Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
As a film student, you have a unique opportunity to tap into your boundless creativity and tell stories that matter to you. But with so many possibilities, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’re feeling stuck or just looking for some inspiration, these 8 creative ideas for your first short film… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
As a screenwriter, you know that a great story is the foundation of any successful film or TV show. But what makes a story truly great? And how can you craft a narrative that captivates your audience from start to finish? At its core, a great story is about more than just plot and characters…. …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
By Jody Michelle Solis As a dedicated storyteller, I’ve been deeply drawn to the art of screenwriting. Crafting a compelling narrative on the page can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor, one that I’ve pursued with passion and tenacity. As someone who has been captivated by the power of both writing and film from a… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Photo by Sandy Millar, Hawkes Bay, Aotearoa New Zealand. Do you sometimes find yourself staring at a blank page, fighting distractions, but then, CUT TO an innocent Google or YouTube search, and then, off down the rabbit hole you go? And the thing you google’d or youtube’d doesn’t even have anything to do with the… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
(Above Photo by Felipe Bustill. Follow IG @pipe_fx) Create an Effective Hook …And Keep Them Watching Written By Jared Isham This one technique will change your creative approach forever and launch your career in filmmaking. I hope I have your attention. I was recently working as an editor on a documentary project that typically would… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
(Above Photo by Jayden Yoon ZK; www.jaydenyoon.com) The Writer’s Journey …And The Script Doctoring Road Written By Dr. Alan C. Hueth Writing is all about the journey, and there are journeys that writers must consider. The most important one is The Viewers’ Journey. All professional scriptwriters want their viewers to be riveted to the screen…. …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
By Scott McConnell I recently rewatched the classic adventure film, Journey to the Center of the Earth (Fox, 1959), starring James Mason and Pat Boone. I encourage every creative to watch this film for its many excellent cinematic and story values: exciting plot, heroic characters, stunning visuals, big life-supporting theme, and evocative music, among others. But I want… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
By Neil Landau In Hollywood, where episodic TV production budgets tend to be most substantial, showrunners will hire a staff of dedicated writers to bring a diversity of points of view into “the room,” and to maximize productivity, efficiency, and script quality. Staff writer jobs are highly coveted in Hollywood (and increasingly elsewhere) as “entry… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
By Neal Bell In traditional horror movies, there’s a fairly simple formula: ‘normality’ is threated by the monstrous (from bug-eyed alien to crazed human being)… The ‘normal’ fights back – and the story ends when the monster is either destroyed, or it lives to run amok again. But how does one create horror when there… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
By Loren-Paul Caplin Replicating normal, everyday conversation is not what makes strong scripted dialogue. Real conversations are typically boring, off-point, and if efficient in some respects, not particularly entertaining, nor should it be. In real life, we communicate for all sorts of reasons, and most of the reasons aren’t absolutely necessary. They often serve simple,… …
Written by Jody Michelle
Photo by Krists Luhaers. kristsluhaers.com Create the Right Screenplay Structure Written By Paula Brancato There are only three things a writer needs to know about screenplays: Structure. Structure. And structure. Structure is the way a screenplay unfolds, its hills and valleys, turning points and climaxes. Some screenplays have only two acts, and a few have… …
Written by StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Photo by Matthias Blonski. Follow IG @matthiasblonski Why You Need to Always Be Creating Written By Jared Isham “Never stop creating. Become great at what you do.” The idea is motivating and inspiring, yet more often than not – giving up only moments after the goal is declared is what inevitably happens. I’d wager that… …
