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Subtext in Dialogue: Lessons from ‘The West Wing’

The Power of Subtext in Screenwriting Let’s get one thing straight: dialogue is not just words. Sure, you could stick to the surface level, make your characters say exactly what they mean, and call it a day. But then you’d be missing out on the richest layer of storytelling—subtext. That’s right, the thing that makesContinue reading “Subtext in Dialogue: Lessons from ‘The West Wing’”

Redefining Heroism: A Study of Character Archetypes in ‘Wonder Woman’

The Classical Hero and Wonder Woman’s Departure For generations, the silver screen has portrayed a consistent idea of heroism. If we journey back in time, dissecting countless movies, we find a pattern: the classical hero – usually a strong-willed male, wrestling with his fate, often battling external evils to restore order. But screenwriting, like allContinue reading “Redefining Heroism: A Study of Character Archetypes in ‘Wonder Woman’”

Building Tension Through Setting: The Isolated Spaces of ‘The Shining’

Introduction to The Shining’s Masterful Use of Setting When you think about unforgettable film settings that amplify tension, there’s one name that likely sends shivers down your spine—The Overlook Hotel from Stanley Kubrick’s 1979 masterpiece “The Shining”. Sure, you might attribute the film’s terrifying moments to Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance or to Stephen King’s originalContinue reading “Building Tension Through Setting: The Isolated Spaces of ‘The Shining’”

Navigating the Uncanny Valley: Writing for Video Games vs. Films

Introduction and The Uncanny Valley in Storytelling The phrase “Uncanny Valley” may sound like something ripped straight from an H.P. Lovecraft novella, but it’s a concept often used in robotics and artificial intelligence to describe the unsettling feeling we get when we encounter something almost human, but not quite. Whether it’s a hyper-realistic android orContinue reading “Navigating the Uncanny Valley: Writing for Video Games vs. Films”

Epistolary Novels in the Digital Age: Are Emails the New Letters?

The Timeless Allure of Epistolary Novels: A Brief History If there’s one genre that has persistently captured the imaginations of both readers and writers, it’s the epistolary novel. At its most fundamental level, the form uses a series of documents—traditionally letters—to construct a narrative. It might appear like a relic from the age of quillsContinue reading “Epistolary Novels in the Digital Age: Are Emails the New Letters?”