Film

Articles focussing heavily on Film.

Writing a Satisfying Story Ending: The COMPLETE Guide

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The Godfather Story Ending
Table of ContentsStory Ending: The Most Important Part of Your ScreenplayKnow Your Story Ending Before You Start WritingFinding a Story Ending That Fits Your ScreenplaySetting Up the Climax of Your Story Ending1) Up the Stakes2) Prove How Far Your Character Has Come3) Renew the Attack Upon Your Character’s New ParadigmThe Ultimate Choice Between Want and Need The Climactic MomentToy StoryStar Wars: Revenge of the SithThe Character’s New World BeginsThe Story Ending Answers the Thematic Question The Power of the Final Image In

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Writing Stage Directions in a Screenplay: The ULTIMATE Lowdown

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Crafting good quality stage directions can often be one of the trickiest parts of writing a screenplay. The directions need to be clear and concise but also need to engage the reader. With a number of do’s and don’ts, we’re providing the lowdown on writing stage directions in a screenplay. Table of ContentsStage Directions: An IntroHow To: Format Language and Style used in Stage DirectionsWriting Evocative Stage DirectionsWriting About Characters in Stage DirectionsStage Directions in a Spec Script vs a

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What Goes into the Writing of a Documentary Script?

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Documentary Script Filming
Table of ContentsWhat is a Documentary Script?Finding The Story for a Documentary Minding The GapResearchingThe ProcessPlanning a Documentary ScriptStructuring a Documentary ScriptThe Flexibility of Writing a Documentary ScriptHoneylandIn Summary What is a Documentary Script? Documentary filmmaking is a non-fiction form of storytelling that depicts reality. The purpose behind the film could be to educate, inform or simply to document. The realistic and off-the-cuff style of documentaries may have writers questioning, what exactly goes into writing a documentary script? The process

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Dream Sequences: How to Craft Them While Avoiding Common Pitfalls

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Eternal Sunshine Dream Sequence
Table of ContentsDream Sequences: Avoiding the Lazy Screenwriter’s CrutchTreading the Line Between Surreal and Reality in Dream SequencesApply Consistency and Logic to the Chaos Dream Sequences That Create SubjectivityInceptionEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindAllow the Dream to Influence Your Characters and Their ArcsThree Ways Dreams Can Compel Your Character1. The Realization Dream2. The Inner Conflict Dream3. The Premonition DreamMake the Dream Ask a QuestionBlack PantherDream Sequences as Part of the Story StructureSpot the DifferenceIn Summary Dream Sequences: Avoiding the Lazy

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Writing Tension in Screenplays: Learn from 10 NAIL-BITING Scenes

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Writing Tension, Mission Impossible
Table of ContentsWriting Tension: The Difference Between Shock and Suspense 1. The Farmhouse Interrogation (Inglorious Bastards) Instability to Create TensionDramatic Irony to Create Tension2. The T-Rex Escapes (Jurassic Park)3. Buffalo Bill’s Basement (The Silence of the Lambs) 4. The Underwater Heist (Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation) Heightening the Stakes 5. Battle of the Bastards (Game of Thrones)6. The Coin Flip (No Country for Old Men) Applying Pressure with the Antagonist 7. The Ferry Climax (The Dark Knight) The Rules of the

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Reboots: RIGHTS and WRONGS of Writing a Reboot

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Spiderman Reboots
Table of ContentsWhat is a Reboot?Reboots Vs. RemakesWriting a RebootWhere Reboots Go Right: The Best RebootsJumanji: Welcome to the JungleBatman BeginsRise of the Planet of the ApesWhere Reboots Go Wrong: The Worst RebootsTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesMen in Black: International Fantastic FourThe Future of RebootsIn Summary What is a Reboot? In the realm of movie-making, a reboot is a reimagining of an existing franchise that rebrands or restarts the established fictional world. The most notable franchises that are known for their

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10 Filmmakers That Show HOW a Filmmaker Can BEST Tackle a Script

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Steven Spielberg, Filmmakers
Table of ContentsHow Do Filmmakers Approach a Script?Steven Spielberg: Getting PersonalJane Campion: Creating Female Stories from the SourceKenneth Lonergan: That Which Is Left UnsaidDee Rees: Character is KeyCéline Sciamma: Balancing DesiresPaul Thomas Anderson: Visual EmotionsRyan Coogler: The Power of Intention and VoiceAlfred Hitchcock: Less Talk, More ActionDavid Fincher: Following CharactersIn Conclusion How Do Filmmakers Approach a Script? The screenplay is the spine of the movie. But the way it is interpreted for the screen is the key to turning a

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Dual Protagonists: How to Handle TWO Lead Characters in Your Screenplay

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The Prestige - Dual Protagonists
Table of ContentsDual Protagonists: Breaking the MouldThe Function of a ProtagonistEmpathy for Your ProtagonistThe Dual ProtagonistsThe Three Plot LinesCompeting for a Shared GoalThe DepartedThe Inner + Outer JourneysThe Shawshank RedemptionA Unifying ThemeChallenging Their BeliefsThe PrestigeRobert Angier and Alfred BordenThe Structure of Dual Protagonists Tandem NarrativesFlashback Forms In Summary Dual Protagonists: Breaking the Mould There is no law in screenwriting that dictates you must only have one protagonist, or main character, in your screenplay. Granted, most writers choose to dedicate their

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Creating Characters That Leap Off The Page: What Are The 15 VITAL Steps?

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Walter White Creating Characters
Table of ContentsCreating Characters: A Daunting Process1. Determine Your Character’s Role in the Story2. Get to Know your Character from the Inside outA Character’s Life: Interior and Exterior 3. Establish your Character’s Individual Point of ViewCharacters’ Points of View in Jurassic Park4. Each Character Must Have an Attitude5. The Lie the Character Believes6. Your Character’s Ghost7. Determine What Your Character Wants8. Determine What Your Character Needs9. Something has to Stand in their Way10. Make Your Characters Take Action11. The Tactics

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Visual Storytelling: What Does it REALLY Mean, in Screenwriting terms?

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Wall-E Visual Storytelling
Table of ContentsWhat Is Visual Storytelling?Now Consider, Which Scene Would Be More Engaging For An Audience to Watch? How Does Visual Storytelling Work In Screenplays?How Does This Up Scene Work?Why Is Visual Storytelling So Important?1. Titanic2. Wall-E3. PsychoWhat Do These Scenes Have In Common Though?How To Approach Visual Storytelling?1. An Opener2. Chains of Dialogue 3. SettingIn Summary What Is Visual Storytelling? By definition, visual storytelling is a story told through a visual medium. This can include anything from photography, video

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Film Networking: An Unavoidable Skill You Have No Choice But To Master

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film networking
“It’s all about who you know”. Anyone remotely connected to the film industry has heard that phrase. And they’ll often approach the whole subject of film networking, of making contacts, of all the hustle that’s totally separate from putting ink on paper or film in the can, with serious trepidation. After all, unfortunately, if you are starting with fewer existing connections in the film industry, you have to work much harder to get where you want to go. But let’s

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Genre Mashup: 10 Vital Steps to Nailing a Mix of Genres in Your Screenplay

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Brazil Genre Mashup
Genre mashups, also known as cross-genres or hybrid genres, are commonly found in many art forms – film, music or literature. It’s when an artist combines two or more genres in which elements from each are blended into a cohesive piece. Star Wars, Parasite, The Blues Brothers, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, 13 Going on 30. What do these very different movies have in common? They’re all genre mashups. From romantic comedies to sci-fi adventure, the technique of combining genres has

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Antagonist Examples: 15 of the BEST Formidable Foes from Film & TV

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Erik Killmonger, Antagonists Examples
In screenwriting terms, the antagonist of a story is arguably as important as the protagonist. In the very simplest terms, if your protagonist is the hero, then the antagonist is the villain… Table of ContentsWhat is an Antagonist?15 Fantastic Antagonist ExamplesAntagonist Example 1: Tracy Flick 2: Erik Killmonger3: Terence Fletcher4: John Fitzgerald + Nature5: King George VI’s Stammer6: Travis Bickle + Society7: The Joker8: Violence + Anton Chigurh 9: Reality TV + Christof10: Tyler Durden11: Infertility (Dystopia)12: The Shark13: Ava

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Film Festival Strategy 101: The KEY Steps for a New Filmmaker

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Film Festival Screen New Filmmaker
So you’ve made a film and you want more people than just your friends and family to see it. Well, film festivals are a great way to get your project exposure, and to introduce you as a new filmmaker to others in the field. Film festivals often play an important part of the folklore of how new filmmakers get their big break or how a film is introduced to the world. But it’s important to not get too swept up

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Writing the Tragic Romance: 7 Essential Elements to Breaking Hearts

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Tragic Romance The Notebook
Heartbreak is the key feature of a tragic romance.  The central love story ends in heartbreak and, as a result, audiences walk away from the film feeling heartbroken. Most people still remember the utter anguish they felt after watching The Notebook or Titanic for the first time.  For a tragic romance film to be effective, viewers must form an emotional attachment to the main characters and their relationship. Once audiences are fully invested, tragedy strikes and the film delivers its

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Fight Scenes That Kick A*s: 15 Examples of a Superbly Written Fight Scene

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When you think of a fight scene, what film first comes to mind? Maybe you think of Stallone’s knock out punch in Rocky? Or perhaps you picture Keanu Reeves swerving slow-motion bullets in The Matrix? Whether you’re a fan of highly choreographed martial art movies, or super polished CGI superhero battles: as a screenwriter it is always useful to have a set of ground rules on how to write a good fight scene. No matter what type of fight scene

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Mockumentary Scripts: The Keys to Writing a Great Mockumentary

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The Office Mockumentary Script
A mockumentary is a satirical film or television show that combines documentary-style filmmaking with fictional subject matter. But although mockumentaries feature fictional events, they differ greatly from traditional narratives. And this can manifest in a mockumentary script.   Improvisation is often a major aspect of the mockumentary. In this case, the dialogue is secondary to the topic and characters. For example, the Christopher Guest classic THIS IS SPINAL TAP is based on a four-page script and a character bible, meaning it

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What Makes a Great Monologue? 10 Great Monologues Screenwriters Can Learn From

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Wolf of Wall Street- Great Monologue
In film and TV, great monologues have the power to hit an audience more than any other moment in a story. They can be gut-wrenching emotional confessions, pivotal moments of characterisation or grand thematic statements. Audiences remember monologues for these reasons. And great monologues are ones that condense and encapsulate a key part of a story. In this article we’ll look at: What is a Monologue? How Long is a Monologue?How Do You Write a Monologue?What Makes a Great Monologue?10

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How to Write an Animated Film: 6 Vital Steps to Scripting Animation

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Inside Out Animated Film Script
Have you always had an affinity for animation? Do you have a story idea that you think would be perfect for an animated film? Are you simply finding that your live-action project can’t move forward, and want to see if it could be a match for animation?Animation is incredible in that it isn’t just another genre of film (in fact, it really shouldn’t be considered a film genre at all) but it is an entirely different medium through which to

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The Different Types of External Conflict & 10 Great External Conflict Examples

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Jaws - External Conflict Example
External conflict is an essential part of screenwriting in that it’s essential in driving any plot. It is different to internal conflict in that whilst internal conflict is within the characters, external is outside of the character. In this article we’ll seek to define what external conflict is as well as provide some brilliant external conflict examples. We’ll look at: What is External Conflict? What are the Different Types of External Conflict? Which are the Best Examples of External Conflict?

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How to Write a Modern Western: The New Wild West

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Logan Modern Western
The Western was one of the earliest cinematic genres and it has had a number of resurgences and reinventions over the last one hundred years. It’s a genre that through its popularity has continued to grow. But what does a modern Western look like? Contemporary Westerns are typically genre hybrids. In this article we will use five different films that combine genres to form modern Western films. No Country For Old Men is a modern Western crime thriller.Hell or High

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Writing Dialogue Expertly: Learn from These Great Dialogue Examples

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Marriage Story Writing Dialogue, Best Dialogue
It’s no question that one of the most powerful elements in a story is dialogue. In film, dialogue builds the overall tone of the movie, establishes the relationships between characters and subtly reveals the main thematic messages to the audience. Thus, writing dialogue effectively is a critical part of succeeding as any kind of writer. In this article we’ll examine: What is the Meaning of Dialogue? What is Great Dialogue? The Evolution of Dialogue. 10 Examples of Great Dialogue (2010-20) Different

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How to Write a True Crime Movie: The 12 Key Elements to a True Crime Story

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Wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belfort True Crime Story
How to Write a True Crime Movie: Working with a True Crime Story The phrase “Based on a true story” is one guaranteed to make any moviegoer perk up in their seat, before the title credits have even started rolling. There is something about their promise of truth (or some portion of it) that functions as a snare for the audience of a true crime movie. Evidently, this notion has continued to persist, as we have seen the popularity of

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How Do You Write a Cliffhanger? The 8 Steps to REALLY Hooking An Audience

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Infinity War - Cliffhanger
This article will explore the cliffhanger, as a screenwriting mechanism, and how best to deploy it in your screenplay. We’ll examine the following: What is a Cliffhanger? What Effect Does a Cliffhanger Have? Why Use One. What is an Example of a Cliffhanger? What Films and TV series feature Cliffhangers?And How Do You Write a Good Cliffhanger? The 10 Essential Steps. What Is A Cliffhanger? “A cliffhanger is a type of narrative or a plot device in which the end is curiously abrupt, so

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The 10 Key Elements to Writing a Courtroom Drama

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Just Mercy, Courtroom Drama
The courtroom drama, also known as the legal drama, is a long-standing staple in entertainment. This noteworthy genre of film has generated such timeless classics as To Kill a Mockingbird and 12 Angry Men, proving itself to be a endlessly relevant fixture within the cinematic landscape. In this article we’re going to look at: What is a Courtroom Drama? The Origins of the Courtroom Drama. What Are Examples of Courtroom Drama? And the 10 Essential Elements to Include in a Courtroom Drama.

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15 Illuminating Charlie Kaufman Quotes for Writers and Filmmakers

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Charlie Kaufman Quotes
Charlie Kaufman is a name that commands widespread respect, from his industry peers, to critics and cinephiles. Charlie Kaufman quotes, whether embedded in his written dialogue or interviews, are sure to inspire anyone looking to break into screenwriting or filmmaking. However, Kaufman’s body of work is like a set menu at an upscale restaurant: concise but exceptional, cancelling out quantity with phenomenal quality. It is perhaps Kaufman’s astute observations of the human psyche that have resonated so strongly with all

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What is Chekhov’s Gun? 5 Ways to Skilfully Use One in Your Screenplay

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Shawkshank Redemption Chekov's Gun Rita Hayworth
Chekhov’s gun is a term that – in its simplest form – bestows purpose upon any object, character or situation within a narrative, on which the writer explicitly chooses to place emphasis.    This article will explore the following: What is the Principle of Chekhov’s Gun? How Do You Use Chekhov’s Gun? Chekhov’s Gun in Film. Chekhov’s Gun in TV. How to Setup and Payoff Chekhov’s Gun Effectively. How to Reimagine and Blur Chekhov’s Gun. Anton Chekov What is the

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10 Amazing Opening Scenes & What Screenwriters Can Learn From Them

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Ladybird Opening Scene
A first impression counts. We all know that. And in screenwriting it’s no different. Your screenplay’s opening scene is vital. Screenplay readers will often tell you that the first ten pages of a screenplay is key to their overall impression or even to whether or not they will continue reading. But your opening scene is not only vital in making an impression, it can be a crucial way of efficiently and concisely introducing your characters, world and themes. The best

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Looking to the Future: How Video Game Logic Can Enhance Your Screenplay

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Source Code - Video Game Logic
This article will delve into the dynamic world of video games and video game logic. Many video games have been translated on-screen into video game movies, and the line between the two is blurring all the time. But there’s also a style to them that can be applied to other genres, a so called video game logic. The Key Aspects Of This Article Are: Films which look like video games and adopt video game tendencies.Video games which have been adapted

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How to Write a Film Noir: Utilising the 8 Essential Pillars of Film Noir

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Film Noir - Double Indemnity
This article will delve into what film noir is and its common tropes. We’ll offer pointers on how to write a film noir that both honours the traditions of the genre and puts a contemporary spin on the genre. Wikipedia defines film noir as… “a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations” What Is Film Noir? It quite literally translates to ‘dark film’ in French. There is often a debate

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How To Write a Captivating Love Triangle: The ULTIMATE Guide

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Hunger Games Love Triangle
How To Write a Love Triangle This article will offer some key pointers on that most time-trodden (and wildly successful) cinematic device – the love triangle – and hopefully assist those looking to craft an original and effective one. Using a few films which incorporate love triangles into their narratives, we will discuss the key aspects to a successful and interesting love triangle.We will highlight how love triangles are typically a plot device for romance films. Many of these are romantic-comedies,

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