Michael Schilf




Michael is a Professor of Media Arts and English, teaching beginning and advanced collegiate screenwriting as well as mentoring writers and hosting workshops on The Formula, Michael Schilf brings his career as a professional screenwriter and over ten years of teaching experience to The Script Lab.

A lifelong film buff and movie lover, Schilf always knew he was going to write for film and television. He credits USC for teaching him first-rate fundamentals in the tools of the trade, but the highest honor goes to his wife for believing in him when no one else would.

Sequence 4: The First Culmination

Screenwriting Script Tips
Just when we think the situation can’t get worse, it does. When we’re convinced there’s no possible way our hero can get out of a jam, he gets out, only to end up in a worse jam. Obstacles! These major hurdles are the glue to Act Two. Your character has recovered from the first obstacle, only now to face a higher one. This new obstacle leads to rising action: every move the character makes traps him even more. Be merciless! Really squeeze your character. Make him work hard to reach the first culmination. This is the midpoint of the screenplay and a pivotal plot point,…

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Screenplay Five Plot Point Breakdowns
Screenplay Genre: Comedy / Crime / Thriller Movie Time: 82 minutes 1. INCITING INCIDENT Napoleon (Jon Heder), a lethargic loner in a small Idaho town, is introduced to newcomer Pedro (Efren Ramirez), who quickly becomes his best friend. (00:08:35)
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