Justin Kownacki

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Don't Look Up is a good example of three-act structure in Hollywood movies
Storytelling

Three-Act Structure in Movies, Explained

Most Hollywood films follow the same three-act structure. Here’s how it works, and why almost every screenplay uses it.

By Justin, 1 year ago
Dune 2021 cast promotional poster
Storytelling

Worldbuilding and Exposition: 7 Writing Tips from Dune

The most impressive thing about Denis Villeneuve’s Dune might be the way it makes a complex story understandable without dumbing it down.

By Justin, 1 yearNovember 6, 2021 ago
Storytelling

10 Screenwriting Tips from ALIENS

These script excerpts show why James Cameron’s screenplay for ALIENS is considered one of the best sequels of all time

By Justin, 2 yearsJuly 9, 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
Daisy Ridley stars as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Storytelling

The Storytelling Flaw That Ruined the New Star Wars Trilogy

There’s something missing from the new Star Wars trilogy, and without it, none of the characters can find satisfying closure.

By Justin, 3 yearsSeptember 10, 2020 ago
Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker movie poster
Storytelling

The Mystery Box Is Broken, and Here’s How to Fix It

From Lost to Game of Thrones to The Rise of Skywalker, the “mystery box” style of storytelling is coming up short. Here’s why — and how to fix it.

By Justin, 3 yearsApril 5, 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
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
Hugh Jackman, Zach Galifianakis, and Zoe Saldana are the voice actors of Sir Lionel Frost, Susan the Sasquatch, and Adelina Fortnight in Laika's animated movie Missing Link
Storytelling

The Unfortunate Lesson Storytellers Should Learn from Missing Link

Laika’s biggest animated fim is missing a crucial element that causes the movie to fall short of satisfying.

By Justin, 4 yearsApril 24, 2019 ago
Zachary Levi stars as Billy Batson in the Warner Bros. DC superhero movie Shazam!
Storytelling

The 3 Biggest Storytelling Problems in Shazam!

A hero is only as good as his villain, and that’s where Shazam’s plot problems start.

By Justin, 4 yearsApril 6, 2019 ago

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Popular Posts

  • • What Makes Game of Thrones So Addictive?
  • • This Storytelling Flaw Ruined the New Star Wars Trilogy
  • • Why Does Every Marvel Movie Tell the Same Story?
  • • Cobra Kai: How to Build Character Through Conflict
  • • How Iron Man Created the Formula for Every Marvel Movie

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

Frequent Topics

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

What Writing Skill Do You Want to Improve?

  • • Character
  • • Pacing
  • • Plot
  • • Story Structure
  • • Theme
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