Screenplay Structure
Choosing what the audience knows and when they know it in order to maximize narrative momentum and emotional resonance.
The Rules of Screenwriting.
Turns out, most dumb rules have something useful behind them.
How to format a text message in your screenplay.
Text messages in modern stories are pretty much unavoidable now. Write enough screenplays and it’s eventually going to come up.
The magic of sequence throughlines.
While ALIEN was not written in 8 sequences, it is a superb example of the 8-sequence approach.
How does the character solve problems?
How a character solves their problems is a defining characteristic that we often forget.
The 3-Part Act 1 and the Inciting Incident.
Sometimes the needs of Act 1 do not lend themselves to an early inciting incident. For those unique stories, you have the 3-Part Act 1.
Write your Spec. But first, write your treatment.
I used to hate treatments. Now it's an immensely valuable part of my process.
A nepo baby's main advantage is something you can emulate.
The biggest advantage of nepotism isn't the connections; it's the immersion in the craft and the embedded belief that a career is possible.
Screenplay structure is fractal.
I approach each screenplay structure as a fractal and have found that the most satisfying screen stories follow this pattern.
How the monster movie structure can help you with any genre.
When structuring your story, you don't have to start from scratch. There are plenty of places to look for inspiration, and one of them is genre.
What motivates the characters in your screenplay?
Anxiety means well. Anxiety’s job is to protect us, after all. It’s just usually an incredibly unskilled and unproductive way to do it.
How to write a montage.
Don't let proper montage format sabotage your montage.