Screenwriting

Screenwriting Terms — Abbreviations, Definitions & Vocab

There are a lot of intricacies in scripts that present challenges to even the most veteran of screenwriters. The process of writing a script is difficult enough but the vocabulary, abbreviations, and defintions related to the job can be a bit elusive. But don’t worry, we’re going to cover a variety of screenwriting terms that… Continue reading Screenwriting Terms — Abbreviations, Definitions & Vocab

Chris Heckmann

What is a Character Study — Character vs. Plot-Driven Narratives

Have you ever watched a movie that seemed more focused on the inner life of its central character than following a traditional plot? Plenty of movies have great characters, but how many of those same movies would have the same plot if you removed that character? This is part of what makes character studies special,… Continue reading What is a Character Study — Character vs. Plot-Driven Narratives

Rafael Abreu

Chekhov’s Gun — How To Setup and Payoff in Screenwriting

What is Chekhov’s gun? What are setups and payoffs? The concepts are interconnected, and all three should be included in any and all screenwriting endeavors. We will provide working definitions, take a look at illustrative examples used in great films, and discuss how to best incorporate the practice into your own writing. Before we jump… Continue reading Chekhov’s Gun — How To Setup and Payoff in Screenwriting

Sam Kench

Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay — Top 20 Ranked

One of the most prestigious honors a screenwriter can be given is the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Over the years, we’ve seen sweeping stories of romanticism like the original Titanic, as well as stories of war like The Hurt Locker, win the award. We’re going to list all the scripts that have won… Continue reading Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay — Top 20 Ranked

Chris Heckmann

What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Writer Should Know

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… Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Writer Should Know

Kyle DeGuzman

Writing for Television — Format, Genre and Structure

With new streaming platforms emerging every year and binge watching becoming an art form, the television industry needs more writers than ever. Unfortunately, there is also more competition than ever. Breaking into the TV industry can be tough, but here are the fundamentals you need to know about becoming a television show writer as well… Continue reading Writing for Television — Format, Genre and Structure

Kyle DeGuzman

What is a Slug Line? Scene Heading Screenplay Formatting

While cinematography has the unique ability to visually draw an audience’s eye to something specific, screenwriters also have a unique tool to draw a reader’s attention to a specific scene element within a screenplay. The slug line is one of the best tools a screenwriter has for drawing attention and incorporating visual elements into a… Continue reading What is a Slug Line? Scene Heading Screenplay Formatting

Kyle DeGuzman

Different Types of Poems and Poem Structures — A Writer’s Guide

Did you know that some language and anthropology scholars believe that poetry predates literacy? Poetry is one of the world’s oldest and most venerated art forms. As storytellers, there’s simply a ton of value in learning more about what makes poetry so special, as well as what makes it so historically important. We’re going to… Continue reading Different Types of Poems and Poem Structures — A Writer’s Guide

Chris Heckmann

The Godfather Script PDF Download: Plot, Quotes, and Analysis

The Godfather is nothing short of a masterpiece. That’s because every single facet of the film’s production is layered with detail, emotion, and purpose. But everything that we see visually in the final cut was once just an idea in the minds of Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, initially transcribed onto the page as… Continue reading The Godfather Script PDF Download: Plot, Quotes, and Analysis

Chris Heckmann

What Does CONT’D Mean in a Screenplay & How to Use It

MORE and CONT’D are dialogue transitions that are used to mark the continuation of characters speaking in a screenplay. We’re going to show you how to use MORE and CONT’D with screenplay examples – and then we’ll explain when you should use them in your own scripts.Continue reading What Does CONT’D Mean in a Screenplay… Continue reading What Does CONT’D Mean in a Screenplay & How to Use It

Chris Heckmann

How to Write Sluglines: Scene Heading Format and Creative Uses

Screenplays are a unique and often challenging medium for storytelling because they are essentially stories on the page made for the screen. It can be difficult for screenwriters to communicate the visuals of a film through screenwriting, but one of the best tools they have to do this is the slug line. They are used… Continue reading How to Write Sluglines: Scene Heading Format and Creative Uses

Kyle DeGuzman

How to Become a Paid Screenwriter in 2021: A Step-by-Step Guide

You want to learn how to become a screenwriter, but every screenwriting article you find is redundant or confusing. We’ve put together a complete step-by-step guide to screenwriting that teaches you how to become a screenwriter, how to find entertainment writer jobs in LA (and elsewhere), and how to sell your screenplay. We also provide videos and… Continue reading How to Become a Paid Screenwriter in 2021: A Step-by-Step Guide

SC Lannom

What is a Script Doctor? How to Become a Script Consultant in 2021

One job in Hollywood without a clear career path is that of the script doctor. More behind-the-scenes than most well-paid positions in Hollywood, the script doctor has an enormous influence on whether a film moves forward into production. Short-term and often uncredited, no one ever says getting a script doctoring gig is easy. In fact,… Continue reading What is a Script Doctor? How to Become a Script Consultant in 2021

Herman Wilkins

What is a Film Treatment? Examples From E.T. and The Shining

Whenever you read a full-length screenplay, it is important to understand all of the steps that led to the final draft of that script. Stories are often changed and workshopped long before they are written into a screenplay. The pre-writing phase of a screenplay is essential to many writers and a fundamental device used is… Continue reading What is a Film Treatment? Examples From E.T. and The Shining

Kyle DeGuzman

14 Best Screenwriting Contests You Need to Enter Now

I think we all can agree, screenwriting contests can be useful tools for both new writers and those with experience under their belts. They’re excellent ways to get noticed, but some of the contests out there can’t take you as far as some others. So what are the best screenwriting contests to enter? Continue reading 14… Continue reading 14 Best Screenwriting Contests You Need to Enter Now

Matt Rickett

19 Best Screenwriting Websites to Fast Track Your Career

W hen you’re starting out as a screenwriter, it can be hard to know how to forge a path. There are lots of “experts” out there, but you want to get your information from the best screenwriting websites. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best twelve screenwriting websites so we can help you on… Continue reading 19 Best Screenwriting Websites to Fast Track Your Career

StudioBinder

How to Become a Script Reader — Duties, Salary, and Resources

It’s well documented that Hollywood is a tough industry to crack. Whether an aspiring writer, producer, or director… you’ll often start in a job that’s neither writing, producing, or directing. And as you spend countless hours on Linkedin or Indeed searching for jobs, you may see posts for script reader jobs, script coverage jobs, or… Continue reading How to Become a Script Reader — Duties, Salary, and Resources

Theo Friedman