Latest Articles
10 Downloadable Unproduced Superhero Screenplays
Blockbuster season may be fading, but heroes never really die, they just linger in forgotten drafts. From Nicolas Cage’s Superman to Cameron’s very R-rated Spider-Man, we’ve unearthed 10 unproduced superhero screenplays. Some brilliant, some bizarre, all proof that not every cape makes it to the screen.
Decomposer: A post-COVID reflection on nature, humanity, and stillness [Podcast]
Join John Schramm with Andre Ford, Georgina George, and Chaya Amor as they dive into Decomposer, a top 3 Kinolime finalist. With haunting visuals, a tragic anti-hero, and themes of ecology and identity, the panel explores why this eerie, poetic horror screenplay simply deserves to be made.
How to Build a Short Film That Gets Made — From Script to Screen
Dreaming up a short film is easy; bringing it to life is where the real challenge begins. From juggling locations, budgets, and crews to writing with production in mind, success comes down to strategy. Here’s how to craft a short that not only gets made but leaves an unforgettable mark on audiences.
How to Copyright Your Screenplay to Protect Your Ideas
Worried someone might steal your script? You’re not alone. Copyright doesn’t protect “big ideas” but the specific words and scenes you’ve written.
From registering with the U.S. Copyright Office to WGA claims and trademarks, we’ll break down how to secure your screenplay and keep your work undeniably yours.
How the Kinolime Shorts Competition Works (and Why It’s Different)
Tired of contests that charge fees and deliver nothing? Kinolime’s short film competition offers no submission fees, real funding ($7,500 + $500), producer mentorship, and audience voting that actually matters. Keep your rights, make your film, and let your story shine.
Past Short Films That Made It Big: What We Can Learn
From Whiplash to The Babadook, some of the biggest films began as bold, brilliant shorts. Let’s unpack what makes a short film stand out, why they matter, and how studying the best can sharpen your own storytelling craft. Start small, think big — and make every frame count.
Interview with Cooperville Writer, Andre Ford [Podcast]
John Schramm and Danny Murray interview Andre Ford, a screenwriter who created "Cooperville," a horror-comedy screenplay that was a top 3 finalist for Kinolime’s Feature Film competition.
10 Critical Steps to Good Character Development
Great characters are the heartbeat of any screenplay, the thread that ties every scene together. Without them, even the most intricate plot can feel hollow. Through 10 essential steps, you’ll learn how to shape characters with purpose, layered depth, and arcs so compelling they don’t just carry the story—they make it unforgettable, drawing audiences into your world and holding them there long after the credits roll.
Q&A: Breaking Into Hollywood, Movie Star Attitudes & Industry Problems [Podcast]
John Schramm and Danny Murray tackle viewer questions in a rapid-fire mailbag session covering the current state of breaking into Hollywood, whether they'd prefer making divisive or universally liked films, and cinema trends they're pushing back against.
Summer Blockbuster Royal Rumble: Can Anyone Dethrone Jaws? [Podcast]
John Schramm and Danny Murray dive into the history and definition of the summer blockbuster, starting with the fascinating origin story of how World War II newsreels inspired the term "blockbuster."
Antagonists in Movies: The making of Villains, Foils and Obstacles
Antagonists raise stakes, test flaws, and drive the story forward. They're not always villains—sometimes they're inner demons, rivals, or society itself. The best ones challenge the hero's values and goals, revealing who they truly are. No great story exists without great opposition.
Script Beginning: Writing Your First Script Page
Every great film begins with a blank page, and this guide helps you conquer it. From idea to outline, logline to final draft, we walk you through the essentials of writing your first screenplay. Demystify the process, embrace imperfection, and start creating the story only you can tell.
14 Best British Screenplays to Download
What makes a screenplay quintessentially British? The dry wit? Quiet melancholy? A well-timed pub-side tirade? Explore 14 of the greatest British screenplays you should read and study —from 28 Days Later’s apocalyptic tension to the tender stillness of Aftersun. Spanning decades and genres, each script is a masterclass in tone, voice, and identity.
11 Best Foreign Language Screenplays
Western cinephiles too often miss the brilliance unfolding beyond English-speaking screens. This curated list of 11 remarkable foreign-language screenplays- available in English—invites you to explore bold storytelling, rich cultural nuance, and the true global artistry of cinema.
The Ultimate Film Grants List for Every Screenwriter
Film grants can be the key to turning your script into a finished film — without the debt. Let’s break down the best grants out there, what decision-makers really want, and how to craft a winning application that gets your story funded and seen.
The Top Three Screenplay Table Reads are here – Which story will you choose?
Three scripts. One life-changing production deal. Table reads, Lime$ rewards, and a shot to cast the next cult classic. The Waif made it—because you voted. Now it’s time to do it again. Watch, read, listen… then cast the vote that could launch cinema’s next breakout story.
Best Opening Scenes in Movies
A killer shark, a grieving widower, a scheming Joker , what do they have in common? They nailed the first impression. From Pixar to Nolan, the best films hook us before the popcorn cools. Let’s dive into the art of the iconic opening scene, and why yours better be unforgettable.
Vague Endings: Genius or Lazy?
Once a powerful storytelling tool, vague endings have become a common fixture in modern cinema, often substituting ambiguity for resolution. Examine when such endings enhance a film’s meaning and when they signal a troubling trend: symbolism over story, and praise over payoff.
What Truly Makes a Screenplay Great (And Why It Matters)
What makes a screenplay truly great? It’s not merely sharp dialogue or memorable characters, it’s the careful weaving of structure, stakes, originality, and emotional depth. Explore the essential elements of screenwriting and elevate every page you write.
(More Than) 10 Screenplays that Break the Rules
Some of the most iconic screenplays didn’t just tell great stories, they broke the rules to do it. From nonlinear narratives to wild formatting, find out how boundary-pushing scripts rewrite the playbook, and why sometimes, breaking the rules is the rule.