How to write a screenplay: the 5 steps most beginners skip. You may have read a few posts on how to write a screenplay that go something like this: • Learn how to format a screenplay... • Write a logline, synopsis and treatment... • Write a first draft, then rewrite it, then rewrite it again... […]
50 of the best TV scripts to download and study to improve your writing. Just like in our post on the best screenplays to read, we’ve broken down our list of the best TV scripts into the following categories: • Drama • Comedy • Action/Adventure • Thriller • Horror If you want to learn how […]
How to Write a Dramedy Script: The Secret Sauce to Greatness. This article will discuss the fundamentals of how to write a dramedy for both movies and TV. We'll explore the commonly asked question, “What does 'dramedy' really mean?” before delving into a comprehensive breakdown of the major components a writer should know/learn for a […]
How to write a flashback in a script. Wanna know how to write a flashback in a script the right way? Great, because some of the most memorable moments in cinema history have been flashbacks. From Alvy’s iconic “seems like old times” montage at the end of Annie Hall, to Cheryl’s painful memories of her […]
How to write a montage in a script: a quick and dirty guide. We’ve seen them in countless movies and TV shows, but knowing how to write a montage in a script is another matter altogether. • Just what is a montage exactly? • How should you format a montage in a screenplay? • How […]
How to write a script for a short film: a 9-step guide. Ever considered writing a short film as a way into Hollywood? As a screenwriter, you might think that your only ticket to a career is by writing a low to mid-budget spec or a studio blockbuster. But in reality, an immediate (and practical) […]
The 6 key character archetypes needed to nail the perfect cast list. You’ve probably heard that you should develop a movie script’s characters using a seemingly endless array of “character archetypes,” such as the “outlaw,” “fool” or “shapeshifter.” Character archetypes in movies have been popularized in books like 45 Master Characters by Victoria Schmidt. The […]
How to write a believable police investigation scene in your script. Thankfully, screenwriting isn’t just about “writing what you know.” It’s obviously also about creating and recreating worlds that you might have zero experience of. So let’s say you want to write a script that involves a crime scene or police investigation scene... But you’ve never […]
Save the Cat Beat Sheet vs. Screenplay Sequences. Just how useful is a Save the Cat beat sheet (also known as the “Blake Snyder beat sheet”) to the budding writer? Is it the go-to template that anyone can plug their story in to and get amazing results? Or is it a screenwriting-by-numbers method that’s not […]
How to write a fight scene in a script. Writing fight scenes can be tricky for many screenwriters. How exactly do you lay out a fight scene on the page? Do you describe every blow and gunshot? Or do you leave most of it to the director? And if so, how much? We’ll be answering […]