Raising the Central Dramatic Question
The central dramatic question is simple. Will your protagonist succeed by the end of the movie? That's the question you need to raise in the first act and answer at the climax in the third. All films ask this central question and you, as the...
The Best Film School Course is Making a Film
This post is not to bash film schools. There are many great film schools out there. And many great filmmakers came from film school. The knowledge one gains and the hands-on experience with the many aspects of filmmaking is a huge advantage of...
Staying Motivated to Write During a Lockdown
It goes without saying that this year has been a tough one. As writers, we know that finding motivation to stay creative can be difficult, even in the best of times. Some writers like to sit in a café and use the buzz around them to find...
Using Social Media to Promote Your Film
There's a lot we can say about the effects of social media on society today. But, for filmmakers, it can provide a significant benefit in getting a film project noticed. Of course, there is the granddaddy of video social media. YouTube. It's free...
Screenplay Foreshadow and Payoff Technique
When executed well, the technique of foreshadow and payoff, sometimes called call-forwards and call-backs, can pay dividends on multiple levels. It enriches your story and adds layers to characters. These can be in the form of an action, a prop or...
Production Schedule vs Shooting Schedule
By Dewi Griffiths There is often a great deal of confusion between what is referred to as a Production Schedule and a Shooting Schedule. The Production Schedule is what you are budgeting for the entire length of the production. This covers the...
The Building Blocks of Screenwriting
Just like a pilot can't hop into a cockpit and take off just from watching some video games, a writer shouldn't start writing a screenplay because they've watched a few movies. Like any craft, writing a screenplay takes time. Writing a great...
Research on a Feature or Book
Years ago, before the advent of the internet of today, research for a story was archaic and time consuming. It usually meant trips to the library to thumb through card catalogues or look at old newspapers on microfilm. Once you found what you...
This is the Time to Adapt Your Novel into a Television or Movie Script
Over the years, the film industry has changed in the stories they like to tell. While original material is still important, studios and producers look to existing materials in which to invest when producing movies. And one of the major sources of...
How Feedback will Make You a Better Writer
Roald Dahl once famously said, “I don’t care if a reader hates one of my stories, just as long as he finishes the book.” When it comes to your screenplay, it's a bit much not to care if a reader hates your story, but you definitely want them to...
Writing your Screenplay for a Budget
Often, when we write a screenplay, we're more concerned with story than we are with budget. After all, there's no monetary limit to our imagination. And then there's the, hey, they can just use CGI. As if CGI is cheap. Reality check. It's not. Of...
Writing a Treatment before Writing your Script
WRITING A SCREENPLAY When you develop your story, the end result, of course, is a completed screenplay. But, as part of your writing process, it's a good idea to write a treatment. But what exactly is a treatment? Simply put, a treatment is a...
Writing the First Draft of your Script
You've had this great idea for a screenplay burning in your head. You've worked it through in your mind, then written out a rocking treatment. Or a beat outline. Or both. You've done everything right to prepare to start that first draft. Lots of...
Short Filmmaking
As with features, in any short film, the script is KING and QUEEN. This is especially true when it comes to attracting both talent and crew. Artists want to help create something unique and powerful. A good short film should run anywhere...
An unique collection of books for Creative Writers and Filmmakers
Whether you are an aspiring or advanced writer, our ultimate collection of books will help you develop your writing skills regardless of the type of writing, be it books, screenplays, or genres such as fantasy, horror, romance. Our collection is...
Recommended Scriptwriting Software
Before going into production, any film project goes through the following three steps: Writing a Script Creating a Schedule Determining a Budget All three parts are linked one to each other. Without a script, there is no schedule, and without a...
The different steps of making a film
In this post, we will outline the various steps to making a film, from the early stage of script development through post-production. DEVELOPMENT A screenwriter develops a spec script The spec script is optioned by a producer Producer finds a...
Who’s who on the Set: Above-the-Line / Jobs and qualities required
HOW TO BECOME A FILM DIRECTOR, A PRODUCER, A SCREENWRITER OR AN ACTOR Who’s who on the Set: Above-the-Line / Jobs and qualities required INTRODUCTION You’re looking to start a career in film production. You want to be part of the creative team....
Jobs description in the Directing, Camera & Light Departments
What qualities do you need to work in the film industry? You’re looking to start a career in film production and you wonder how you can get a job in TV or movies. But where do you start? How do you know if your dream job is working in the Directing...
Jobs description in the Production Department
Who's who on the Set: Below-The-line (Part 2) INTRODUCTION This guide focuses on the various Jobs in the Film Production department. It explains who are the key players, what responsibilities are part of their job, and what are the main qualities...