Justin Kownacki

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Michael K Williams as Omar and Wendell Pierce as Bunk in The Wire
Storytelling

Writing a Perfect Scene: Bunk vs Omar in “The Wire”

When Bunk confronts Omar on The Wire, their argument is the perfect example of a scene that works on all 3 storytelling levels.

By Justin, 2 yearsSeptember 11, 2021 ago
Promotional image of the superhero team from The Snyder Cut of the Justice League movie
Storytelling

The Story Problem at the Heart of The Snyder Cut

Why The Snyder Cut and The Whedon Cut of Justice League actually tell two different stories

By Justin, 2 yearsApril 14, 2021 ago
Benny Watts (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) play chess for the U.S. Open Championship in Las Vegas in episode 3 of The Queen's Gambit
Storytelling

Why The Queen’s Gambit Is Such Smart Visual Storytelling

How specific writing, filming, and editing choices turned this story about chess and addiction into a masterclass in visual storytelling.

By Justin, 2 yearsDecember 1, 2020 ago
Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) drive to graduation in Booksmart
Storytelling

Is Booksmart One of the All-Time Best High School Comedies?

Booksmart, Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, is a glorious mess, just like its characters… and it works.

By Justin, 4 yearsMay 28, 2019 ago
Daenerys emerges victorious with her dragon behind her
Storytelling

Game of Thrones’s Biggest Surprise of All Was… a Satisfying Ending?

The final episode of Game of Thrones leaves no one entirely happy… and that’s exactly the way it should be.

By Justin, 4 yearsMay 20, 2019 ago
Jon Snow (Kit Harrington), Grey Worm of the Unsullied (Jacob Anderson), Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham) and their army enter the destroyed King's Landing in HBO's Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode "The Bells"
Storytelling

How “The Bells” Ruins Several Major Character Arcs in Game of Thrones

In the penultimate Game of Thrones episode “The Bells,” the show explores the ugly side of war, power, and consequences — but is it good storytelling?

By Justin, 4 yearsMay 13, 2019 ago
Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) watch the armies prepare for the Battle of Winterfell in "The Long Night" on HBO's Game of Thrones
Storytelling

Why Game of Thrones’ Battle of Winterfell Is Such Disappointing Storytelling

In “The Long Night,” Game of Thrones — a story built on unpredictability, mystery, and sacrifice — has now completely diverged from what made it great.

By Justin, 4 yearsApril 29, 2019 ago
Avengers: Endgame movie poster from Marvel Studios spotlighting the six original Avengers: Black Widow, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Captain America and the Hulk / Bruce Banner
Storytelling

How Avengers: Endgame Fulfills the Emotional Arcs of Marvel’s Characters

Avengers: Endgame owes its success to one word: character.

By Justin, 4 yearsApril 28, 2019 ago
Lady Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), Lord Jon Snow (Kit Harrington), and Queen Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) have some tense character moments in season 8 of HBO's Game of Thrones
Storytelling

This Lazy Dialogue Habit Is Making Game of Thrones Funny By Accident

Overusing this soap opera writing trope will turn your story’s drama into comedy.

By Justin, 4 yearsApril 24, 2019 ago
Chris Hemsworth as Billy Lee in Drew Goddard's movie Bad Times at the El Royale
Storytelling

What Went Wrong with Bad Times at the El Royale?

This caper flick wants you to believe it’s full of twists and turns… but it’s frustatingly empty.

By Justin, 4 yearsNovember 5, 2018 ago

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Popular Posts

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Latest Posts

  • • Worldbuilding and Exposition: 6 Writing Tips from Dune
  • • Writing a Perfect Scene: Bunk vs. Omar in The Wire
  • • Screenwriting Lessons from ALIENS
  • • The Story Problem at the Heart of the Snyder Cut
  • • WandaVision's Biggest Question Gets Deep
  • • Why The Queen's Gambit Is Such Smart Storytelling

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  • • Game of Thrones
  • • Marvel
  • • Star Wars

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