Trope EssentialsOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Character Tropes Stock Character Mary Sue Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mad Scientist Femme Fatale Damsel in Distress Plot TropesOpen menu Plot Device Deus ex Machina Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring Deal with the Devil Narrative… Continue reading Deus ex Machina — Meaning, Definition & Examples in Movies
It is not uncommon for writers to find inspiration from their dreams. Dreams are a canvas of the subconscious that humans have innately interpreted throughout history. This allure to deciphering dreams has made them an incredible storytelling mechanism. Many screenwriters utilize dream sequences for their strong imagery and effective storytelling abilities. In this article, we’ll analyze… Continue reading How to Write Dream Sequences in Film — Format & Story Tips
Screenwriting JobsOpen menu Screenwriting Jobs Writers Assistant Jobs Screenwriting ResourcesOpen menu Screenwriting Internships Screenwriting Classes Online Screenwriting Websites Screenwriting Programs Screenwriting Fellowships Screenwriting Books StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free T here are so many screenwriting books out there that claim to be the best, so how do you know which ones to buy?… Continue reading 15 Best Screenwriting Books to Help You Break Into Hollywood
Trope EssentialsOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Character Tropes Stock Character Mary Sue Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mad Scientist Femme Fatale Damsel in Distress Plot TropesOpen menu Plot Device Deus ex Machina Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring Deal with the Devil Narrative… Continue reading 20 Movie Tropes and Cliches to Avoid in Your Next Screenplay
What is mood in literature and film? We often use the term “mood” in a generalized sense to describe the overall feel of situations – but is that a misapplication? We’re going to break down everything there is to know about mood; including how mood is different from tone and how mood is applied in… Continue reading What is Mood in Literature & Film — A Guide for Storytellers
EssentialsOpen menu What is a Scene What is The Three Act Structure What is Story Structure What is a Story Beat What Is a Plot Plot vs Story What is a Non-Linear Plot What is a Plot Device What is Freytag’s Pyramid Screenplay StructureOpen menu Screenplay Structure Examples What is a Story Mountain Joseph Campbell’s… Continue reading Screenplay Structure Examples — A Guide for Screenwriters
I, me, we, and us, are all words used to articulate ourselves in the first person point of view – but what is first person point of view? We’re going to explore how the first person point of view, or POV, is used in prose, poetry, cinema, and video games as both a writing and… Continue reading What is First Person Point of View? Definition and Examples
What is the setting of a story? Is it simply the time and place of a story? Or is it something more? We’re going to look at some examples of setting in literature and film to see how writers and directors communicate time, place, and more in their works. But before we jump into some… Continue reading What is the Setting of a Story — Elements of Storytelling
Onomatopoeia can make a BANG or THUD in your mind when reading a sentence. And while that sentence is definitely not the best example of the effects of onomatopoeia, we’ll be taking a look at some actual good examples of the literary device in this article. What is onomatopoeia? Let’s dive into how writers use… Continue reading What is Onomatopoeia — Definition and Examples in Lit. & 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… Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know
Screenwriting JobsOpen menu Screenwriting Jobs Writers Assistant Jobs Screenwriting ResourcesOpen menu Screenwriting Internships Screenwriting Classes Online Screenwriting Websites Screenwriting Programs Screenwriting Fellowships Screenwriting Books StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free Studios, producers, executives, agents, and managers are always looking for the next great up and coming screenwriter. One of the best ways they… Continue reading Best Screenwriting Fellowships — Nicholl, Sundance, WB, Disney
Screenplays are meant to tell a cinematic story. This can be difficult, however, without the advantage of visuals. Screenwriters are stuck with using words to communicate highly cinematic scenes. One of the best tools they have to do this is the parenthetical. Parentheticals allow screenwriters to fit in small, but vital information within a dialogue scene.… Continue reading What is a Parenthetical in a Script (and When to Use Them)?
How to Format a ScreenplayOpen menu Formatting a Screenplay Screenplay Font Margins Scene Headings Sluglines Action / Description Action Breaks Character Cues Dialogue Transitions Chyrons Flashbacks TV Script Format 101 Pre-Lap How to Use O.S. in a Script How to Use CONT’D in a Script FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for… Continue reading How to Write a Flashback in a Script — Techniques & Format
Narrative is a term that pops up everywhere, not only in relation to film and literature, but also in news stories, in college curriculums, to describe a style of podcasts, even to specify a form of psychotherapy. But what is a narrative? And why is the term used so often to describe so many seemingly… Continue reading What is a Narrative — Definition, Examples in Literature and Film
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Backstory Catharsis Conflict Dialogue Mood Motif Plot Point of View Protagonist Setting Subplot Subtext Theme Structural ElementsOpen menu Anticlimax Climax Context Denouement Epilogue Narrative Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Flashback Foreshadowing Exposition Hamartia Iambic Pentameter Irony Juxtaposition Peripeteia Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Satire Symbolism Figures of SpeechOpen menu Allegory… Continue reading What is Personification — Definition and Examples for Writers
Christopher Nolan is one of the most revered directors of the 21st century, known for his cerebral blockbusters like Inception and The Dark Knight. Much is made of his striking visual style and expert direction, but his work as a screenwriter is equally important to his career success. While Nolan’s cinematic subjects are far ranging—from sci-fi… Continue reading Christopher Nolan’s Writing Process Explained & Script PDFs
Trope EssentialsOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Character Tropes Stock Character Mary Sue Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mad Scientist Femme Fatale Damsel in Distress Plot TropesOpen menu Plot Device Deus ex Machina Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring Deal with the Devil Narrative… Continue reading What is a Plot Device? Definitions and Examples for Screenwriters
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 13… Continue reading 13 Best Screenwriting Contests You Need to Enter Now
There are various literary devices that cross over from literature to everyday language. Perhaps the most commonly used literary device in everyday conversations is the euphemism. Euphemisms can change over time and change between cultures but what is a euphemism? What does euphemism mean? In this article, we’ll take a look at how this literary… Continue reading What is a Euphemism — Definition, Examples for All Writers
Joker dominated 2019. Upon its release, it topped the box office and attracted an unprecedented amount of attention from press and public alike. Joker’s ending is without a doubt one of the main reasons why: it’s a third act filled with unforgettable moments and tantalizing twists. What makes the Joker ending so instantly iconic? The… Continue reading Joker Ending Explained — How to Make a Satisfying Finale
