Lessons

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MacGuffins: The Holy Grail of Plot Devices

MacGuffins: The Holy Grail of Plot Devices

MacGuffins: The Holy Grail of Plot Devices

A MacGuffin is a tangible object that all your characters are pursuing. Whether it's a suitcase filled with cash, a priceless jewel...

MacGuffins: The Holy Grail of Plot Devices

MacGuffins: The Holy Grail of Plot Devices

MacGuffins: The Holy Grail of Plot Devices

Sep 24, 2024

3 Reasons Short Films Suck

3 Reasons Short Films Suck

3 Reasons Short Films Suck

Sep 12, 2024

Deus Ex Machina: Don't Ruin Your Ending

Deus Ex Machina: Don't Ruin Your Ending

Deus Ex Machina: Don't Ruin Your Ending

Sep 10, 2024

Ticking Clocks: 1 Way to Fix Your Plot

Ticking Clocks: 1 Way to Fix Your Plot

Ticking Clocks: 1 Way to Fix Your Plot

Sep 7, 2024

How to Write Deeper Characters

How to Write Deeper Characters

How to Write Deeper Characters

Aug 27, 2024

How to Use Chekhov's Gun

How to Use Chekhov's Gun

How to Use Chekhov's Gun

Aug 20, 2024

How to Make Character Choices Matter

How to Make Character Choices Matter

How to Make Character Choices Matter

Aug 13, 2024

3 Reasons Loglines Suck

3 Reasons Loglines Suck

3 Reasons Loglines Suck

Aug 6, 2024

How to Develop Your Kernel of a Script Idea (A Follow-Along Journey)

How to Develop Your Kernel of a Script Idea (A Follow-Along Journey)

How to Develop Your Kernel of a Script Idea (A Follow-Along Journey)

Apr 14, 2020

Here’s How to Protect Your Script (Do This Before You Submit)

Here’s How to Protect Your Script (Do This Before You Submit)

Here’s How to Protect Your Script (Do This Before You Submit)

Apr 13, 2020

12 – Resolution: The Different Ways It Can End

12 – Resolution: The Different Ways It Can End

12 – Resolution: The Different Ways It Can End

Jan 20, 2019

11 – Ultimate Test: Fighting the Big Fight

11 – Ultimate Test: Fighting the Big Fight

11 – Ultimate Test: Fighting the Big Fight

Jan 19, 2019

10 – Preparation: And a Driving Metaphor

10 – Preparation: And a Driving Metaphor

10 – Preparation: And a Driving Metaphor

Jan 18, 2019

9 – Act Two: What’s the Worst That Can Happen?

9 – Act Two: What’s the Worst That Can Happen?

9 – Act Two: What’s the Worst That Can Happen?

Jan 17, 2019

8 – Normal World, Inciting Incident, and Call to Action: The Story Engine

8 – Normal World, Inciting Incident, and Call to Action: The Story Engine

8 – Normal World, Inciting Incident, and Call to Action: The Story Engine

Jan 16, 2019

7 – Mentor and False Mentor: Why Are So Many So Creepy?

7 – Mentor and False Mentor: Why Are So Many So Creepy?

7 – Mentor and False Mentor: Why Are So Many So Creepy?

Jan 15, 2019

6 – Flaw, Resolution, and Inner-Need: You Get What You Need

6 – Flaw, Resolution, and Inner-Need: You Get What You Need

6 – Flaw, Resolution, and Inner-Need: You Get What You Need

Jan 13, 2019

5 – The Objective: What Do You Want? (And No, “Love” Doesn’t Count)

5 – The Objective: What Do You Want? (And No, “Love” Doesn’t Count)

5 – The Objective: What Do You Want? (And No, “Love” Doesn’t Count)

Dec 29, 2018

4 – Protagonist and Antagonist: The Good, the Bad, and the Meh

4 – Protagonist and Antagonist: The Good, the Bad, and the Meh

4 – Protagonist and Antagonist: The Good, the Bad, and the Meh

Dec 22, 2018

2 – Structure: A Necessary Evil

2 – Structure: A Necessary Evil

2 – Structure: A Necessary Evil

Dec 8, 2018

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