The Influence of “Get Out” and Its Limitations for Horror
Jordan Peele’s Get Out was a seminal horror film. Unsettling, witty, and hugely political. It was made with a great deal of respect for the genre, yet Peele also elevated frighteners too, making a film that became a genuine “water cooler” pop culture entry. For months, people couldn’t stop talking about its twists, shocks, and […]
The Story Worlds We Create
How would you like to go: …somewhere where the skies are blue the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true. Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Way above the chimney tops… That, of course, is excerpted lyrics from the fantastical film The Wizard of Oz. The Frank Baum story The Wonderful Wizard of […]
Why Demons and Devils Make for Superior Villains
We all know that “the devil is in the details,” but why are there so many demons in movies and on TV these days? In the past two years, there have been 26 horror movies released where the primary antagonist is some sort of supernatural force (It: Chapter Two), a demon (Annabelle Comes Home), or […]
How Pacing, Style & Tone Shape Your Screenplay
Most screenwriters should be aware of the main structural pillars of a screenplay – act breaks, inciting incidents and conclusions. Few consider the less tangible aspects of their screenplays such as style, tone and pacing to the same extent. Let’s take a look at some screenplay examples which illustrate how the interplay of these factors […]
Finding Your Writing Voice Through Self-Awareness
A screenwriter’s voice is often discussed, but has never been fully defined. Many writers discuss their writing voice in terms of a point of view and the types of characters, themes, and stories they write. While these aspects are important determinants of your voice, screenwriters must dig deeper into themselves and start thinking about WHY […]
