Dramatic Metaphors As we discussed last time, a Dramatic Metaphor is one in which a character or group of characters have a specific relationship to an image or symbol. (For a more detailed understanding of Semiotics see Umberto Eco’s, Articulations of The Cinematic Code). The point is: as your story evolves, the emotional content in … More More on Metaphors
Sight and Sound Storytelling in film demands two of ours senses: sight and sound. Sound is everything from dialogue to music and effects. (More on use of sound and music cues in your screenplay later.) Sight is everything that the audience sees when they watch the film. As we’ve discussed, it’s why description and narrative … More Visual Storytelling
We’ve spent a lot of time this month talking about narrative. Let’s take a moment to review the other half of the writing in your script: Dialogue. Here are some simple tips on how to create good dialogue and some common pitfalls to avoid while trying to give a believable and distinct voice to your … More Dialogue: Tips and Techniques
Timing is Everything A common mistake among writers is the location of information. When they put information into the narrative is just as important as what they include. If you want to create a mystery or a question for the audience to ponder, then you want to place visual information — a location, an object … More Timing Counts (No Pun Intended)
The Economics of Information The ability to use information and imagery economically and efficiently is a skill that comes with practice and revision. With careful attention, you can create a style of narrative that is effective as well as personal for you. As you hone this skill, you will create a unique way of telling … More The Economics of Information
Happy New Year! It’s a new year. Time to refocus our attention on our work and put to use the things we learned from our past endeavors. Continuing that theme, here are some things to remember when constructing the narrative for your screenplay. Stories happen in real places. Even when the worlds are fantasy, … More Screenplay Narrative: Things to Remember
The Lie that Tells the Truth Writing is more than just putting words on a page. Writing is more than constructing a story with a beginning, middle and end. Writing is absorbing and experiencing life, filtering it through your imagination and finding the truth inside an experience that allows you to communicate your ideas to … More Break Time
Characters and Locations When describing characters and locations, you don’t want the narrative to break the flow of the action. You don’t want the reader to stop and ponder your words. You want your readers to be focused on what your characters are doing in the locations in which you have placed them. Characters When … More Screenplay Narrative (Part 2)
Images and Sound More than dialogue, a movie is about images created from sound and pictures. The narrative is how a writer describes what the reader would be seeing and hearing were s/he watching the filmed movie of his or her script. Like everything else in a script, narrative needs to show the reader not … More Screenplay Narrative (Part 1)
Only tell the reader what is being seen. When describing people, places and situations never tell the reader something that can’t be seen by a person sitting in the theater watching the movie unfold. Resist the urge to explain or provide exposition. Do not give us backstory or the inner monologue of any character. Do … More On Language in Scripts – Scenes and Narrative (Part 3)
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