Writing a screenplay can be daunting, and there is a ton to consider. However, before you even think about what goes into the document, what is script writing anyway?Continue reading What is Script Writing? The Essentials to Writing Great Screenplays
A plot is a crucial element for any story, and I challenge you to think of a great film or book that has a mediocre plot. But plot often seems to get confused or conflated with the characters, setting, and theme. In this post, we’re going to define plot, explain why it’s important, and then… Continue reading What Is a Plot? Types of Plot, Definitions, and Examples
Exposition in film or screenwriting is one of the most difficult aspects to master. It’s necessary for our audience to understand our characters and plot, but we don’t really want the audience to be aware of exposition, in and of itself. When that happens, it can jar the audience right out of our story. And… Continue reading 12 Secrets to Great Exposition in Screenwriting (w/ Examples)
One-liners can be hilarious. Other movie one-liners are deep, even dark, while others are just straight up weird. Regardless of the genre, they’re usually remembered long after the movie’s release, and the words can impact an entire generation. Don’t believe me? See if you’ve ever said or heard any of these phrases in conversation. You… Continue reading Comedic and Iconic Movie Lines: The Best One-Liners in Cinema
A screenplay is an entirely different beast than a novel, essay, poem, or even short story. A screenplay demands extreme clarity and creativity in your visual descriptions, which can be a challenge. But knowing what a screenplay requires at a basic level, will help the process. This post is for any individual wanting to know… Continue reading What is a Screenplay? A Brief Definition for the Beginner
Literary jargon like plot and story are often used excessively to describe the same thing. But in this post we’re going to define plot in relation to story, so you can understand the difference. But also, understand how they’re connected. So what is plot in a story? Continue reading What is the Plot of a… Continue reading What is the Plot of a Story? Plotting Out the Basics with a Quick Definition
Proper screenplay format is a necessary evil. Some rules are set in stone while others can be left up to a writer’s preference–the lack of consensus can certainly be frustrating. So, what’s a writer to do? The first step is to use a screenwriting program, like StudioBinder. This ensures that most of your formatting concerns are dealt… Continue reading How to Format a Script with Keyboard Shortcuts
You finally wrote your screenplay, novel, or academic book. Now what? You want to grab an agent or editor’s attention. How might you do that? Writing a synopsis is an age-old tool to get your project noticed. But what is a synopsis? Is a film synopsis or book synopsis different? Let’s learn the basics so… Continue reading What is a Synopsis? The Basics for the Screenwriter and Novelist
Scenes numbers are extremely important in any project. Keeping the original numbers intact will save any pre-production work you’ve already done. But there are times when renumbering scenes makes sense. How is this done and what are the negative aspects of this process? The good news is that renumbering your scenes in super simple. The only… Continue reading How to Renumber Scenes in StudioBinder
We all know that conflict is needed to keep viewers engaged, to create an emotional response, and to ultimately, push the story forward. Without conflict in a story, the film, show, or novel, may seem a bit, well, boring. It’s also true that conflict can be defined by all of the “types” that exist —… Continue reading What is Conflict in a Story? A Quick Reminder of the Purpose of Conflict
A comprehensive article that breaks down why Seinfeld scripts were so good at identifying problems, balancing multiple stories, and keeping the viewer smiling.
There’s no shortage of “How to Write a Spec Script” posts out there, and they tend to come in two forms. Articles about writing on spec either spotlight “business side” considerations — marketplace demand, how to get your material out there, which contests to enter — or they give guidance on the creative process: how… Continue reading How to Write a Spec Script: The Complete Guide to Writing on Spec
⌂ Types OF IronyVerbal IronySituational IronyDramatic Irony Dramatic irony is one of the three main types of irony. Like verbal and situational irony, dramatic irony is an integral element of storytelling. The power a writer or director can yield with a firm grasp of dramatic irony is huge. But what is dramatic irony and how… Continue reading What is Dramatic Irony? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters
⌂ Types OF IronyVerbal IronySituational IronyDramatic Irony Situational irony is a broad term with near-endless applications. At a fundamental level, every story has some aspect of situational irony – which means that it’s a key component of storytelling. But what is situational irony? We’re going to define situational irony by looking at situational irony examples… Continue reading What is Situational Irony? Definition and Examples
Eating, drinking, sleeping, and sex are elements of human behavior we all share. The difference with sex is that it has been deemed taboo for centuries. That moral standard has been loosening for decades now, and sex has become a more significant part of mainstream entertainment. But just because we CAN show sex in movies doesn’t… Continue reading How to Write and Direct Sex Scenes
Time going by in film is an amazing opportunity for writers of all levels to put their creativity to the test. Some films opt for simple titles, while others write the passing of time into the very structure of the screenplay. But what is the best way to write the passage of time in your… Continue reading How to Write the Passage of Time in Your Screenplay
You’ve finished the greatest story ever told. Now how do you protect your screenplay? It’s a good idea to learn how to copyright a script because, as a writer, the last thing you need is a legal battle. While Final Draft provides a link to WGA script registration, you might want to take it a… Continue reading How to Copyright a Script and Protect Your Screenplay
Got a great script idea in your head but not sure how to condense it? That’s why you need a synopsis. But what if you don’t know how to write a synopsis?Continue reading How to Write a Compelling Movie Synopsis [with FREE Synopsis Template]
StudioBinder presents our free freeform writing software. Our integrated writing tools help you create and manage necessary documents for your production company while you organize and plan your productions. Seamlessly go from development to physical production — all in one hub. Read on to see why StudioBinder’s Freeform writing features will change production workflows. Oh, wait…… Continue reading Freeform Writing: StudioBinder’s Free Word Processor for Video Creatives
I f you’ve ever typed, “I want to become a writer where do I start?” into Google then you’ve probably been overwhelmed by the myriad of ways to make your dream come true. But which ones work? Which ones have actual tips to guide you? In this post we’ll show you ten ways to move from writing… Continue reading How to Become a Writer: Proven Ways to Launch Your Career
