The Art of Screenplay Adaptations
adaptation. [ ăd′ăp-tā′shən ] A change in structure, function, or behavior by which a species or individual improves its chance of survival in a specific environment. In a similar fashion, adapted screenplays are based on pre-existing material or sources and developed for film or television. The most common adaptations range from novels, stage plays, articles, […]
How Do Dual Protagonists Function In Screenwriting?
In the dramatic arts, Thespis of Icaria was the first known person to embody a character from a written play before a crowd, thus introducing the protagonist to the world. The protagonist is the main character of the story. They are the central driving force of the narrative and undergo the greatest physical, emotional, intellectual, […]
How Screenwriters Can Successfully Use Voice-over & Narration
Voice-over gets a bad rap. To the point of being derided as kryptonite to your screenplay. Use it at your own risk! One of the most exhausted pieces of advice to be spread in Intro to Screenwriting classes everywhere is to never, ever use voice-over — so help you, god. Of course, this is mostly rubbish, […]
Applying Symbolism to Your Script
We previously discussed why symbols are used in screenwriting. In this follow-up article Creative Screenwriting Magazine contributor, Kevin Nelson discusses how to apply your knowledge of symbols to your screenplay. 1) Genre Genres rely on conventional narrative elements that invite certain story expectations and garner specific emotional responses. There are four major genres […]
Symbolism In Screenwriting
Everyone gets lost sometimes. In order to find our way back from our wanderings, we search for familiar markers, signs, or symbols to guide us where we need to go, whether in our lives or stories. So let’s not search blindly through the forest or gaze at the heavens for answers, but huddle our minds […]
