screenwriting Archives - Justin Kownacki

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.

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

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

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

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

From a philosophy perspective, the most important part of WandaVision is what the series makes us question about ourselves.

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

The ensemble cast of Black Sails proves that writing complex characters in pursuit of opposing goals creates highly compelling storytelling.

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

Cobra Kai’s pilot episode shows why every villain thinks he’s the hero of his own story… and why he’s also his own worst enemy.