Latest Articles
The Summer of Love: A Call Me by Your Name Script Analysis
Sun-drenched, seductive, and soaked in longing—Call Me By Your Name isn’t just a romance, it’s a rites-of-passage fever dream. Between peaches, piano solos, and painfully shy glances, Elio stumbles into adulthood one heartbreak at a time. Love fades, but that summer stays scorched in memory.
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.
Is This the Funniest Screenplay of All Time? A Superbad Script Analysis
Comedy is subjective, but Superbad makes a strong case for universal appeal. With its mix of absurd humor, heartfelt friendship, and endlessly quotable lines, it nails the trifecta of a great comedy: a funny plot, unforgettable characters, and genuinely sharp jokes. Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg from the chaos of their own adolescence, it captures teen awkwardness with rare honesty—and even rarer hilarity. Nearly two decades later, it’s still as iconic as ever.
X Marks the Story Beat: Mapping the Script Behind The Curse of the Black Pearl
Before it became a billion-dollar franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a masterclass in adventurous, witty, and tightly-structured screenwriting. We dive into cursed treasure, iconic intros, and how Jack Sparrow sailed a perfect script into legend.
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.
The Votes Are In: MOB MENTALITY Wins the 2025 Spring Kinolime Competition!
After months of voting, debates, and unforgettable table reads, the Kinolime community has crowned a winner: MOB MENTALITY by Eric Landau. This audacious, heartfelt comedy about a kid who thinks he’s John Gotti stole your hearts—and now it’s headed into full production.
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.
Hurt by What You Love: A Sound of Metal Script Analysis
What happens when the thing you love most begins to destroy you? Sound of Metal isn’t just a story about hearing loss, it’s a raw, compassionate portrait of addiction, identity, and the painful clarity that comes with learning to let go, rebuild, and sit in the silence of acceptance.
Steven Fingleton: From Nolan Fanboy to BAFTA Director - Making 'The Waif' & Going for the Rafters [Podcast]
Fingleton shares insights about breaking into the industry with "The Survivalist," working with Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham, and his philosophy of "going for the rafters" - making classics rather than programmers.
California & Texas Boost Film Tax Incentives: A New Era for Production [Podcast]
John Schramm and Danny Murray discuss the significant film tax incentive updates from California and Texas, marking a potential turning point for American film production.
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.
Weapons - Horror’s Third Act Problem
Zach Cregger’s Weapons loads with eerie promise and fires off a chilling first act—but by the third, the barrel’s empty. What starts as razor-sharp horror slips into a muddled finale, raising more questions than it answers. A masterclass in setup... and a cautionary tale in payoff.
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.
Kevin Smith at His Most Human: A Chasing Amy Script Analysis
Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy goes beyond romance to explore human flaws with surprising depth. Leaving behind the crudeness of his earlier work, Smith tackles jealousy, identity, and toxic masculinity through the story of a comic book artist in love with someone outside his world. It's a raw, honest look at vulnerability and growth.
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.
James Gunn on Unfinished Screenplays: A Deep Dive Discussion [Podcast]
John Schramm and Danny Murray discuss James Gunn's comments on unfinished screenplays, studio development problems, and advice for aspiring writers.
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.