Inglourious Basterds was a massive turning point in director Quentin Tarantino’s career. It launched his revisionist history trilogy, which flipped the script on World War II, American slavery, and the murder of actress Sharon Tate at the hands of Charles Manson’s cult members. Tarantino is known for unforgettable dialogue in which ordinary conversations become extraordinary and tensions subtly rise to a climax with words alone. The Inglourious Basterds script has some of the most intense and powerful stretches of dialogue in cinema and we can transform future screenplays for the better by analyzing its example. Let’s continue the conversation. Continue reading Inglourious…
When the 500 Days of Summer screenplay came onto the scene, it took a bit of time before it was actually produced. In fact, it was even featured in the 2006 Blacklist, a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year. Finally, the film was produced and released to incredible success both critically and commercially. So what makes the 500 Days of Screenplay so good that it became one of the best romantic comedy sleeper hits of all time? We'll find out, along with a shot-by-shot video breakdown of the now-iconic "expectations vs. reality" scene.Continue reading 500 Days of…
Before The Sopranos, television looked a bit different than it is today. Premiering in 1999 on HBO, the show was a major hit and phenomenon for a variety of reasons. While it looked like a regular mafia show on the surface, The Sopranos dug deep, looking at its characters as regular human beings, which we could all relate to. It did it through memorable dialogue, exciting action, and profound themes, which can all be seen in some form in The Sopranos pilot script.Continue reading The Sopranos Pilot Script PDF Download and Analysis
Auteur filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson is an ideal example of a storyteller that has grown and matured with time and practice. His fifth feature film There Will Be Blood is a capstone to the restrained, yet powerful storytelling ability he has come to possess with time. It also remains his most acclaimed film. What makes There Will Be Blood so great? As in every film, it all begins with the screenplay. Let’s analyze the different components of the There Will Be Blood script and how they all work together to tell an incredible, engaging story.Continue reading There Will Be Blood…
Pixar has always found a way to tell stories that appeal not only to children, but to audiences of all ages. The Inside Out script proves to be no different. The complex concepts of emotional intelligence are simplified, but not compromised in this entertaining tale of a girl coming to terms with the changes in her life and how her emotions help her get there. Creating this story, however, was not a simple process. Let’s take a look at how the folks over at Pixar constructed Inside Out on the page.Continue reading Inside Out Script PDF Download: Plot, Characters &…
The Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone script is one of the best examples of how to write a franchise-launching movie. Whether you have an interest in adapting a novel, conveying a fantastical world in writing, or a little bit of both, there’s simply a ton of value in studying the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone screenplay. We’re going to look at how the script uses its characters, quotes, and verbiage to build an unforgettable world. Join us as we jump into Platform 9¾ to break down the screenwriting aspects of the wizarding world of Harry Potter!Continue reading Harry…
Both dysfunctional and profoundly human, Little Miss Sunshine is packed with emotional gut-punches and unique lessons in storytelling. Screenwriter Michael Arndt creates complicated characters, sets high stakes, and dangles success in front of the protagonists up until the very end. So, writers, take note; the Little Miss Sunshine script is a true model of solid screenwriting and our analysis will clarify exactly why that is. Continue reading Little Miss Sunshine Script PDF Download & Analysis
You cannot capture a man’s entire life in two hours. All you can hope is to leave the impression of one,” says Gary Oldman in David Fincher’s oeuvre to Citizen Kane. But whose life is Citizen Kane an impression of? Charles Foster Kane? William Randolph Hearst? Orson Welles? Or Herman Mankiewicz? Perhaps it’s an impression of none of them; or all of them. We’re going to break down the Citizen Kane script by summarizing its plot and by analyzing its characters. We’ll ask questions like: who wrote Citizen Kane? And what is Citizen Kane about? By the end, you’ll know…
The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most influential films of the past thirty years. Watch any crime TV show or gritty detective movie and you’ll see the movie’s impact in spades. Much of the film’s success has been credited to Jonathan Demme’s skillful direction and the cast’s legendary performances, but neither would be possible without The Silence of the Lambs’ immaculate script, which set the gold standard for serial killer thrillers. Download your own copt of The Silence of the Lambs script as we break down the themes, characters, and dialogue.Continue reading The Silence of the Lambs…
The Ex Machina screenplay is a masterclass demonstration on how to write a story with complex themes in a limited setting. We’re going to break down the Ex Machina script by looking at its setting, dialogue and tone. By the end, you’ll know how to write an engrossing feature length script with just a few characters. Continue reading Ex Machina Script PDF Download: Plot, Characters & Quotes
