In a world where attention spans are shrinking and content is consumed at lightning speed, vertical drama (sometimes known as micro dramas) have emerged as a popular form of storytelling. These ultra-short narratives try to pack the emotional depth of a full-length screenplay into just a few minutes, making them a perfect form of escapism for digital audiences in a hurry. But not only can these dramas be consumed quickly, they can also be made quickly and at an affordable cos

Rewatching David Lynch’s Twin Peaks 35 years later from a writer's perspective.

I don't want to brag, but, I'm really good at procrastination. Most writers are, but I think I take it to the next level.   And there’s...

Pedro Almodóvar wins at the 81st Venice Film Festival: What makes his screenplays so successful?

Watch the scene that introduced the world to Tony Soprano and note the use of silences and subtext!

Steps to creating a successful story concept that captures audience attention and sustains it over time.

Baby Reindeer from a writer's perspective: what is it about this story that has hit the mark with audiences?

5 TV scenes that illustrate how to reveal character and motivation in interesting and unique ways.

5 examples of female anti-heroes and how they're representing more complex female characters on screen.

Top 5 recent films that ridicule the rich. Learn how satire can effectively deliver a message to an audience without them switching off.

Stop just dreaming about how to be a writer and make your writing goals happen this year!

The TV drama I hated at first but grew to love has won the award for best TV drama series at the Golden Globes. Usually I'm a sucker for...

Adopt your inner Hemingway and a writer's mindset to get you through the dark side of the holiday season.

A story will leave an audience cold unless you populate it with engaging characters. But how can you create a compelling, believable protagonist people love to love or love to hate? Character creation is a layered process that starts with basic details and delves into deeper elements like backstory, relationships, and internal conflict. It's about creating a well-rounded, relatable, and compelling being that drives the story and leaves a lasting impression on the audience's m

Story Inkubator  was founded by writer, scriptwriter and teacher, Kristina Jilly, an Australian living in Central Europe who's written for HBO Europe and RTL Television. A teacher at the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria, Kristina also writes online content about the art of storytelling and topics that inspire creativity.  Subscribe  to  Story Inkubator  for our monthly newsletter and get two free workbooks on creating multi-dimensional characters and solid stor

Imagine a book without characters, a movie without a lead, a tale without a hero or a villain. Is it  even conceivable? What is a story without the heart beats that give it life? Its characters.   Welcome to the world of character creation; a realm where imagination and reality intertwine, giving birth to the very essence of storytelling. Creating a protagonist isn't merely about sketching a figure on a canvas. It's about breathing life into that figure, giving it a soul, a v

Change your life using an ancient story archetype, The Hero's Journey.

If you've always wanted to write a screenplay but are not sure where to start, here's a very brief introduction (in one and a half...

When Mad Men finished back in 2015, fellow devotees and I threw a themed cocktail party. But how to give Better Call Saul a proper send...

Writing the second draft of a script