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
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Catharsis Motif Plot Protagonist Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Foreshadowing Irony Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Write Your Script For Free → 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… 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 — Tips and Techniques for TV and Film
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
EssentialOpen menu What is Creative Commons What is Fair Use What is Public Domain ResourcesOpen menu Creative Commons License Pros and Cons How Copyright Free Music Works How to Copyright a Script How to Find Award-Worthy Script Ideas from The Public Domain Best Public Domain Movies You’ve finished the greatest story ever told. Now how… 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]
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
Screenplays By GenreOpen menu Comedy Sci-Fi Drama Crime TV Scripts Horror ResourcesOpen menu FREE Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Best Screenplays to Read Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Best Horror Movie Scripts to Download Write Your Script for Free → A screenwriter will be… Continue reading Shrek Script Explained: Download the Entire Shrek Script PDF FREE
Screenplays By GenreOpen menu Comedy Sci-Fi Drama Crime TV Scripts Horror ResourcesOpen menu FREE Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Best Screenplays to Read Shane Black Movies & Screenwriting Explained Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Best Horror Movie Scripts to Download Write Your Script for Free → Crafting a well-formatted… Continue reading La La Land Script Analysis & Free Script Download: How to Write Musicals
T he actual writing of your script is the fun part. But, just like any form of writing, you have to know where you’re going first. Organization is important. That’s where a script outline comes into play. Understanding your central character’s desire, and capturing the scenarios they attract for themselves, should guide that process. There is no… Continue reading How to Write a Script Outline for Film and TV (Free Template and Examples)
EPISODE 2TV WRITING & DEVELOPMENT MASTERCLASSCharacter Development:FREE Character Profile Sheet TemplateA great television show needs great characters. Unlike film, television teases out character development over several seasons. We take you through the basics, and provide a FREE character profile sheet. SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE ← BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE WATCH NEXT EPISODE → TV character development:… Continue reading TV Character Development [Character Profile Sheet Template] — TV Writing & Development: Ep2
It’s incredibly hard to make any movie, but a perfect movie? That’s nearly impossible without a great set of script notes. Today we’ll learn how script notes catapulted Back to the Future into theaters and changed history forever. Travel with us as we talk about casting, rewrites, and the development process. Hop in! Where we’re going, we… Continue reading How Script Notes Can Improve Your Screenplay [With Example]
Screenplay Structure 101Open menu Three Act Structure Freytag’s Pyramid Story Mountain Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey Save the Cat Dan Harmon’s Story Circle 5 Stages of A StoryOpen menu Exposition Inciting Incident Rising Action Climax Falling Action Denouement Write Your Script For Free → P lot structure is the most critical thing about a movie. Plot structure is… Continue reading Plot Structure Tools to Help You Master the Art of Dramatic Writing
I f you want to write a script, and finish it, story outlines are helpful. Why? Because once you have waded even knee-deep into the writing, it’s easy to lose sight of things. Even worse? Predators named fear and self-doubt will be stalking you.Continue reading How to Write a Story Outline that Works [FREE Script Outline… Continue reading How to Write a Story Outline that Works [FREE Script Outline Template]
F ilmmaker Joel Coen has said, “If the material is challenging, it forces you to challenge yourself when handling it.” For the past 30 years Joel, along with his brother Ethan, have created films that tackle the most comical and confounding aspects of human nature. Continue reading Top Screenwriting Tips and Strategies From the Coen Brothers
Scripts are constantly evolving. That’s just what they do. New scenes are added and old scenes are deleted throughout pre-production and production. How do these new changes affect your project? In StudioBinder, making script changes is easy and your project is kept intact. We’re going to walk through the process of how to make script changes, syncing… Continue reading How to Make Script Changes in StudioBinder
