screenplay structure

How Do You Use the Bookend Technique in Screenwriting?

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Memories of a Murder Bookend Technique
Often there are terms in screenwriting that do what they say on the tin. The bookend technique fulfils this mantra. It’s a plot device used to sandwich a story like two bookends. But what exactly does the bookend technique look like in screenwriting? And how can you deploy it? In this article, we will help you understand the bookend technique and how to use it in your own writing. To do this, we will take three easy steps. Teach you

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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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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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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 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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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 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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What is Five Act Structure and How Do Screenwriters Use It?

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Table of ContentsIntroduction to the Five-Act Structure What is the Five-Act Structure?What are the Five Acts in the Five-Act Structure?Act 1: ExpositionAct 2: Rising Action Act 3: ClimaxAct 4: Falling Action Act 5: DénouementThe Five-Act Structure in Action: The GodfatherAct 1: Exposition Act 2: Rising ActionAct 3: ClimaxAct 4: Falling ActionAct 5: DénouementDo You Need to Stick to A Five-Act Structure? What is The Difference Between The Five-Act Structure And The Three-Act Structure? The Five-Act Structure: In Conclusion In Summary

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What is Dan Harmon’s Story Circle? And How to Use It (with Examples)

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Dan Harmon's Story Circle - Community
The art of telling a story is ultimately narrowed down to its basic structure. And Dan Harmon’s Story Circle is an example of one of many story structures. These different structures can be fantastic, invaluable guides for writing a screenplay. And so in this article, we’ll break down Dan Harmon’s Story Circle, showing how it can help you in your screenplay and demonstrating how it looks in action, using some examples. Table of ContentsWhat Is Dan Harmon’s Story Circle?How Dan

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What is a Bottle Episode? The KEY to Writing a Self-Contained Script

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What is a bottle episode - Breaking Bad
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 a crucial moment to bring together important themes in a focused way. Whilst practically they can also serve as a budget saver within the middle of a series, restricting all the action to one location. In this article we’ll take a look at what makes a great bottle episode, the

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