You finally started writing that great screenplay idea and put words to paper. But all of a sudden you realize that you may have the foundation of your story, but not the details. This is not an uncommon problem. So we decided to address this uncommon problem and lay out tips that will help you… Continue reading How to Develop a Movie Script — Characters, Structure & Goals
Irony Explained: The Ultimate Guide (FREE Ebook)A comprehensive and straightforward guide for any storyteller looking to wield the power of irony.We’ll cover the various types of irony and their unique storytelling values so you can expand your writer’s toolkit. Download Now What is IronyUnderstanding the various types of irony, you’ll be able to write more… Continue reading Irony Explained — The Ultimate Guide for Storytellers
⌂ Types OF IronyVerbal IronySituational IronyDramatic Irony We encounter irony every day: in our favorite movies, TV shows, and in our own lives. Most people have a general understanding of irony but there are also a lot of misconceptions about it. For example, were you aware that there are 3 different types of irony? In this… Continue reading 3 Types of Irony Every Storyteller Should Know (with Examples)
Martin Scorsese is widely considered one of the finest filmmakers of his or any generation. Of his long list of masterpieces, his enduring classic Taxi Driver remains one of the most beloved. One scene in particular has permeated the zeitgeist in a way few scenes manage to do: the iconic and oft-quoted “You talking to… Continue reading You Talking to Me? — Breaking Down Taxi Driver’s Iconic Scene
After their first viewing, many people need the Vertigo movie explained. This Alfred Hitchcock film is beguiling and its initial release in 1958 was disappointing. It made significantly less than other Hitchcock films to date and it was widely panned by critics. Subsequently, Hitchcock bought back the rights to the film but it was widely… Continue reading Vertigo Movie Explained — Plot, Characters, Themes & Legacy
A cliche is an expression in any artistic work that has been overused to the point of losing all meaning. A car failing to start while a killer is hot on the protagonist’s tail may have once worked as an effective way to build suspense. But now, audiences are more likely to roll than eyes… Continue reading 20 Movie Tropes and Cliches to Avoid in Your Next Screenplay
Alright — you’ve got it. The screenplay idea that will change the world, break box office records, and win you every single Oscar. Only… you don’t quite understand how to format a screenplay. Do you even really need screenplay format?Continue reading Formatting a Screenplay: How to Put Your Story Into Screenplay Format
Few film endings are as iconic and impactful as the unforgettable resolution to The Graduate. Be sure to watch our video essay below for a full breakdown of The Graduate ending scene, then read on for further analysis. We’ll be digging into the four factors that culminate in the film’s ending being as effective as… Continue reading The Graduate Ending Scene — Breaking Down an Iconic Finale
Film is primarily a visual medium. Filmmakers have various tools to create meaning through visual elements, one of which is the visual metaphor. Visual metaphors are often subtle, but are incredibly important for filmmakers in communicating and resonating with an audience. What is a visual metaphor? How and why do filmmakers use them? We’ll break… Continue reading What is a Visual Metaphor — Definition & Examples in Art & Film
Writing contests are great ways to build your portfolio, and hone your writing skills. For emerging writers especially, the price to pay is usually quite small, while the rewards range from getting published to receiving thousands. Not a bad trade-off. The only reasonable downside is all the extra work…for well…all the extra rejection. Ah, I’m only… Continue reading Short Story Contests Worth Your Time — Prizes, Fees, Deadlines
Human beings have been telling stories for as long as we have roamed this Earth. Storytelling has gone from oral tradition to a natural part of the cinematic landscape. And in-between it all, we have learned how to end a story. Throughout our years telling stories, we have learned that there are ultimately four ways… Continue reading How to End a Story — Different Types of Story Endings Explained
Why do we love superheroes? Is it because we fantasize about having powers that make us greater than what we are? Is it because we long for justice in an unjust world? Is it because we’re bored and there’s nothing better to watch? Yes, but there is more to our fondness of the superhero genre… Continue reading What is a Superhero? Definition, Types and Characteristics
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
From romantic comedies to dramas, many films require a scene where the future love interests meet. There’s love in their eyes, even if one or both of them don’t realize it yet. This is the meet cute, and if you’re writing a script with a romantic plot, then you need to know how to answer,… Continue reading What is a Meet Cute? 4 Ways to Write Them in a Screenplay
Introducing StudioBinder’s screenplay library — your one-stop-shop for reading, downloading, and analyzing the best movie scripts online. Our collection contains all the feature-length screenplays in our database as well as scripts that we have broken down by plot, character, ending, quotes, and more. Our hope is that screenwriters everywhere can have access to these iconic… Continue reading Explore and Read the Best Free Movie Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)
Years before Avengers: Infinity War was dubbed “the most ambitious crossover event” in history, there was the film that started it all: Marvel’s The Avengers. In this article, we’re going to analyze The Avengers script by looking at quotes, plot and characters. But before we jump in, let’s remind ourselves of the story structure and… Continue reading The Avengers Script PDF Download: Plot, Quotes, and Analysis
The Mean Girls script is widely known for being Tina Fey’s screenwriting debut and the foundation for a cult hit, but what are the things that make it work so well? Let’s break down the Mean Girls script by looking at characters, quotes and story with the goal of finding the story’s major theme! Continue… Continue reading Mean Girls Script PDF Download: Plot, Quotes, and Analysis
Before a screenplay is crafted by underpaid writers, it starts as a logline. At any stage of a production, a logline is a tool used to sell your idea.Continue reading How to Write a Logline Producers Won’t Pass On [with Logline Examples]
Writing dialogue is the best part of writing a screenplay. It’s the part of the writing where you get to be an actor for a while and cast powerful magic spells, or save an innocent man from prison, or lead an army into battle – at least in your mind. But dialogue is also something… Continue reading Say What? Fundamental Approaches to Writing ‘Realistic’ Dialogue
I s there anything more fun than an epic fight scene? They don’t win Oscars, but the best stay with you. And when written well, they can say as much as any other scene in the most serious dramas. Many writers struggle with how to write action scenes. They think because they don’t know martial… Continue reading Mastering the Screenplay: How to Write an Epic Fight Scene
