Category Archives: Screenwriting

How to Write Compelling Characters

July 7, 2022

So, you have an idea for a screenplay with a great plot, now what? Don’t forget the importance of writing well-rounded characters. Audiences need characters to hate, love, cherish, and tell the story fully. Without fully thought out characters, a movie or TV show can seem dull. Luckily, there are many tips and tricks on […]

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DFA Film Student Spotlight: Ayanda Chisholm

July 22, 2016

Student Spotlight What’s the biggest way in which the Digital Film Academy has affected student Ayanda Chisholm’s life? “Definitely the WebTV class,” she says. “I had never considered doing a web series before. Now I’ve completed two episodes and plan to finish an entire first season.” The web series, titled The Young, Black, and Gifted, […]

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DFA Student Spotlight: Jimmy Zdolshek

June 24, 2016

When he was only in high school, Jimmy Zdolshek’s video production teacher encouraged him to participate in “SkillsUSA,” an organization that sponsors a competition to promote career and technical development. When the short Zdolshek completed within 6 hours as part of the contest went on to win 1st place, Zdolshek says it was one of the best […]

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5 Keys to a High Concept in Film

June 16, 2016

If you work in film, you’ve most likely heard the phrase “high concept.” This is Hollywood’s ultimate buzz phrase, the Holy Grail for producers. It’s so important, 99% of producers will make a deal with a writer who has a genuine high concept, even if their writing is terrible. Why? Because it’s easy to sell […]

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Three Tips for Writing Great Characters

April 15, 2016

    A great character makes or breaks a film. It’s also what will get a major star to agree to sign on to a project. Having written a great character is money in the bank, so here are three helpful tips to help make yours the best they can be!     Don’t make […]

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DFA Grad Writing Screenplay for Ridley Scott!

June 11, 2014

Alexander Felix took a long road to Hollywood, but on the way, he kept his focus on his end goal: to write amazing screenplays. He credits his writing success to his real-life experiences and his filmmaking background. A graduate of the Digital Film Academy, he recalls his time there as extremely important because it taught […]

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4 Things Screenwriters Should Know About Selling Their Screenplays

May 15, 2014

I recently sold a screenplay. I’d previously done paid writing assignments, been hired to write scripts based off other people’s ideas … but this was the first time I sold one of my absolutely original, written-for-myself, feature-length scripts. So I want to impart some words of wisdom to other screenwriters about making a deal. PRICE […]

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4 Rules for Writing Your Screenplay

February 12, 2014

Writing seems both mysterious and easy. That’s because, to anyone other than the writer, the work is pretty much invisible. In reality, the easier a script was to write, the worse it probably is. Here are four simple rules to make your screenplay the best it can be. 1. Test your concept The hidden work […]

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