Avoiding This Common Screenwriting Mistake
I’ve read a lot of scripts. As a moderator on the Screenwriters Network, as a judge for writing contests, and as a script consultant, I’ve… Read More »Avoiding This Common Screenwriting Mistake
Intro
Resident Evil and What We Fear
With the release of Resident Evil Village, it seems like a good time to look at the iconic video game series and see what it… Read More »Resident Evil and What We Fear
Terror Taught Me: Spree & Empathy for the Devil
2020’s Spree offers a fresh take on the found footage film in the age of YouTube stars and Instagram Live. Following rideshare driver Kurt, played… Read More »Terror Taught Me: Spree & Empathy for the Devil
Dialogue & Empty Calories
I’ve gotten to read a lot of amateur scripts. Between reading for contests and offering feedback in the Screenwriters Network, I’ve read in the hundreds… Read More »Dialogue & Empty Calories
Why Less is More in Screenwriting
I recently gave some similar notes to different writers, and it helped me reframe my thinking about how to write. Specifically about how to maximize… Read More »Why Less is More in Screenwriting
Quick Tip: Paragraph Breaks
It can be hard to decide where to put your paragraph break. You’ve got all these details and actions you want to include and no… Read More »Quick Tip: Paragraph Breaks
Quick Tips: Contrast
Contrast and juxtaposition makes for a quick and easy to way add tension to any screenwriting element. The contrast immediately raises questions and creates connections… Read More »Quick Tips: Contrast
Terror Taught Me: You Should Have Left and Specificity
David Koepp is an all-timer screenwriter. He wrote some of the best movies of the last few decades, and has an undeniable talent. So any… Read More »Terror Taught Me: You Should Have Left and Specificity
Steal This: The Dark Knight & The Snowball Effect
In general, the snowball effect is defined as “A process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself, becoming larger”.… Read More »Steal This: The Dark Knight & The Snowball Effect
How Nolan “Lies” to the Audience
When Nolan lies to the audience (either brother), he doesn’t really lie. Instead, Nolan uses a three-step structure to pull off a plot twist. PART… Read More »How Nolan “Lies” to the Audience