Guides & tutorials for screenwriters

Screenplay basics

The fundamentals to master before you write: act structure, formatting standards, industry vocabulary and the screenwriter’s working documents.

3 guides

How to Write a Movie Screenplay?

The 5 stages from pitch to polish, the two creative approaches (architect or gardener) and the fundamentals to never lose sight of when writing a screenplay.

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The Three-Act Structure Explained Simply

Setup, confrontation, resolution: the three-act skeleton (25%/50%/25%) behind most films, with the key turning points and real examples (The Matrix, Star Wars).

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Screenplay Formatting Rules

The 7 elements of standard screenplay formatting (heading, action, character, dialogue, parenthetical, transition, shot), with a full example scene and their case/alignment rules.

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Characters & dialogue

Create characters nobody forgets and write lines that ring true: psychological depth, character sheets, subtext and a distinct voice for each of them.

4 guides

How to Create a Memorable Fictional Character?

Create an unforgettable character through psychological depth: desires, fears, contradictions, with an analysis of nine iconic figures (Tyrion Lannister, Walter White, the Joker...).

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How to Write a Complete Character Sheet?

Separate facts from dramatic arc, find the telling detail, build supporting sheets through contrast: the keys to writing a character sheet that actually helps your writing.

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How to Write Natural, Punchy Dialogue?

Subtext, a distinct voice for each character, the art of evasion: the rules and mechanics behind punchy dialogue, with an analysis of iconic lines (Inception, Spider-Man, The Dark Knight...).

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How to Give Each Character Their Own Voice?

Rooting voice in psychology, borrowing real-life quirks, playing with masks: the levers for giving each character a distinct voice, plus the mask test to check your work.

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Building your story

From the first idea to the final scene: find a subject, build a gripping plot, nail your opening and keep your audience hooked to the end.

4 guides

How to Find a Screenplay Idea?

Four sources of inspiration, a 3-step method: how to find and strengthen a screenplay idea, with real film examples.

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How to Build a Gripping Plot?

The desire/obstacle triangle, managing tension, subplots: the narrative mechanics behind a gripping plot, with real film examples.

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How to Write a Strong Opening Scene?

The 4 jobs of an opening scene, the threat vs. anchor method, the anatomy of iconic scenes (The Dark Knight, Up, Inglourious Basterds), and the mistakes to avoid.

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How to Nail a Screenplay's Ending?

Climax, resolving the subplots, a mirror-effect epilogue: the 3-step roadmap for building a satisfying screenplay ending, without a deus ex machina.

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Writing & collaborating

Write together without stepping on each other: workflow, roles, outlining, version control and revision.

3 guides

How to Co-Write a Screenplay With Others?

Method, roles, and tools to co-write a screenplay with others without version conflicts or lost time.

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How to Break Your Story Into Scenes Before You Write?

Why and how to break your story into scenes before writing: unity of place/time/action, a 5-scene heist example alternating between the main plot and a subplot.

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How to Revise Your Screenplay Effectively?

A 5-step process for revising and rewriting a screenplay, from the big picture down to the details (story, scenes, dialogue), plus sharing drafts to get feedback.

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