Story
Browse articles in our Story collection, with screenwriting advice and resources from Arc Studio.
Story
9 MINS READ / November 25, 2023
The Sense of an Ending: What Can Screenwriters Learn From the Final Season of The Crown
Peter Morgan's Epic Drama about the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II Comes to an End
Story
8 MINS READ / November 18, 2023
What Can We Learn From Apple TV's For All Mankind?
For All Mankind is an Epic Space Drama set in an Alternative Universe
Story
7 MINS READ / September 22, 2023
How to Write Like Greta Gerwig
Here's How You Can Become a Masterful Writer Like Greta Gerwig
Story
6 MINS READ / August 26, 2023
How to Write Romantic Comedy Movies and The Best Romantic Comedies
Diving Into Romantic Comedies
Story
5 MINS READ / June 23, 2023
How to Write a TV Procedural
Here's How You Can Write an Epic TV Procedural That Runs For Multiple Series
Story
7 MINS READ / June 16, 2023
Solving the Mystery of What Is Film Noir?
Film Noir is one the Most Interesting and Dark Genres But What Is It and How Can You Utilize It In Your Writing?
Story
5 MINS READ / April 6, 2023
What Makes a Great TV Show?
Let's examine the elements of a great TV Show and how you can replicate that in your work
Story
8 MIN READ / July 5, 2022
What Is Genre? Definition & Examples
Deciding what genre to write your script in can be a challenge. It helps to first consider what exactly genre is.
Story
4 MIN READ / June 24, 2022
The Best Quentin Tarantino Films: Key Takeaways for Screenwriters
Let's break down some of Quentin Tarantino's most famous films and see how we can apply his techniques to your writing.
Story
7 MIN READ / May 30, 2022
Top 10 Best Horror Films for Screenwriters
Are you a screenwriter looking to dip your toe into horror? Check out our top 10 best picks for horror films that will inspire your writing.
Story
4MIN READ / May 24, 2022
The Unbearable Weight of Going Meta
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a successful meta movie. Let’s take a look at this film and learn tips on how you can write your own meta narratives and characters.
Story
5 MIN READ / May 19, 2022
The Viking Hamlet: Comparing "The Northman" to Shakespeare
Comparing Robert Eggers’ "The Northman" and William Shakespeare’s "Hamlet" provides interesting insights into both stories.
Story
5MIN READ / April 5, 2022
What Is a Feature Film?
A feature film is more than just its length. It is an art form separate from short films.
Story
6MIN READ / April 5, 2022
9 Best Screenplays To Read (For Any Screenwriting Lesson)
Reading screenplays is a great way to learn the craft of screenwriting. Here are some of the best screenplays to read and learn from.
Story
7 MIN READ / January 20, 2022
The 15 Best Adapted Feature Screenplays of All Time
Looking for some inspiration for your screenplay? These 15 adapted screenplays may not be what you expected...
Story
6 MIN READ / December 27, 2021
How To Come Up With Short Film Ideas
Feeling like you have no good ideas? We'll help you get unstuck with our tips on how to come up short film ideas that rock.
Story
6 MIN READ / December 8, 2021
How Murder Mysteries Hook Us
How do murder mysteries hook us in? By planting clues, planning reveals, and putting the Why behind the Who, you can write a murder mystery that satisfies the audience.
Story
7 MIN READ / November 12, 2021
How To Write a Biopic
A biopic is a great option if you’re lost for ideas. But, how do you write a biopic and what is it?
Story
8 MIN READ / November 4, 2021
3 Best Movie Plot Twists
Movies with great twists keep us talking about them for days and years to come. We even like to go back and rewatch them. What makes a good twist? And how can you write a good twist into your script?
Story
6 MIN READ / September 30, 2021
The Hero's Journey
The hero's journey is a tale as old as time: the brave hero leaving home, embarking on a journey of improvement. What path will your hero follow?
Story
7 MIN READ / September 23, 2021
8 Essential Screenwriting Exercises to Hone Your Craft
These 8 screenwriting exercises will help any screenwriter focus and hone their craft. From character point-of-view to writing without an inner critic, there’s something for every skill-set.
Story
8 MIN READ / September 14, 2021
Everything You Need to Know About Writing Dystopian Screenplays
Dystopian fiction transports us to a world where humanity has gone astray. Here is everything you need to know about writing dystopian screenplays.
Story
8 MIN READ / September 7, 2021
How to Craft the Perfect Villain Monologue
Does your screenplay have a terrifying villain who gives a monologue? If not, we'll show you how to craft the perfect villain monologue!
Story
6 MIN READ / September 2, 2021
Plot vs. Story: What's the Difference?
What's the difference between plot vs. story? Here's everything you need to know and more!
Story
6 MIN READ / August 19, 2021
How To Construct a Plot Using a Frame Story
Learn how to use the classic storytelling technique of a frame story to construct your plot, capture your audience’s attention and add meaningful dimensions to your story.
Story
8 MIN READ / July 15, 2021
5 Classic Movie Tropes and How To Reinvent Them
Hate them or love them? Like any other writing tool, tropes can be used in clever, satisfying, unexpected ways.
Story
8 MIN READ / June 30, 2021
5 Steps To Adapt Your Novel Into a Screenplay
Paula Sheridan, Founder of Page Turner Awards, offers advice to self-published indie authors on how to get their books adapted into a screenplay.
Story
9 MIN READ / May 12, 2021
You Can’t Set Horror in Space… or Can You?
Can you set horror in space? Our hot take on the debate of the year on screenwriting twitter.
Story
9 MIN READ / April 21, 2021
How Does Emmy-Winning Writer Craig Mazin Structure a Story?
Learn how Craig Mazin, one of the most popular screenwriters working today, structures his stories through theme.
Story
4 MIN READ / April 17, 2021
Screenwriting Battle: 3-Act vs. 5-Act Story Structure
Story structure comparison: Learn how 3-act & 5-act structures compare & how to use them.
Story
9 MIN READ / March 18, 2021
Plot Point Breakdown: ‘Promising Young Woman’
Come and see how one of this year’s best screenplays works through every major plot point, from opening shot to the dramatic finale.
Story
6 MIN READ / February 24, 2021
The Queen’s English: How ‘The Crown’ Helps You Write Better Dialogue
Lessons on crafting perfect dialogue in your screenplay, this time from "The Crown".
Story
4 MIN READ / January 20, 2021
Make MacGuffins Great Again!
What's a MacGuffin? And how do you use it effectively? Avoid these traps to make them interesting.
![Save The Cat – An Overview [+ Free Template]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/93ldtxic/production/d141cf96875813d0c3f68c29fc0a1ba6d86f7410-990x558.jpg?w=1600&auto=format)
Story
10 MIN READ / November 27, 2020
Save The Cat – An Overview [+ Free Template]
Learn about Blake Snyder’s "Save the Cat," and how it helps screenwriters.
Story
9 MIN READ / September 18, 2020
How to Write Exposition
Learn how to write entertaining, seamless, and compact exposition that takes your script to the next level.
Story
8 MIN READ / July 31, 2020
How to End a Story
Learn how to draw your screenplay to a satisfying close and leave your reader with a glowing impression of your storytelling skills.
Story
7 MIN READ / July 24, 2020
Beginner’s Guide to Writing Science Fiction
Nine tips to help you write Science Fiction. Learn about soft and hard sci fi, the space wizard and more.
Story
7 MIN READ / June 26, 2020
Exploring the Cold Open
Learn what makes a great dramatic and comedic cold open that will grab your audience’s attention and engage them in the rest of your story.
Story
6 MIN READ / June 12, 2020
Seven Sci-Fi Weapons that Make Sense
Speculative Fiction writer Marcus Vance explores seven science fiction movie firearms, swords, and more that make sense from a tactical perspective.
Story
5 MIN READ / May 2, 2020
The Inciting Incident: Definition and Case Studies
The inciting incident is an essential part of your screenplay. So, what is it?
Story
7 MIN READ / April 9, 2020
The First Ten Pages of Your Script
Alex D. Reid explores the well-worn adage in screenwriting that the first ten pages of your screenplay make or break your chance of thrilling your audience.
Story
7 MIN READ / March 19, 2020
Anatomy of a Scare: How to Write Horror
Alex D. Reid writes about the pacing and structure of scares as well as the sub genres your horror script might fit into.
Story
8 MIN READ / January 24, 2020
Action Lines – What Can They Accomplish?
In this article, we’ll look at how to convey action visually without explicitly labeling camera shots and movement, and without resorting to using “we see.”
Story
9 MIN READ / January 5, 2020
Historical Drama Screenwriting: The Difference Between Real And Reel
In this article, we address the differences between fact and fiction in historical drama screenwriting. Using the miniseries Chernobyl as a case study, we look at the storytelling devices of fictionalized narratives in historical drama.
Story
11 MIN READ / December 5, 2019
5 Elements Of A Great Screenplay
Jakob Straub develops 5 essential element of a great screenplay: character, want and need, plot, structure and conflict.
