Opinion

Opinion based articles.

The Best Script Writing Programs for Aspiring Screenwriters

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the best script writing programs
When you decide to dive into screenwriting, choosing the right script writing software is key to transforming your ideas into polished screenplays. The best script writing programs not only help with proper formatting but also provide tools for developing compelling characters, structuring your story, and organizing your screenplay. Whether you are writing your first script or working on a short film, the software you use can significantly influence your creative process. In this article, we will dive into the top

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The 50 Most Complex Female Characters in Movies

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Truly complex female characters in movies have, historically, often been conspicuous by their absence. Women are often underrepresented in roles compared with men and, whilst male characters take the lead, female characters are sidelined. Many writers still rely on outdated stereotypes as female characters often serve primarily as the romantic interest for the male protagonist, with their own development taking a backseat. However, more recently, there have been notable strides in improving women’s representation in movies and a break away

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Existential Cinema: How Do You Write an Existential Film?

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For the most part, cinema is a form of entertainment. But this is not to say that films cannot and should not concern themselves with some of the more serious aspects of life. It doesn’t get much more serious than existentialism. And an existential film, whilst often tricky to define, can be one of the most powerful ways to get an audience to muse on themes of life, death and existence. So how do you begin to filter such a

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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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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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Do You Still Need to Move to LA as a Screenwriter?

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Move to LA Hollywood
When any person says their dream is to become a screenwriter, a comment you’ll often hear is “you should move to LA first”. Getting advice about how to start as a screenwriter from a professional in the industry?…“you should move to LA”. Telling a random stranger on the street that you want to be a screenwriter?…“you should move to LA”. Want to be a screenwriter with zero experience?…“you should move to LA first”.  This isn’t particularly useful advice for screenwriters

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20 Terrific Ricky Gervais Quotes to INSPIRE Writers and Filmmakers

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Ricky Gervais Quotes
Comedy writer, director and actor Ricky Gervais has been bracing our screens since the early 2000s. Often outspoken and straight-talking, Gervais has conquered the comedy genre with his broad array of work. He’s also known, however, for his forthright, often controversial comments, particularly on the Golden Globes stage. But this forthrightness also makes his words insightful and unique. So we’ve compiled 20 Ricky Gervais quotes to inspire writers and filmmakers. Ricky Gervais – The Long and Winding Road Much of

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What is Method Writing? Meaningless Buzzword or Useful Tool?

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Barton Fink Method Writing
The market for stories has a wealth of new entrants every year. This is of little help to most writers who do not need any further reminders that they are in a tough industry. New approaches to writing, however, could be helpful to some writers seeking to stand out in such a competitive field or to break through writer’s block. And one approach that has gathered momentum in recent times is “method writing”. Table of ContentsIntroduction: What is Method Writing?Employing

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Tyler Durden – ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 9

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Tyler Durden 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 Tyler Durden from Fight Club. Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character? Who is Tyler Durden? What Makes Tyler Durden Original? Multi-Dimensional CharacterTyler’s PurposeTyler’s InfluenceAn Anti-Hero’s JourneyTyler Durden & Masculinity In Conclusion What is an Original Character? It’s a character that sticks with you even when they’re long gone from your screens. It’s a character that serves as

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Honestly, Should You Do a Screenwriting Degree? 10 PROS and 10 CONS

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Screenwriting Degree
More and more colleges and universities are offering academic pathways for screenwriters. This means a screenwriting degree is definitely something aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters will naturally consider at some point. It could be a master’s or a bachelor’s, a major, or a minor. Regardless, a screenwriting degree comes with its own set of opportunities and obstacles. When it comes to attending medical school, a prospective doctor has no say in the matter if they plan on getting a job. Lawyers

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OPINION: Lessons For Screenwriters From Films About Writers

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Adaptation - films about writers

Films about writers, more than films about any other profession, can lay claim to accuracy. After all, who better to understand how writers think and feel than writers themselves? The …

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Why You Should Never “Spray & Pray” In Screenplay Contests

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screenwriting contest screenwriting contests
One common feature of professional screenwriters’ stories is that there is no single magic route into the industry. Everyone’s path is different. Entering screenplay contests, or entering a whole host of contests all at once, might seem like an attractive shortcut. Entering screenwriting contests feels like progress is being made, like forward momentum IS occurring. All you have to do, or so the contest in question might suggest, is pay the entry fee, send your script in, and wait for

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OPINION: Writing a character sacrifice that works

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character sacrifice in Wrath of Khan

A character sacrifice is a difficult moment to get right. Audiences today are incredibly cine-literate. They’ve seen it all before, and can tell when a film or TV show has used …

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