One of my favorite things about screenwriting is all the excellent terms and phrases that come with creating for the screen. Of course, things like Chekhov's gun, beats, and sluglines are all important to learn about and use. But I would say the granddaddy of all the adages in screenwriting, and also maybe the most important one, is, "Show, don't tell." If you've attended film school, read any of the posts on screenwriting from this website, or nerded out listening to screenwriters talk, then you have heard those words before. But what does that mean? And how can you define it? Today, I'm going to go over the meaning of "Show, don't tell," provide some examples, and also talk about why this is maybe the most important thing to remember as you continue on your writing journey. Even if you think you've mastered it, there's always more to learn. Incredible "Show, Don't Tell" Examples and Definition in Film and Television As I mentioned above, this phrase has been circling since the dawn of screenwriting time. Chances are you were told it once and may have forgotten, or maybe you've watched so many TV shows and movies that you just inherently know what it means because it's part of cinematic language. I have a master's in screenwriting from Boston University, which puts me around $200,000 in debt and greatly affects what I can afford. But I now get to tell you what "Show, don't tell" means for free, so I...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Wednesday, 28 August, 2024