How Do You Write a Screenplay Prologue? Dodge These Key Pitfalls
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 …
TV
Articles focussing heavily on TV.
Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 16
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 …
How Do You Write BRILLIANT and ALTERNATIVE 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, …
How Do You Best Convey the Passage of Time in Your Screenplay?
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. …
How Do You Write Highly Realistic Dialogue? The 10 KEY Steps…
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 …
Shiv Roy – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 15
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 Shiv Roy …
The Insider Interviews – GLADIATOR Screenwriter William Nicholson
This latest iteration of our long-running Insider Interviews series is with William Nicholson, the prolific screenwriter behind such hits as Gladiator, Shadowlands, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Breathe, amongst many …
Michael Scott – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 14
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 Michael Scott …
20 INSPIRING Shonda Rhimes Quotes for TV and Film Writers
Since the early 2000s, Shonda Rhimes has been producing amazing, hit TV. But in recent years, she’s cemented herself as probably the most prolific and successful TV producer of the …
What is the Definition of CINEMATIC, in Screenwriting Terms?
We’ve all heard the term “cinematic”. Film reviews, job offerings, script feedback, award acceptance speeches. Many people in the industry use this term, some of them quite lightly. But what …
An Interview with 2021 TITAN Awards Winner Jared Ruga
About The TITAN Awards The TITAN Awards is a prestigious global screenwriting contest whereby material competes against its own kind for as long as possible over the course of a contest cycle. Horror feature vs …
The ESSENTIAL Ways to Craft a Brilliant TV Show Idea
Crafting a TV Show Idea How does one craft a brilliant TV show idea? First, it’s important to understand what exactly that means. Longevity of story is foremost what separates …
How To Write an Active Protagonist (and Avoid a Passive Protagonist)
What is an Active Protagonist? An active protagonist is a main character who is not merely affected by the world around them, but affects that world too. Their actions, both …
20 Terrific Ricky Gervais Quotes to INSPIRE Writers and Filmmakers
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 …
Saul Goodman – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 13
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 Saul Goodman …
The Essential Elements of Writing a Fish Out of Water Story
What is a Fish Out of Water Story? A ‘fish out of water’ story is the idiom referring to a character who is removed from their daily lives and forced …
20 Donald Glover Quotes to Inspire Writers and Creatives
How does Donald Glover manage it? The screenwriter, director, actor, rapper, producer and comedian has a jammed packed awards cabinet and track record of amazing work across many different forms. …
The 10 Best TED Talks For Screenwriters and What They Teach
There are many TED talks out there for writers, screenwriters and storytellers. In this article, we’ll focus on 10 of the most relevant and best talks for screenwriters and writers …
20 Wise and Hilarious Tina Fey Quotes to INSPIRE
An American comedy icon, Tina Fey not only defines an era of Saturday Night Live but created the critically acclaimed comedy shows 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Her success, …
Kendall Roy – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 12
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 Kendall Roy from Succession. What is an Original Character? …
How to Write the Perfect TV Show Bible: The ULTIMATE Guide (with Examples)
What is a TV Show Bible? A TV Show Bible is a reference document created by screenwriters to help them pitch their TV series. Typically 5 – 20 pages but …
How to Write an AWESOME Movie Pitch or TV Pitch: The 10 KEY Steps
A movie pitch is one of the most important pieces of writing a screenwriter has to master in order to sell a screenplay and build a successful career. It can …
Daryl Dixon – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 11
Welcome to Industrial Scripts’ Truly Original Characters series, an ongoing sequence of articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article focusses on Daryl …
What Does a Story Editor Do? The ESSENTIAL Breakdown
A lot of work goes on behind the scenes of all your favorite movies and TV shows. From designing sets and creating costumes, bringing what is on the page to …
Deus Ex Machina: How to USE and/or AVOID in Screenwriting
What is a Deus ex machina? It sounds like something technological and complex. But it’s actually quite simple. Well, have you ever just been watching a film totally invested, your …
Beth Harmon – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 10
Welcome to Industrial Scripts’ Truly Original Characters series, an ongoing sequence of articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article focusses on Beth Harmon from The Queen’s Gambit. …
What is a Bottle Episode? The KEY to Writing a Self-Contained Script
Most TV series, whether comedy or drama, have a bottle episode at some point. And they can often take pride of place in the series’ history. They can serve as …
What Can a Table Read / Read Through Do For Your Screenplay?
A table read is one of the most important steps in the production process for any feature film or TV series. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your screenplay, …
Forensic Scene Analysis: Breaking Bad’s ‘I Am the One Who Knocks’
In this series, we’ll take a look at great, well-known scenes from films and TV. We’ll analyse these scenes to figure out what makes them work so well, what they add …
How To Write Great Dramedy: The KEY Elements of a Dramedy Script
Genre mashups, also known as genre hybrids, are a tricky business to get right. The balance between the genres will need to be spot on for it to be successful. …
How to BEGIN Writing a Fantasy Script: 7 Great Ways into the Fantasy Genre
At some point, we have all delved into the fantasy genre, whether that is through books, TV shows or movies. It’s a genre with a wealth of scope, opportunities and …
Eleven from STRANGER THINGS – Original Characters Series: Part 8
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 Eleven from Stranger Things. What is an Original Character? …
The Insider Interviews – with BREAKING BAD Producer Karen Moore
This latest iteration of our Insider Interviews Series is with producer Karen Moore, one of the three judges of Industrial Scripts’ inaugural screenwriting contest, The TITAN Awards. Karen Moore Biography Karen …
Forensic Scene Analysis: ‘The Red Wedding’
Understanding what makes great scenes really great is very useful when writing a screenplay. It gives you the tools and knowledge to write your own. In this article we are …
The TITAN Awards Launches (PR)
Press Release 03/03/21 Industrial Scripts launches The TITAN Screenwriting Prize The inaugural year of the annual screenwriting prize opens for submissions from writers and filmmakers globally, judged by a triumvirate …
The Cold Open: Starting Your Screenplay With a Bang
Whether you write for film or TV, a cold open can provide a vital and dynamic way into your screenplay. They say that in the business, nobody will read past …
Fact and Fiction: How to Handle THE TRUTH as a Screenwriter
Oftentimes, a film based in reality will include a handful of fabricated details and interactions. Many people dedicate themselves to pointing out instances where true stories deviate from the truth. …
Writing The Unlikeable Protagonist: How to Craft a Great Antihero
The Role of the Unlikeable Protagonist ‘Unlikeable protagonist’ sounds like an oxymoron. However, they’re a common occurrence in all forms of storytelling. The antihero protagonist is an increasingly prominent presence …
Writing Stage Directions in a Screenplay: The ULTIMATE Lowdown
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 Insider Interviews – Steve Matthews (HBO Europe)
This latest iteration of our Insider Interviews Series is with Steve Matthews, currently VP Executive Producer for Drama Development at HBO Europe. Steve has had a wide-ranging career since getting started in …
Political Thrillers vs Political Dramas: What Are the KEY Differences?
While shows such as The Crown and House of Cards have been recent hits, political thrillers and political dramas have been around since the dawn of storytelling. After all, Shakespeare …
Creating Characters That Leap Off The Page: What Are The 15 VITAL Steps?
Creating Characters: A Daunting Process When writing a screenplay, the process of creating characters can be so arduous yet so enlightening, so varied yet at the same time so individually …
10 Superb TV Pilot Examples and The Keys to Writing a Great TV Pilot
What Makes a Great TV Pilot? Understanding the importance, function and objective of a TV pilot are the first steps to writing a great one. The difference between a failed …
Multi-Camera Scripts: How Do They Differ From Other Scripts in Content and Style?
The Multi-Camera Sitcom Since coming to the fore in the 1960s, the multi-camera situational comedy, or sitcom, has proven itself a genre that has been able to continually reinvent itself, …
Barry Berkman – ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 6
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 Barry Berkman from Barry. What is an …
Mockumentary Scripts: The Keys to Writing a Great Mockumentary
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 …
ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part Five – Walter White
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 Walter White from Breaking Bad. What is …
Shonda Rhimes Masterclass Review: Is It Worth It?
Our scores in this in-depth Shonda Rhimes MasterClass review: Lessons – 7/10 Workbook – 9/10 Community -7/10 Value – 8/10 Overall Verdict – Thumbs Up! Pros of the Shonda Rhimes …
ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 4 – Cersei Lannister
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 Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones. What …
How Do You Write a Cliffhanger? The 8 Steps to REALLY Hooking An Audience
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 …