Metaphors are an important part of any writer’s lexicon. At their best, metaphors can crystalize an image or meaning in just a few words. Sometimes, however, they’re not operating at their best. Some of the most maligned metaphors are called dead metaphors, and most writers avoid them. But what is a dead metaphor? And is there any time you may want to use one?Continue reading What is a Dead Metaphor — Examples & How to Avoid Them
What is third person limited point of view? Third person limited point of view is an important perspective for writers and readers – but what is it? And how is it used? We’re going to answer those questions by defining third person limited point of view. We’re also going to explore third person limited examples! By the end, you’ll know what third person limited point of view is and how to use it in writing.Continue reading What is Third Person Limited Point of View
Eyelines in film help you tell a professional visual story better than most directing techniques and film gear ever will. The very basics of crafting an effective scene begins with the eyeline match. This is a filmmaking technique that, when done correctly, should go completely unnoticed. Nonetheless, it is an incredibly important technique that all filmmakers should know and understand. A lack of attention to eyeline match can result in visible errors in an entire scene. In this article, we’ll answer, "What is eyeline match" and why it's so important. Continue reading What is an Eyeline Match? Definition & Examples…
From movies to novels to video games, dystopian fiction is consistently one of the hottest genres in entertainment. But given its broad scope and variety of forms, the dystopian genre can sometimes be hard to categorize. What is dystopian fiction? What are its defining features and how can we account for its enduring popularity? This article will define dystopian fiction, explain its purpose and function, and provide important examples of it from across the storytelling spectrum.Continue reading What is Dystopian Fiction? Definition and Characteristics
Every screenwriter wants to write quippy, smart dialogue that makes the page sparkle and keeps the actors inspired. But how do you do it? There are dozens, if not hundreds, of lists and guides that provide useful tips for how to write dialogue in a story. In this post, we’ll look at dialogue writing examples, examine a few tried-and-true methods for how to write good dialogue, and provide you with all the best dialogue writing tips. Continue reading How to Write Dialogue — Examples, Tips & Techniques
Indirect characterization is an essential part of developing nuanced characters. But what is indirect characterization? We’re going to break down this writerly concept by looking at its definition and examples in literature and film. By the end, you’ll know why indirect characterization is an important part of developing nuanced characters.Continue reading What is Indirect Characterization — Character Building Tips
What is third person point of view? Perhaps she knows; or he knows; or they know. The third person point of view is used to keep distance between the writer and reader. As a result, characters serve as a buffer so that the focus remains on the narrative. We’re going to break down the third person point of view, or third person POV, with examples from The Lord of the Rings and Uncharted, but first, let’s review some grammar details.Continue reading What is Third Person Point of View? Definition & Examples
Whether you’re interested in photography or cinematography, you’ve seen the gamut of what can be done to manipulate images to get breathtaking cinematic effects. Some though, aren’t as complicated as they may look. This article covers the fundamentals of one of the most commonly used techniques that yields incredible looking images. What is shallow depth of field and how can we use it to get consistent quality out of our work?Continue reading What is Shallow Depth of Field? Definitions and Examples
Characterization is simply “what makes a character a character.” But under the umbrella of characterization, there are two subtypes: direct characterization and indirect characterization. We’re going to break down direct characterization by looking at examples from John Wick, The Grapes of Wrath, and more. By the end, you’ll know how to implement direct characterization in your own works.Continue reading What is Direct Characterization — Character Building Tips
It is fundamental knowledge that moving the camera closer or further from a subject has innate storytelling effects. But what happens when a filmmaker simply moves the camera around a subject? This is the arc shot. It commonly appears on the big screen as the hero shot, but today we’ll analyze a few more effective storytelling capabilities of the arc shot.Continue reading The Arc Shot — Examples and Camera Movements Explained
