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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

In screenwriting, a “beat” is more than just a pause, it’s the heartbeat of your story. From emotional pivots to dramatic turns, beats shape both the overall arc and the small, defining moments that bring characters to life. Whether you’re mapping plot points or refining a scene’s rhythm, understanding beats can sharpen your storytelling and keep audiences engaged.

Short films are more than just bite-sized cinema, they’re bold, focused showcases of a filmmaker’s voice. For emerging storytellers, they offer creative freedom, career momentum, and a proving ground for ideas that can one day scale to the big screen. Here’s why they truly matter.

From Darth Vader to Cersei Lannister, cinema’s most unforgettable villains aren’t just obstacles, they’re fully realized characters with convictions, complexities, and chilling charisma. Dive deep into the villain archetype, explore what elevates an antagonist into a truly compelling force of opposition. With insights into motivation, danger, and psychological nuance.