The most memorable characters in literature and film have distinctive personalities. Think of the ever-optimistic Leslie Knope from TV’s Parks and Recs or the hilariously sardonic Hades from Disney’s animated classic Hercules. If you were asked to describe these characters, you’d have plenty of ways to explain who they are and what they’re like. That’s because these characters were created by writers who understand the importance of clearly defined character traits that paint a fuller picture of who they are, making them seem real to readers and viewers. But what are character traits, and how can you use them in…
There are plenty of types of poetry, mostly defined by the structure and rules they follow. Sonnets, villanelles, haikus - these are all forms of structured poetry that have specific rhyme schemes, line lengths, and other guidelines to follow. In contrast, free verse poems have no predetermined form or structure. They can be as long or as short as the poet desires and can use any style or technique without following traditional poetic conventions. Continue reading What is a Free Verse Poem — Definition and Examples
There are many things that define movies directed by Edgar Wright. Brilliant needle drops. Laugh-out-loud moments by the barrelful. And characters subtly telling you at the beginning what’s going to happen throughout the movie. There’s really no such thing as a bad Edgar Wright movie, so consider this a ranking from great to greatest. By looking at each of his films, we can dissect what makes him such an idiosyncratic filmmaker and why each new film he comes out with is met with intense anticipation from movie lovers. We've left his first feature, A Fistful of Fingers, off the list…
It’s a common misconception that only actors get residuals. Artists and artisans behind the camera, including writers, also qualify for this unique type of compensation in the entertainment industry. We’re going to break down what residuals are, how writers receive them, and why they matter. As confusing and convoluted as residuals may seem, a basic understanding of them will help you be a smarter and savvier writer and professional. Continue reading WGA Residuals Explained — How Union Screenwriters Get Paid
The beauty of poetry lies in its ability to express the deepest human emotions, experiences, and narratives in a way that prose often cannot. Poetic devices can make storytelling through narrative poetry especially unique. Among the many types of poetry, one form stands out for its storytelling prowess – narrative poetry. Continue reading What is Narrative Poetry — Definition, Types & Examples
Legends are timeless tales. They have been woven into every culture since the dawn of time, and have this incredible way of captivating our collective imagination. They're like windows into the past, giving us glimpses into what our ancestors believed, feared, hoped for, and dreamed about. Continue reading What is a Legend — Definition, Types and Examples
Few filmmakers are able to imbue simple, grounded genre stories with as much dramatic heft and visual style as Michael Mann. One of the “neon-noir” innovator’s greatest cinematic achievements is his action-thriller Collateral (2004). If Heat was Michael Mann’s masterwork of the ‘90s, then the Collateral movie was his masterwork of the ‘00s and, arguably, his last great film to date. Collateral was Mann’s most successful film in terms of box office earnings. The film was made for a budget of approximately 65 million dollars and brought in a massive return of over 220 million dollars. Let’s take a look…
The Office has found its way into audiences' hearts well after its series finale. The show has stood the test of time thanks to its dry humor, clever writing, and likable characters. Well, some likable characters. In the Season 3 of The Office, one character became more annoying and disagreeable than any other, yet somehow lasted until the series finale. How? This is how the writers of The Office constructed the fall and rise of the Nard Dog, Andy Bernard.Continue reading Andy Bernard: The Office’s Most Unlikely Likable Character
Have you ever seen a movie, walked out, and said, “That was awfully good?” Ever said something was your “only choice,” or that your homework was "completely unfinished”? Believe it or not, you’ve already used oxymorons in your everyday life, and maybe you didn’t even know it! Read on to learn more about examples of oxymorons, from daily life to oxymoron examples in Romeo and Juliet! Continue reading Oxymoron Examples in Literature, Poetry, Lyrics & More
