In psychology, there’s something called the serial position effect. It means people tend to remember what comes first and last, not what occurs in the middle. Filmmakers know this phenomenon all too well. Combine that with today's stream-ability and countless options… and the opening to a film is as important as ever. Today, we study the best opening scenes in movies to see how the best in the business grab the audience and never let go. Continue reading 25 Best Opening Scenes in Movies & What Makes Them Great
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 every screenwriter needs to know. By the end, you’ll be ready to apply a variety of screenwriting techniques to your own script. Continue reading Screenwriting Terms — Abbreviations, Definitions & Vocab
Have you ever watched a movie with a plot twist that left you stunned—only to rewatch it and realize the subtle clues were there all along? This storytelling technique is called foreshadowing. But what is foreshadowing exactly? Is it merely dropping hints, or is it something more powerful? This article explores foreshadowing in literature and film, defining its types, analyzing famous foreshadowing examples, and revealing how master storytellers from William Shakespeare to Christopher Nolan use this device to craft unforgettable stories.Continue reading What is Foreshadowing — Definition, Examples in Film and Lit.
IWelcome to StudioBinder's screenplay library, your ultimate destination for the most compelling and thought-provoking free drama movie scripts. Immerse yourself in a world of raw emotions, powerful performances, and deeply human stories. Our handpicked collection showcases the best of dramatic storytelling, delving into the complexities of life, relationships, and personal journeys. Prepare to be moved and captivated as you delve into the depths of cinematic drama. Enjoy!Continue reading Best Free Drama Movie Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)
What is a plot twist? It’s a term we’ve all heard before – but we rarely ever hear it defined. So today, we’re going to define plot twists by looking at some good twist examples in literature and film. By the end, you’ll know how to write a plot twist like the greats, including Christopher Nolan and M. Night Shyamalan. Continue reading What is a Plot Twist — Definition, Examples and Types Explained
Whether you searched them out yourself, or whether someone recommended you “work on structure,” all writers have come across a screenplay structure in their day. Some swear by it, others liken it to creative cancer. The truth is, whether you like them or not, there is value in understanding what the formulas are and how they are used. Today, we’ll learn the screenplay structures you need to know, how they work, and run a few scripts through them.Continue reading Screenplay Structure Examples — A Guide for Screenwriters
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 epic to revenge thriller to war drama—there are many common themes and tools that he uses time and time again. Let’s look at the Christopher Nolan writing process and what every writer should take away from it.Continue reading Christopher Nolan’s Writing Process Explained & Script…
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 & How to Use It
A shocking twist ending is a great way to end a film with a bang but great twists aren’t confined to just the ends of films. The best plot twists catch us off guard, recontextualizing everything we just watched and rewarding subsequent rewatches. There will, of course, be major spoilers to follow, this is your SPOILER WARNING! Without further ado, join us in counting down the 20 best plot twist movies of all time.Continue reading Best Plot Twist Movies & Biggest Plot Twists in Movie History
Best Nolan MoviesNolan's Directing StyleNolan Directing Tips Nolan's CirclesNolan's Shot List Understanding how Christopher Nolan approaches filmmaking is an important step to improving your own skills, but his films are complicated puzzles that are built to confuse and perplex viewers. His use of visual and narrative circles creates intricate and layered films. In this post, we’re going to find the “head of the snake” that governs the overall philosophy of Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking. Let’s jump in.Continue reading How Christopher Nolan Films use Circles to Warp Sight & Sound
