One of the more difficult cinematic aspects to communicate through a screenplay is pacing. Oftentimes, pacing relies on the cutting of shots and scenes. While the lengths of scenes can help give a reader the overall pacing of a film, how do you communicate the pacing of quick cuts within a scene? In this article we’ll teach you how to write quick cuts in a screenplay.
Continue reading How to Write Quick Cuts in a Screenplay — Examples and Tips
The role of a screenwriter is to tell a story and create a cinematic experience on paper. It is a common debate as to whether or not screenwriters should write camera directions in a screenplay. Whether or not you plan to use them or plan to avoid them, it’s important to understand at least how to write camera directions in a script properly. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to write camera directions in a script as well as why to use them minimally.
Continue reading How to Write Camera Directions in a Script — Tips & Techniques
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How do you format a screenplay in Google Docs? Is it even possible? We will answer both of these questions as well as look at alternatives to Google Docs, add-ons that can improve the writing experience in Google Docs, and common screenplay formatting pitfalls. We will also explore the most useful built-in features the software offers and let you know where else these features can be found. Professional formatting is pivotal in whether or not a screenplay is taken seriously in the industry. Let’s find out if achieving professional-level formatting is possible in Google Docs. Continue reading How to Format a Screenplay in Google Docs — A Writer’s Guide
Dialogue scenes can be the most fun to write as well as the most difficult. Visual performances of dialogue in films can be powerful, emotional, and moving. However, the medium of written text has its limitations. Luckily, screenwriters have parentheticals. Parentheticals are a great way to include specific information that help a reader better understand a dialogue scene. So how do you write a parenthetical in a screenplay? Let’s take a look at screenplay parenthetical examples and to learn how they should be used.
Continue reading Screenplay Parenthetical Examples (And Why They Work)
When you browse for movie scripts online, you can get all kinds of results. And in these instances, what you look up online may not be exactly what you’re looking for. In some cases, what a screenwriter ends up finding is a script and not a traditional screenplay. This is how we get into the situation of screenplay vs script, where the two are similar, but not exactly the same. In this article, we are going to cover both “screenplay” and “script,” while comparing and contrasting the two. In this way you won’t have to keep asking “Is screenplay and script the same thing?”… Keep reading
Screenplays, as well as script treatments, are well known as the foundation for any movie. People in the industry also know that there are so many screenplays out in the wild that have not been produced. But what about those that are chosen for production? Well, they evolve to become shooting scripts. What is a shooting script, you ask? If you’ve been on the internet researching scripts for famous movies, it’s possible you have already seen one.
There is a fine line that exists between what is a regular screenplay and what is a shooting script. We’re going to make sure you have a strong understanding of what a shooting script is, including the main characteristics of one, by providing a definition, plus plenty of examples.… Keep reading
The term “INT” is thrown around a lot in the world of screenwriting and film/television production. But what does INT mean in a script? We’re going to answer that question by defining the term. We’re also going to look at some examples from real-world screenplays! By the end, you’ll know what INT means and how to implement it in your own scripts.
Continue reading What Does INT. Mean in a Script — Screenwriting 101
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With new streaming platforms emerging every year and binge watching becoming an art form, the television industry needs more writers than ever. Unfortunately, there is also more competition than ever. Breaking into the TV industry can be tough, but here are the fundamentals you need to know about becoming a television show writer as well as some actionable tips that will help you get that much closer to writing for television.
Continue reading Writing for Television — Format, Genre and Structure
While cinematography has the unique ability to visually draw an audience’s eye to something specific, screenwriters also have a unique tool to draw a reader’s attention to a specific scene element within a screenplay. The slug line is one of the best tools a screenwriter has for drawing attention and incorporating visual elements into a screenplay. So what is a slug line and what is it used for? Let’s find out.
Continue reading What is a Slug Line? Scene Heading Screenplay Formatting
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Arguably even more than film, television relies on writers. Quite simply, without talented screenwriters, the vast expanse of TV we’re familiar with today wouldn’t exist. TV scripts are the backbone of the industry, and a great twenty-five pages can launch countless hours of beloved people, places and plots. By poring through TV script examples, you can learn the formatting, technique, and craft required to write the next great series.
Continue reading TV Script Examples — Different Types, Lengths & Genres
EXT: three little letters that communicate a lot. But what does EXT mean in a script? We’re going to answer that question by defining the term and by breaking down some examples from real-world screenplays. By the end, you’ll know what EXT means and how to correctly utilize it in your own writing.
Continue reading What Does EXT. Mean in a Script — Screenwriting 101
Inserts are used to highlight specific elements of scenes. But how do you write an insert? Don’t worry, we’re going to show you how to write an insert in a screenplay. We’re also going to show you when it’s appropriate. By the end, you’ll know how, when, and why you should write inserts in screenplays.
Continue reading How to Write an Insert in a Screenplay — Tips & Examples
You’ve got a great idea for a montage. But what does it look like on the page? Figuring out how to write a montage in a script the “right” way is a common concern.
There isn’t one definitive way to write a montage. You have plenty of industry-standard options. We’ll cover all of them in this post, along with a more efficient way: how to write your montage with an eye towards production so that your montage gets scheduled, budgeted and shot.
Continue reading How to Write a Montage in a Script — Formatting For Various Locations
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here’s something about a car chase that captivates an audience. Maybe it’s the need for speed, or, perhaps it’s the knowledge that at any moment the scene can come to an abrupt end that gets the heart racing. But is it easy to pull off?
Nowadays, sophisticated audiences require more from their action scenes. Car chases are a staple of the silver screen and it takes a true craftsman to pen a great chase. So how does a writer craft a car chase scene that is both readable and cinematic? Let’s first take a look at the evolution of these chases, and why incorporating certain elements are so crucial to standing out.… Keep reading
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 with automatically. With formatting taken care of, you can focus on the writing.
In this article, we’re going to walk through some formatting basics and how keyboard shortcuts in StudioBinder make the process even easier.
Continue reading How to Format a Script with Keyboard Shortcuts
