Industrial Scripts

Founded in early 2010, Industrial Scripts is now one of the world’s leading screenwriting companies, with close links to industry and over 1,000 verified testimonials from its global client base.

Announcing the 2022 TITAN Awards Grand Final Winners

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The TITAN Screenwriting Contest banner
So, this is it. After the initial rounds of intense inter-category competition and the quarter-final announcement in August, we were delighted to announce the Semi-Finalists of The 2022 TITAN Screenwriting Contest, as promised, on the 18th September 2022. Finally, on 18th October 2022, the contest reached its penultimate stage. The Finalists / Category Winners were announced on 18th October 2022, and can be viewed below. Today, however (Monday 31st October 2022) is THE big day. Because today, we announce both

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Narrative Pacing: The KEYS To Mastering Your Screenplay’s Pace

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silence of the lambs narrative pacing
When it comes to narrative pacing, we all know the feeling of being on the edge of our seats, biting our nails with anticipation for what’s to come. It’s likely you’ve experienced the opposite too – slogging through something miserably tiresome, desperate for it to end or wondering where it’s leading. Both show how narrative pacing is integral to the smooth reading of a screenplay. It impacts the audience’s response, perspective and enjoyment of a story. So how do you

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What is an Unreliable Narrator and How Do You Write One?

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American Psycho Unreliable Narrator
It’s comforting to settle into a story where we can trust the narrator to guide us easily and expertly. The narrator is, after all, the audience’s compass through the story, a framing device on which they can rely heavily. However, not all narrators can be trusted with equal measure. The unreliable narrator can lead the audience down the wrong path either on purpose or by virtue of their personality. But what’s the use of an unreliable narrator in screenwriting? And

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Ruth Langmore – Truly ORIGINAL Characters Series: Part 20

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Ruth Langmore Ozark Original Character
Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Ruth Langmore from Ozark. View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Ruth Langmore?What Makes Ruth Langmore an Original Character?Ruth Langmore and the LangmoresRuth and MartyRuth Langmore and Ben DavisA Compelling and Unique Presence What is an Original Character? It’s a character that sticks with you even when they’re long

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What is a Mary Sue Character And How Do You Avoid Writing One?

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Rey Mary Sue Character
In recent years, there has been a lot of dialogue around who the term Mary Sue can be ascribed to and what constitutes it. But what, fundamentally, is a Mary Sue character? And perhaps more importantly, with it being seen largely as a negative trait for a screenplay, what can be done to avoid it? In this article, we look into the meaning of a Mary Sue character and how you can protect against writing one in your screenplay. So,

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The Viking Movie: 10 Elements to Writing This Powerful Sub Genre

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The Northman Viking Movie
In many ways, the Viking movie is a sub-genre as old as the cinematic form itself. And Vikings have certainly been an integral part of folklore and storytelling for centuries. However, the Viking movie seems to have found new life in recent years. Not only that but Viking tropes find their way into movies and TV shows that have another primary genre, such as the Thor series. So how can you weave Viking elements into a screenplay? What do you

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15 Striking Martin McDonagh Quotes for Writers and Filmmakers

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Martin McDonagh Quotes
He’s one of the most distinctive contemporary writers; someone who entertains and shocks in equal measure. His films are bold, action-packed but most of all, hilarious. In this striking mix, Martin McDonagh is an enigmatic figure. So we’ve pulled 15 amazing Martin McDonagh quotes in order to gain insight into this writer and director’s creative process, outlook on the industry and unique voice. Martin McDonagh – From Stage to Screen Whilst he’s perhaps best known for his work as a

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The Comedy Horror Movie: The KEYS to Both Laughs and Scares

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Write a Comedy Horror Movie
Washington Irving’s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has been cited as “the first great comedy horror story”, as readers were made to “laugh one moment and scream the next”. This is, in essence, what comedy horror movies are all about. We’ve all been in that situation where our friend is describing something awful…and yet our first instinct is to laugh. Is that because we’re horrible people? No! We tried not to laugh, after all. So why do we?

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How Do You Break into the Film Industry? 10 Important Lessons

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Break into the Film Industry
The film industry is infamously hard to break into. This applies whether you’re behind the scenes, in post-production or right in front of the camera. It can be tricky to find that first job to kickstart your career. However, there are ways to gain experience and impress employers – it certainly isn’t easy, but it’s also not impossible. So we’ve put together 10 important lessons for breaking into the film industry. What are the fundamental things you must know in

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The 10 KEY Building Blocks to Writing Revenge Stories

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Kill Bill Revenge Stories
Revenge stories are a popular sub-genre almost guaranteed to satisfy an audience. They’re typically a visceral and cathartic response to injustice and consequently something that elicits easy emotion. We love to follow a journey of change and retribution and revenge stories provide us with these essential elements. Writing revenge – defined as the action of hurting or harming someone in return for an injury or wrongdoing suffered at their hands – can be particularly fun, dark, and, as with writing

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10 VITAL Ways Green, Amateur Writers Can Avoid Amateur Mistakes

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Amateur Writers Bin
Screenwriting can be a maze, especially when you’re first starting out. When learning the ropes, it can be easy to fall into traps which will make you look like an amateur writer; stopping your script from being taken seriously. If you’re green, you may not know all the rules and tricks that professional readers and industry members will know to look out for. This is understandable but it’s also avoidable. So to navigate this tricky road, we’ve put together 10

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The Rewriting Process: 10 Key Steps to Perfecting Your Screenplay

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We’re all perfectionists when it comes to our writing – whether we want to admit it or not. Developing a writing process that works for you is one thing, but nailing the rewriting process is another challenge. If you’re at this stage, the good news is you’ve done the hard part: the act of actually writing something. You’ve been hunched over, staring at your laptop for hours on end, drank perhaps way too much caffeine and definitely reconsidered your career

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What is the Special Girl Trope and How Do You Avoid It?

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Twilight Special Girl
As a screenwriter, a trope can be both your best friend and your enemy. How is a writer meant to stand out when the same plot line has been repeated a million times before? At the same time, a trope is often a trope because it taps into something that audiences want to see. There is perhaps little better example of this than the Special Girl trope. Film constantly influences society; how we think about ourselves and how we view

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15 AWESOME Dan Harmon Quotes for Screenwriters

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Dan Harmon Screenwriting Quotes
He’s one of the most critically acclaimed comedy screenwriters out there, known most famously for Rick and Morty. In general, Dan Harmon is not afraid to break down barriers and deconstruct the norm when it comes to writing. But how does he do it? Well, we’ve put together 15 Dan Harmon quotes to teach screenwriters about his unique approach to writing as well as his tenacious work ethic and attitude to life. Dan Harmon – Beginnings Born and raised in

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The BEST Series Finales and What They Teach About Writing TV

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Sopranos Series Finale
How do you finish writing a TV series? We all know the feeling of being disappointed by a series finale, mourning not only the loss of a treasured show but also an unsatisfying ending. But what about the series finales which leave us with our jaw on the floor (in a good way)? What can these brilliant series finales teach screenwriters about storytelling and about TV writing? We take a look at some of the best examples and analyze what

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What’s SO Good About The Citizen Kane Ending?

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Citizen Kane Ending Scene
Citizen Kane; a classic piece of cinema still studied in film schools throughout the world today. Written by Herman J. Mankiewicz and Orson Welles, it was directed by Orson Welles, who also took the starring role. The 2020 Netflix movie Mank even tells the remarkable story of how the film was created back in 1941. It’s the ending though, in particular, that stands out as one of the most iconic and cited examples of great storytelling in cinema history. But

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Kim Wexler – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 19

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Kim Wexler Original Character
Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul.  View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Kim Wexler?What Makes Kim Wexler an Original Character?Kim Wexler and Jimmy McGill A Perfect On-Screen Relationship Kim Wexler vs Howard HamlinKim’s Past – How Did She Get Here?In Conclusion – Better Call Kim What is an

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What is Circular Storytelling? The KEY Lessons For Story Structure

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Gone Girl Circular Storytelling
Circular storytelling is a structural technique visible in many stories across film, TV, literature and other mediums. But what exactly does the structure entail? And could it be useful to your screenplay? We take a look… Table of ContentsWhat is Narrative Structure?What’s the Point of Circular Storytelling?Circular Storytelling in Other MediumsThe Hero’s JourneyCircular Storytelling in Dan Harmon’s Story CircleCircular Storytelling in SitcomsDetermining the Best Narrative Structure For Your ScreenplayIs Circular Storytelling Right for Your Story? What is Narrative Structure? Everyone

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Writing Act Three: The Conclusion – An ESSENTIAL Breakdown

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Fury Ending - Writing Act Three.
The third act. The end. The stroll off into the sunset or dramatic cliffhanger. Writing your third act is the finishing stretch and, therefore, vitally important in leaving the audience or screenplay reader with a great and lasting impression of your screenplay. This is what you have been building to for the past one or two hours. It doesn’t have to be a happy ending or thrill ride. What it absolutely should do though is satisfy all those questions act

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Forensic Scene Analysis: “I Drink Your Milkshake!”

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Daniel and Eli - There Will Be Blood
“I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!” – Some scenes in film and TV are so memorable they transcend their origin and become part of film culture. In this series, we take a look at what makes those scenes so beloved. We’ll break down why the scene works and what it demonstrates about the screenwriting craft. Understanding what turns a good scene into a great scene is illuminative when writing a screenplay. By looking at the finished product on

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The 22 PIXAR STORYTELLING RULES: Lessons for Screenwriters

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Up Storytelling
Pixar films are some of the most well-crafted stories in cinema history. And so it’s no wonder that there appear to be Pixar storytelling rules that writers and directors of these movies typically follow. In 2011, a Pixar story artist, Emma Coats, wrote and tweeted a list of “Story Rules” she learned while working for Pixar. Note: She has now stated she wishes she had called them “guidelines” instead. The so-called guidelines were essentially a number of tips for writers

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15 David O. Russell Quotes Writers & Filmmakers Can Learn From

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David O. Russell Quotes
He’s one of the most charismatic contemporary American directors; someone who manages to craft intriguing and intimate stories with big stars attached. But what makes David O. Russell tick creatively? We’ve put together 15 fascinating David O. Russell quotes to see what goes into this maverick director’s writing and directing process. David O. Russell – Beginnings Growing up in New York, Russell has said he always had an affinity with filmmaking, falling in love with filmmakers like Martin Scorsese in

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Is The Godfather Opening Scene the Best Opening Scene EVER?

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The Godfather Opening Scene - Bonasera Asking
What do great opening scenes do? They capture the essence of the upcoming story, whether the audience knows it or not. At their best, they lay out the story’s essential driving theme cinematically and grippingly as well as establishing tone, genre and some elements of characterisation. With this in mind, The Godfather opening scene makes a strong case for a perfect opening scene. But what is it exactly that makes this scene such a great opening to the film? And

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5 VITAL Lessons Screenwriters Can Take from Aaron Sorkin Scripts

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Social Network Aaron Sorkin Scripts

Aaron Sorkin is one of the few screenwriters whose name alone can get a film greenlit. And Aaron Sorkin scripts not only make great TV or film blueprints but are …

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What are A, B and C Plots in TV Screenwriting?

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Seinfeld - A B C plots
When we watch a film or TV series, we’re often aware there are multiple storylines running concurrently but take them in as second nature. This is the benefit of TV storytelling after all; the ability to cover many different plots within one cohesive story or world. In the screenwriting process, these overlapping narrative threads are typically referred to as A, B and C plots.   A, B and C plots descend the alphabet by order of importance. So your A

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Ferris Bueller- Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 18

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Ferris Beuller Original Character
Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on a classic movie character; Ferris Bueller from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Ferris Bueller?What Makes Ferris an Original Character?Breaking the Fourth WallFerris’ RelationshipsCameronJeanieSloaneEd RooneyFerris’ ParentsConfidence Versus Arrogance Having a Day OffIn Conclusion What is an Original Character? It’s a

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Writing Act Two: The Conflict – An ESSENTIAL and SIMPLE Breakdown

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Dune
So you’ve finished act one. You’ve got your beginning and you probably have some ideas about your ending, but how do you create your middle? What happens between the end of the first act and the beginning of the third? Well, appropriately enough, writing act two is next on the agenda. Act two is the core of your story. The central, overarching plot and all your character arcs come into play. It’s for these reasons that writing act two is

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What is Magical Realism? The KEY Steps to Using it in Screenwriting

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Birdman Magical Realism
Table of ContentsWhat is Magical Realism?The History of Magical RealismOriginsMagical Realism in LiteratureMagical Realism in FilmFantasy Versus Magical Realism Three Key Elements of a Magical Realism Film1. The Real-World Setting How Does the Setting Reflect the Story and its Themes?2. Mythology, Folklore and or Historical Influence How Do Myths and Folktales Inform Magical Realism?3. Underlying Social or Political CommentaryHow Does the Underlying Social and Political Commentary Impact Films?The Six Key Steps to Writing the Magical Realism Genre1. Read and Research Current

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What Does a Script Coordinator Do? The BEST & SIMPLEST Breakdown

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Script Co-Ordinator Seinfeld
When we think about screenwriting we tend to think about the writer behind the work we eventually see on the screen. But what about all of the other important jobs we don’t see that help the script become successful? A lot of work goes on behind the scenes. And for burgeoning writers, it can be easy to lose sight of the hard graft that goes on to make films and TV shows come to life. One of these crucial job

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15 Great Taika Waititi Quotes for Writers & Filmmakers

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taika waititi quotes
He’s one of the biggest contemporary Hollywood directors. And his wit and charisma stand him out from the crowd. It’s easy to forget though that there is some serious craft behind this personality. And by collecting these 15 inspiring Taika Waititi quotes, we can learn from the writer/director’s unique (and hilarious!) perspective on filmmaking, screenwriting and life. But first, a little background… Humble Beginnings The son of an artist and school teacher, Taika Waititi grew up in Wellington, New Zealand.

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How Do You Write a Zombie Movie That’s ACTUALLY Original?

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While movie trends come and go, there are some genres screenwriters will return to time and time again. The zombie movie is one of those; a trope that isn’t likely to die out any time soon. Like vampires, zombies inspire emotions of both fear and fascination. It is far easier to kill off a human character than a creature that cannot die because it is already dead. In short, they are unpredictable, difficult to defeat and consequently provide opportunities for

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What is a Showrunner and What EXACTLY Do They Do?

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Showrunner
Being a showrunner is one of the most unique and important jobs in contemporary television. The position is a combination of creativity, consistency and managerial responsibility. They’re the behind-the-scenes masters and the ones that make everything happen. But what exactly does the showrunner’s job entail? We take a look… Table of ContentsWhat is a Showrunner?What are a Showrunner’s Responsibilities?Showrunners vs Producers vs DirectorsHow Do You Become a Showrunner?1. Writing2. Writers’ Room3. Some Production ExperienceExamples of Famous ShowrunnersIn Summary What is

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Writing Act One: The Setup – An ESSENTIAL and SIMPLE Breakdown

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Baby Driver Opening Scene
So you’ve prepared your story idea and want to put pen to paper. But where to start? No matter if you’re preparing to write the beat sheet or redrafting a finished product it’s always worth putting extra care into your first act. While it might not be as exciting as the brilliantly executed plot twist at the end of act two or the satisfying, tear-jerking ending, act one is a vital opportunity for your screenplay to start as it means

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How to Write an Anthology Series & The BEST Anthology Series Examples

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Black Mirror Anthology Series
The wide variety of anthology series that have emerged in contemporary TV can be attributed in part to the success of series such as Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone. And despite the competition, new anthology series’ frequently find success. But how? There isn’t a secret formula to a great anthology production. The greatest advantage is, in fact, an understanding of the format and its potential. So let’s take a look at what it takes to write an anthology series

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Rue From Euphoria – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 17

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Rue From Euphoria
Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Rue from Euphoria. View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Rue From Euphoria?What Makes Rue From Euphoria an Original Character?Rue From Euphoria: A Multi-Dimensional CharacterSeason OneSeason TwoFirst-Person Narration Mise-en-scèneRue Bennett’s RelationshipsJules Vaughn and Rue BennettGia Bennett and Rue BennettLexi Howard and Rue BennettFezco “Fez” and Rue BennettRue From Euphoria: A Reflection

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6 KEY Ways to Adapt a Short Story & the Best Short Story Adaptations

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Arrival Short Story Adaptation

Short stories can seem like unlikely source material for some of the best and most compelling feature films. They may be limited in their length but often it’s the confines …

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What Does a Pro Screenwriting Assignment REALLY Look Like?

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Screenwriting Assignment

Whether you’re an emerging screenwriter just starting on a new path or a well-developed professional you may be wondering what a pro typical screenwriting assignment looks like. All levels of …

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15 Brilliant Robert Eggers Quotes on Storytelling and Filmmaking

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Robert Eggers Quotes
After the success of The Lighthouse, it was no surprise to see Robert Eggers helm a blockbuster, particularly one with such a talented cast. With The Northman, Eggers announced himself as a visionary director who could exist outside indie-arthouse film. In light of this, we’ve collected 15 of the most interesting Robert Eggers quotes for a closer perspective on his directorial style and approach to storytelling in general. Robert Eggers – From Stage to Screen Born in New Hampshire in

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How Do You Find a Writing Partner? 10 KEY Tips for Writing Partnerships

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Writing Partner
In ordinary discourse, the term partnership tends to be a simple synonym for cooperation. However, finding a writing partner refers more precisely to the mastery of creativity, talent, and experience in the same medium. The question then arises of successful writing partnerships and their characteristics: Does cooperation open up possibilities for better writing? How can we find the “right” writing partner? In this article, we’ll take a look at the key elements that make up a great writing partnership. Table

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How Do You Write a Screenplay Prologue? Dodge These Key Pitfalls

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The Dark Knight Prologue
A prologue can be used to introduce the audience to the characters, tone and theme of your screenplay. It should plummet them into the story from the start as you set the scene. But are prologues necessary? And what are the pros and cons to having one in your screenplay? In this article, we will look at examples of prologues in TV and film, and the key elements of writing an effective prologue. Table of ContentsWhat is a Prologue? How

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Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 16

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Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers. View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?What Makes Tina Belcher Original?Tina Belcher’s Love LifeTina’s Family RelationshipsRainbows and Erotic FictionTina Belcher – Personality Through Musicality The Lasting Impact of Tina Belcher What is an Original Character? It’s a character that sticks with

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How Do You Write BRILLIANT and ALTERNATIVE Teen Drama?

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Stranger Things - Teen Drama
Teen drama is one of the most enduring genres to have graced TV screens since its inception. We’ve all been teenagers at some point. And the heartbreak, emotions, journeys, discoveries, and drama that comes with being a teenager typically makes for highly engaging stories. As a screenwriter, you may be thinking that a teen drama is a perfect way to capture audiences. But how do you write teen drama? Moreover, how do you write teen drama that is alternative or

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15 Fascinating Alex Garland Quotes for Writers and Filmmakers

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Ex Machina Alex Garland Quotes
From merciless zombies to a beautiful hidden beach in Thailand, Alex Garland has written many cult and classic films in a range of different spaces and genres. Not only is Garland’s creativity portrayed through his writing, but through his directing as well. He’s not often seen in the limelight, so getting an insight into his innovative mind through his interviews and quotes is precious. And it’s in this spirit that we’ve gathered 15 Alex Garland quotes to inspire writers and

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How Do You Best Convey the Passage of Time in Your Screenplay?

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Passage of Time Metropolis
It’s rare that you would find a script without any significant passage of time whatsoever. It’s often a vital part of how a script develops and keeps its audience engaged. Thus, it is important to consider the different ways in which you can portray the changing of time. In this article, we will explore the different ways in which you can incorporate and utilize the passage of time in your screenplay. This is both in terms of format and content.

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How Do You Write Highly Realistic Dialogue? The 10 KEY Steps…

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The Master Realistic Dialogue
One of the biggest humps to get over when writing for film or television is dialogue. Even if you have a perfect story, outline, and characters, bad dialogue can bring the whole operation down. 99% of the time, what you need is to have realistic dialogue. Of course, not every project needs realistic dialogue all the time (see: The Grand Budapest Hotel). But unless your premise and tone align along wacky lines or you have a specific stylistic remit, it’s

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How to Effectively Weave Character Backstory into Your Screenplay

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The Godfather Character Backstory
So, you made it through one of the hardest parts of writing a screenplay; you created your characters. From childhood trauma to adulthood adventures, you’ve fleshed out your entire character backstory. You should be excited to move forward. Any main character of any compelling story has to have a backstory to match. And anytime you write a character whose story deserves to be told, it’s important for the audience to know your character’s entire history so they love your character

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15 Matt Reeves Quotes to INSPIRE Writers and Filmmakers

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Matt Reeves Quotes

He’s emerged as one of the most striking directors of the 21st century. Quietly he’s helmed some of the biggest hits of the 2010s and 2020s, managing to infuse big …

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