonna dive into the full definition of sketch comedy and explore its basic formulas as well as highlight some “sketch sub-genres” that have become prevalent in TV (and some movies!). Let’s dig in.Continue reading What is Sketch Comedy — Definition, Examples…
