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Make Compelling Videos That Go Viral

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Reframe Your Thinking

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Wirecutter

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Cinematography

Case Study: Frost/Nixon

Visual Storytelling: Cinematic Techniques

Nonfiction Cinematography

Martin's Education

Developing Your Style

Finding the Story

Understanding Cinematography

Photo Studies: Mountain Architecture

Introduction

Editing

Finding Your Personal Story

Exploring the Big Idea in Film

Vision

Direct With Honest Leadership

Refine and Compose the Final Details

Apply Literary Techniques to Films

Editing: Part 1

Editing: Principles

Financing First Films

Camera: Shooting Strategy

Camera: Cinematography

Career Strategy

Directing & Technology

Stretching Your Budget

On-Set Directing

Spike's Film 101s Pt. 1

Collaborating With Your Director of Photography

Closing

Directing: Shooting Comedy

Breaking the Rules

Prep and Moving Into the Doing

The Art of Low-Budget Filmmaking

Connecting With Your Audience

Technical Best Practices: Cameras, Lenses, Lighting

Creating Better Visuals: B-Roll and Editing

Create Great Films on a Budget

Reading: Connecting With Poetry

Discussion With Marie Howe: William Shakespeare

Finding Your Voice: Influences

Finding Your Voice: Creating a Persona

Discussion With Marie Howe: Writing Poetry

A Poet's Journey

Using Poetry to Understand Language

Before Writing, Read 

Researching Your Poem

Finding Your Unique Poetic Voice 

Revision, Revision, Revision 

Case Study: Editing & Revision 

Listening Comes Before Writing

Imagery and Form

Writing and Revising

Elevate Your Poetry Skills

"Stranger Things" Season 4 Behind the Scenes

Developing the Film

Production Design

What It Takes

Leading a Successful Shoot

Directors: Part 2

Acting on a Film Set

Locations

Leading The Platoon

Life as a Filmmaker

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Resourcefulness Is Everything

Overcome Obstacles in Filmmaking

Music and Scoring

The Power of Music

Directors: Part 1

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Sound Palettes

Music Diary: Sherlock Holmes

Feedback & Revisions

Audience Feedback

Music

Developing a Visual Palette

Sound and Music

Music Is Key

Score Emotionally Charged Music

Film & TV

Teaches Screenwriting

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Scripting Your Own Success

Mindy Kaling

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Steve Martin

Steve Martin Teaches Comedy

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The Duffer Brothers

Teaches Writing for Television

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

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Ron Howard

Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Ken Burns

Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Parris Goebel

Teaches Film Scoring

Hans Zimmer

Teaches Filmmaking

Werner Herzog

Martin Scorsese

Teaches Music for Film

Danny Elfman

A Documentary by Academy Award Nominee Andrea Nevins

The Cowboy and the Queen

A Documentary by Andrea Nevins

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Samuel L. Jackson

Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Mira Nair

Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Issa Rae

A Documentary Film From Artist JR

Tehachapi

A Documentary by Artist JR

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Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright Teaches Voice Acting

Spike Lee

Icons and Their Influences

Talking Shop

Jodie Foster

Judd Apatow

Teaches Creativity and Film

David Lynch

Ava DuVernay

James Cameron

Marques Brownlee

Motion graphics is a facet of [visual effects](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-visual-effects-work-in-film) (or <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-visual-effects-work-in-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-visual-effects-work-in-film","linkCopy":"VFX","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>VFX</a>) and animation in which designers give text, shapes, and graphics the appearance of movement.

As an example, think of how often news stations utilize this sort of animated design to showcase “Breaking News” and other segments. Motion graphics are common in films, [music videos](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-music-video), advertisements, and online content. Pure motion graphics videos—in the case of some explainer content or lyric videos for bands—also exist.

Motion graphics come into play during the post-production process, during which motion graphics designers work with video editors to finalize the appearance of video content.
In a literal sense, motion graphics are, indeed, a facet of [animation](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-the-history-of-animation). Motion graphics designers animate text, for example. Still, throughout the video production world, it’s useful to know the main differences between each subset of animated material—especially given the fact animation can be a broad catch-all term.

Both motion graphics design and more typical forms of animation create the appearance of movement, but the main difference between the two art forms is the subject matter of this motion. For instance, animation often refers to character animation. Think of your favorite animated sitcom or children’s movie. On the flip side, motion graphics almost exclusively deals in the typical elements of graphic design: text, shapes, and basic images.
Motion graphics become more and more ubiquitous every year. Consider these three common types of motion graphic content:

1. __Advertisements__: It’s common for advertisers to use this art form to spruce up their content. This might include animating their logo, utilizing transitions from one scene in a commercial to another, and other enhancements in [advertisements](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-an-unforgettable-advertisement). Consider the case of an explainer video ad using an infographic. In this case, a motion designer could make it look like a graph draws itself on screen.
2. __Film credits__: In the past, film credits were largely stationary. One set of names would appear after another in a series of stills. Now, these segments are often animated videos, and some movies have ornate motion graphic title sequences.
3. __Website copy__: You can build motion graphics into your website’s user interface. Moving text and graphics are common in web design. There’s also an exciting potentiality for user interaction when it comes to triggering these small animations through clicks, scrolls, and other movements.
To become a motion graphics professional, you need to understand both animation and the basics of graphic design. Here are some fundamental tips to remember as you set out to make your own motion graphics:

- __Collaborate effectively__. Motion graphics design is just one aspect of the overall video production process. You might work with directors, editors, voiceover actors, and others to create this sort of content. Strive for a workflow that makes sense for everybody and do your part to bring together a cohesive [creative vision](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-realizing-your-creative-vision-in-film). 
- __Consider the concept__. Graphics and kinetic [typography](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide) are entertaining in their own right, but they need to coalesce with a larger creative concept to sustain interest over a period of time. Ask what the purpose of your project is. Perhaps it’s to drive conversions and meet sales goals, in which case your transitions and designs might nudge viewers to take action. Or maybe it’s to build a movie title sequence capable of summing up the overall aesthetic of a film.
- __Learn about animation__. Look into both 3D and 2D animation techniques as you begin to learn how to make motion graphics. Consult online videos and tutorials about what makes animation work in a general sense. Even though motion graphics are a unique subset of the field as a whole, knowing your way around the subject in a general and pragmatic sense is useful.
- __Make use of technology__. Find digital compositing and animation software that works for you, as well as a [film editing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-film-and-video-editingprocess) or video editing program. If you’re working with a team, make sure you’re all using compatible applications to synchronize your individual work. Research what types of technology will help you best put your design elements on display. Many of these programs come with basic motion graphics templates you can toy around with as well.
- __Study graphic design__. To become adept at motion graphics design, you need to know your way around basic graphic design as well. Study what makes certain types of [color](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel), typography, and images work well together. The more you learn about elegant and beautiful design in general, the more you can apply what you discover in a unique and distinctive way.
Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director","linkCopy":"art director","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>art director</a> of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more.
Any time you’ve watched text or basic graphics move around on a screen—from film intros to online ads—you’ve seen the power of motion graphics at work. These animated pieces of content have brought life and movement to previously static elements. Learn more about how motion graphics animation can take almost any form of multimedia to the next level.

Any time you’ve watched text or basic graphics move around on a screen—from film intros to online ads—you’ve seen the power of motion graphics at work. These animated pieces of content have brought life and movement to previously static elements. Learn more about how motion graphics animation can take almost any form of multimedia to the next level.

Motion Graphics: How to Make Motion Graphics

Motion graphics is a facet of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-visual-effects-work-in-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-visual-effects-work-in-film","linkCopy":"visual effects","category":null}'>visual effects</a> (or <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-visual-effects-work-in-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-visual-effects-work-in-film","linkCopy":"VFX","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>VFX</a>) and animation in which designers give text, shapes, and graphics the appearance of movement.As an example, think of how often news stations utilize this sort of animated design to showcase “Breaking News” and other segments. Motion graphics are common in films, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-music-video' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-music-video","linkCopy":"music videos","category":null}'>music videos</a>, advertisements, and online content. Pure motion graphics videos—in the case of some explainer content or lyric videos for bands—also exist.Motion graphics come into play during the post-production process, during which motion graphics designers work with video editors to finalize the appearance of video content.

What Is Motion Graphics?

In a literal sense, motion graphics are, indeed, a facet of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-the-history-of-animation' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-the-history-of-animation","linkCopy":"animation","category":null}'>animation</a>. Motion graphics designers animate text, for example. Still, throughout the video production world, it’s useful to know the main differences between each subset of animated material—especially given the fact animation can be a broad catch-all term.Both motion graphics design and more typical forms of animation create the appearance of movement, but the main difference between the two art forms is the subject matter of this motion. For instance, animation often refers to character animation. Think of your favorite animated sitcom or children’s movie. On the flip side, motion graphics almost exclusively deals in the typical elements of graphic design: text, shapes, and basic images.

Motion Graphics vs. Animation: Similarities and Differences

Motion graphics become more and more ubiquitous every year. Consider these three common types of motion graphic content:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Advertisements: It’s common for advertisers to use this art form to spruce up their content. This might include animating their logo, utilizing transitions from one scene in a commercial to another, and other enhancements in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-an-unforgettable-advertisement' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-an-unforgettable-advertisement","linkCopy":"advertisements","category":null}'>advertisements</a>. Consider the case of an explainer video ad using an infographic. In this case, a motion designer could make it look like a graph draws itself on screen. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Film credits: In the past, film credits were largely stationary. One set of names would appear after another in a series of stills. Now, these segments are often animated videos, and some movies have ornate motion graphic title sequences. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Website copy: You can build motion graphics into your website’s user interface. Moving text and graphics are common in web design. There’s also an exciting potentiality for user interaction when it comes to triggering these small animations through clicks, scrolls, and other movements. </li></ol>

3 Examples of Motion Graphics

To become a motion graphics professional, you need to understand both animation and the basics of graphic design. Here are some fundamental tips to remember as you set out to make your own motion graphics:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Collaborate effectively. Motion graphics design is just one aspect of the overall video production process. You might work with directors, editors, voiceover actors, and others to create this sort of content. Strive for a workflow that makes sense for everybody and do your part to bring together a cohesive <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-realizing-your-creative-vision-in-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-realizing-your-creative-vision-in-film","linkCopy":"creative vision","category":null}'>creative vision</a>. </li><li class="">Consider the concept. Graphics and kinetic <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typography-design-guide","linkCopy":"typography","category":null}'>typography</a> are entertaining in their own right, but they need to coalesce with a larger creative concept to sustain interest over a period of time. Ask what the purpose of your project is. Perhaps it’s to drive conversions and meet sales goals, in which case your transitions and designs might nudge viewers to take action. Or maybe it’s to build a movie title sequence capable of summing up the overall aesthetic of a film. </li><li class="">Learn about animation. Look into both 3D and 2D animation techniques as you begin to learn how to make motion graphics. Consult online videos and tutorials about what makes animation work in a general sense. Even though motion graphics are a unique subset of the field as a whole, knowing your way around the subject in a general and pragmatic sense is useful. </li><li class="">Make use of technology. Find digital compositing and animation software that works for you, as well as a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-film-and-video-editingprocess' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-film-and-video-editingprocess","linkCopy":"film editing","category":null}'>film editing</a> or video editing program. If you’re working with a team, make sure you’re all using compatible applications to synchronize your individual work. Research what types of technology will help you best put your design elements on display. Many of these programs come with basic motion graphics templates you can toy around with as well. </li><li class="">Study graphic design. To become adept at motion graphics design, you need to know your way around basic graphic design as well. Study what makes certain types of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/color-theory-basics-understanding-the-color-wheel","linkCopy":"color","category":null}'>color</a>, typography, and images work well together. The more you learn about elegant and beautiful design in general, the more you can apply what you discover in a unique and distinctive way. </li></ul>

How to Make Motion Graphics

Get a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director","linkCopy":"art director","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>art director</a> of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more.

Want to Learn More About Tapping Into Your Graphic Design Genius?

Any time you’ve watched text or basic graphics move around on a screen—from film intros to online ads—you’ve seen the power of motion graphics at work. These animated pieces of content have brought life and movement to previously static elements. Learn more about how motion graphics animation can take almost any form of multimedia to the next level.

Any time you’ve watched text or basic graphics move around on a screen—from film intros to online ads—you’ve seen the power of motion graphics at work. These animated pieces of content have brought life and movement to previously static elements. Learn more about how motion graphics animation can take almost any form of multimedia to the next level.


Video editor adding motion graphics to video.

motion-graphics

Exposition is a literary term that refers to the background information the audience needs to know for the world of your story to make sense. (Another definition of exposition is the technique of providing this kind of information in a story or film.) Exposition includes anything from character introductions to set details and dialogue, and is most common at the beginning of the story.

The main purpose of exposition is to illuminate the motivations of a film’s characters, as well as the crucial details and circumstances that define their dramatic situation. Effective exposition adds vital, interesting information to the world of the story so that the audience can comprehend the central dramatic narrative. Exposition can also be used to foreshadow an important event, or justify a character’s skills and decisions. 
There are several ways to use exposition to convey the background of the characters and events in a film. Here are some of the most popular types of exposition.

1. __Dialogue__. A conversation between two or more characters allows for simple and effective exposition in a single scene. 
2. __Narration__. Narration, or voiceover, is a way to <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicate","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicate</a> a character’s true thoughts and desires, or give omniscient insight into a situation. 
3. __Mise-en-scène__. [Mise-en-scène are props and other things that are seen](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mise-en-scene-in-film), but not heard, in a scene. These details, while seemingly subtle, can convey a significant amount of information in a short amount of time. 
4. __Text or title cards__. Perhaps the most straightforward method, text or title cards can contain all the relevant information your audience will need to know, before the film even begins. 
5. __Flashback__. There are multiple ways to convey past events in a present narrative, but flashbacks are the most visual as they place your character in context (versus having them simply recount the event, as they might in dialogue or narration). 

To illustrate how effective exposition can enhance a film and captivate an audience, here are five examples of exposition through the years.

1. __“Rear Window” (1954)__: Director Alfred Hitchcock is a master of exposition, and this film is a perfect example. Hitchcock uses a continuous, three-minute shot to introduce the viewer to Jeff’s neighbors via their daily habits, as well as the mise-en-scène of their apartments. This expository scene gives viewers a taste of the voyeurism that is to come, and drops hints about how each character will figure into the story.
2. __“GoodFellas” (1990)__: Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed mob movie makes extensive use of voiceover from main character Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) to deliver exposition. However, perhaps the best example of exposition in the film is when Henry leads his girlfriend, Karen, through the back entrance of a nightclub. The respect Henry receives from every person he sees, along with exclusivity and security of their route, tell us everything we need to know about what it means to be a gangster.
3. __“Shaun of the Dead” (2004)__: TV news and radio are often used as vehicles to deliver exposition in film. But director Edgar Wright puts a unique spin on the technique in this exposition example: rather than witnessing a continuous news segment, the viewer experiences this information in bits and pieces as bored and distracted main character Shaun flips through TV channels and wanders to a convenience store. The comedy of Shaun’s obliviousness, along with the tension of the scene, make for effective exposition.
4. __“Up” (2009)__: In what is also an excellent example of a [film montage](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-montage-in-filmmaking-how-to-create-a-memorable-montage), “Up” opens with a series of images that guide us through main character Carl Fredriksen’s relationship with his wife, Ellie. In the span of just a couple of dialogue-free minutes, we experience the joy, love, and loss of the couple’s many years together. This scene is one of the best examples of exposition in recent film history. In fact, film critic Peter Bradshaw called the montage “a masterclass in narrative exposition.”
5. __“I, Tonya” (2017)__: In this example of exposition, main character Tonya Harding (played by Margot Robbie) “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-breaking-the-fourth-wall-works-in-film-and-tv' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-breaking-the-fourth-wall-works-in-film-and-tv","linkCopy":"breaks the fourth wall","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>breaks the fourth wall</a>” to deliver key information about her life. The technique works, in part, because these scenes also reveal Tonya’s character in interesting ways, highlighting her resentment and stubbornness as well as her grit and determination to succeed as an Olympic figure skater.

You know the world of your story inside out, but now it's time to put it on paper and share it with audiences. If you're struggling with finding a good starting point or balancing how much information to present, try the following tips for effective expository writing.

1. __Show, don’t tell__. Movies are a form of visual storytelling, which is why one of the basic tenets of <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter","linkCopy":"screenwriting","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>screenwriting</a> is to “show, don’t tell.” This means that you should always “show” things to the audience through action or character behavior as opposed to simply “telling” the audience. If you “show, don’t tell” well, you might not even need an exposition. 
2. __Weave exposition into the rising action__. Good exposition is laid out without impeding the story and is seamlessly embedded within a scene. Move the central dramatic narrative forward at the same time that you lay out exposition. Describe how a bomb works at the same time as the hero is trying to detonate it. Explain how evil a bad guy is as the hero is actively running away from him.
3. __Supplement the visuals__. Use narration or voice-over to add to the action that is taking place on screen. While some visual clues are better left for the audience to decipher, others can benefit from the clarity or context that a narrator can provide with supplemental information.
4. <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-developing-strong-characters' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-developing-strong-characters","linkCopy":"Create characters","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>Create characters</a> who act as a “stand in” for the audience. One way to get through exposition in your screenplay is to have at least one character early on who is a stand-in for the audience; Rashida Jones’s character in *The Social Network*, or Chrisann in *Steve Jobs* for example, because they ask questions of the main character that the audience might have. He or she will help introduce the characters and the world without causing viewers to be bogged down with excessive or conspicuous exposition.
5. __Use arguments to your advantage__. In real life, arguments naturally escalate and romantic partners often bring up past events during fights making it an ideal scene to slip in background information. A fight about household duties between lovers can escalate to the point where the wife brings up her husband’s infidelity from 15 years earlier. This exposition feels natural because we believe that the wife may not be over the past infidelity and would mention it in the heat of the moment.
6. __Be brief—less is more__. Only say as much as you need to for the audience to understand the story. Try writing a monologue for your character, exploring his or her entire background and back story. Then, start chipping away at it. How much of this information is important, and how much is ancillary detail? How much can you show in the mise en scène versus having to say out loud? For example, does the character need to tell us they went to university, or can they throw on a college sweatshirt or stand in front of a framed diploma? 
7. __Give your characters subject-matter expertise__. Let’s say you need to explain how a virus is slowly decimating the entire human race. Instead of having a lay person google the information in a scene, write a dynamic scientist character who has been researching this virus for years, is an expert on the topic, and whose job it is to provide information about the virus to others. For example, you could write a scene where the scientist explains how the virus works to the U.N. or has to go on CNN to explain it to the masses as this feels like an authentic thing that would happen in the world of the story.

Whether you’re an aspiring blockbuster director or have dreams of changing the world with your independent film, navigating the world of scripts and screenplays can be daunting. No one knows this better than [Jodie Foster](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/jodie-foster-teaches-filmmaking). In Jodie Foster’s MasterClass on filmmaking, the two-time Oscar-winner talks about her experience on both sides of the camera and reveals insights into every step of the filmmaking process, from storyboarding to casting and camera coverage.

Want to become a better filmmaker? [The MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) provides exclusive video lessons from master filmmakers, including Jodie Foster, Judd Apatow, Martin Scorcese, David Lynch, Spike Lee, Aaron Sorkin, and more.

From the classic opener “Once upon a time…” to the famous *Star Wars* sequence “In a galaxy far, far away…”, some exposition is necessary in every film. Writing effective exposition, however, is an art form. Learn how to best introduce characters, backstory, and [plot points](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story) below.

From the classic opener “Once upon a time…” to the famous *Star Wars* sequence “In a galaxy far, far away…”, some exposition is necessary in every film. Writing effective exposition, however, is an art form. Learn how to best introduce characters, backstory, and [plot points](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story) below.


What Is Exposition in Film? How to Write Exposition in 7 Easy Steps

Exposition is a literary term that refers to the background information the audience needs to know for the world of your story to make sense. (Another definition of exposition is the technique of providing this kind of information in a story or film.) Exposition includes anything from character introductions to set details and dialogue, and is most common at the beginning of the story.

What Is Exposition?

The main purpose of exposition is to illuminate the motivations of a film’s characters, as well as the crucial details and circumstances that define their dramatic situation. Effective exposition adds vital, interesting information to the world of the story so that the audience can comprehend the central dramatic narrative. Exposition can also be used to foreshadow an important event, or justify a character’s skills and decisions.

What Is the Purpose of Exposition?

There are several ways to use exposition to convey the background of the characters and events in a film. Here are some of the most popular types of exposition.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Dialogue. A conversation between two or more characters allows for simple and effective exposition in a single scene. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Narration. Narration, or voiceover, is a way to <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicate","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicate</a> a character’s true thoughts and desires, or give omniscient insight into a situation. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Mise-en-scène. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mise-en-scene-in-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mise-en-scene-in-film","linkCopy":"Mise-en-scène are props and other things that are seen","category":null}'>Mise-en-scène are props and other things that are seen</a>, but not heard, in a scene. These details, while seemingly subtle, can convey a significant amount of information in a short amount of time. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Text or title cards. Perhaps the most straightforward method, text or title cards can contain all the relevant information your audience will need to know, before the film even begins. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Flashback. There are multiple ways to convey past events in a present narrative, but flashbacks are the most visual as they place your character in context (versus having them simply recount the event, as they might in dialogue or narration). </li></ol>

How to Write Exposition With 5 Different Exposition Techniques

To illustrate how effective exposition can enhance a film and captivate an audience, here are five examples of exposition through the years.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. “Rear Window” (1954): Director Alfred Hitchcock is a master of exposition, and this film is a perfect example. Hitchcock uses a continuous, three-minute shot to introduce the viewer to Jeff’s neighbors via their daily habits, as well as the mise-en-scène of their apartments. This expository scene gives viewers a taste of the voyeurism that is to come, and drops hints about how each character will figure into the story. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. “GoodFellas” (1990): Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed mob movie makes extensive use of voiceover from main character Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) to deliver exposition. However, perhaps the best example of exposition in the film is when Henry leads his girlfriend, Karen, through the back entrance of a nightclub. The respect Henry receives from every person he sees, along with exclusivity and security of their route, tell us everything we need to know about what it means to be a gangster. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. “Shaun of the Dead” (2004): TV news and radio are often used as vehicles to deliver exposition in film. But director Edgar Wright puts a unique spin on the technique in this exposition example: rather than witnessing a continuous news segment, the viewer experiences this information in bits and pieces as bored and distracted main character Shaun flips through TV channels and wanders to a convenience store. The comedy of Shaun’s obliviousness, along with the tension of the scene, make for effective exposition. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. “Up” (2009): In what is also an excellent example of a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-montage-in-filmmaking-how-to-create-a-memorable-montage' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-montage-in-filmmaking-how-to-create-a-memorable-montage","linkCopy":"film montage","category":null}'>film montage</a>, “Up” opens with a series of images that guide us through main character Carl Fredriksen’s relationship with his wife, Ellie. In the span of just a couple of dialogue-free minutes, we experience the joy, love, and loss of the couple’s many years together. This scene is one of the best examples of exposition in recent film history. In fact, film critic Peter Bradshaw called the montage “a masterclass in narrative exposition.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. “I, Tonya” (2017): In this example of exposition, main character Tonya Harding (played by Margot Robbie) “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-breaking-the-fourth-wall-works-in-film-and-tv' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-breaking-the-fourth-wall-works-in-film-and-tv","linkCopy":"breaks the fourth wall","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>breaks the fourth wall</a>” to deliver key information about her life. The technique works, in part, because these scenes also reveal Tonya’s character in interesting ways, highlighting her resentment and stubbornness as well as her grit and determination to succeed as an Olympic figure skater. </li></ol>

5 Examples of Exposition in Film

You know the world of your story inside out, but now it&#39;s time to put it on paper and share it with audiences. If you&#39;re struggling with finding a good starting point or balancing how much information to present, try the following tips for effective expository writing.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Show, don’t tell. Movies are a form of visual storytelling, which is why one of the basic tenets of <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter","linkCopy":"screenwriting","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>screenwriting</a> is to “show, don’t tell.” This means that you should always “show” things to the audience through action or character behavior as opposed to simply “telling” the audience. If you “show, don’t tell” well, you might not even need an exposition. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Weave exposition into the rising action. Good exposition is laid out without impeding the story and is seamlessly embedded within a scene. Move the central dramatic narrative forward at the same time that you lay out exposition. Describe how a bomb works at the same time as the hero is trying to detonate it. Explain how evil a bad guy is as the hero is actively running away from him. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Supplement the visuals. Use narration or voice-over to add to the action that is taking place on screen. While some visual clues are better left for the audience to decipher, others can benefit from the clarity or context that a narrator can provide with supplemental information. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-developing-strong-characters' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-developing-strong-characters","linkCopy":"Create characters","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>Create characters</a> who act as a “stand in” for the audience. One way to get through exposition in your screenplay is to have at least one character early on who is a stand-in for the audience; Rashida Jones’s character in The Social Network, or Chrisann in Steve Jobs for example, because they ask questions of the main character that the audience might have. He or she will help introduce the characters and the world without causing viewers to be bogged down with excessive or conspicuous exposition. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Use arguments to your advantage. In real life, arguments naturally escalate and romantic partners often bring up past events during fights making it an ideal scene to slip in background information. A fight about household duties between lovers can escalate to the point where the wife brings up her husband’s infidelity from 15 years earlier. This exposition feels natural because we believe that the wife may not be over the past infidelity and would mention it in the heat of the moment. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Be brief—less is more. Only say as much as you need to for the audience to understand the story. Try writing a monologue for your character, exploring his or her entire background and back story. Then, start chipping away at it. How much of this information is important, and how much is ancillary detail? How much can you show in the mise en scène versus having to say out loud? For example, does the character need to tell us they went to university, or can they throw on a college sweatshirt or stand in front of a framed diploma? </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Give your characters subject-matter expertise. Let’s say you need to explain how a virus is slowly decimating the entire human race. Instead of having a lay person google the information in a scene, write a dynamic scientist character who has been researching this virus for years, is an expert on the topic, and whose job it is to provide information about the virus to others. For example, you could write a scene where the scientist explains how the virus works to the U.N. or has to go on CNN to explain it to the masses as this feels like an authentic thing that would happen in the world of the story. </li></ol>

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Write Exposition With 7 Tips

Whether you’re an aspiring blockbuster director or have dreams of changing the world with your independent film, navigating the world of scripts and screenplays can be daunting. No one knows this better than <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/jodie-foster-teaches-filmmaking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/jodie-foster-teaches-filmmaking","linkCopy":"Jodie Foster","category":null}'>Jodie Foster</a>. In Jodie Foster’s MasterClass on filmmaking, the two-time Oscar-winner talks about her experience on both sides of the camera and reveals insights into every step of the filmmaking process, from storyboarding to casting and camera coverage.Want to become a better filmmaker? <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"The MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>The MasterClass Annual Membership</a> provides exclusive video lessons from master filmmakers, including Jodie Foster, Judd Apatow, Martin Scorcese, David Lynch, Spike Lee, Aaron Sorkin, and more.

Want to Become a Better Filmmaker?

From the classic opener “Once upon a time…” to the famous Star Wars sequence “In a galaxy far, far away…”, some exposition is necessary in every film. Writing effective exposition, however, is an art form. Learn how to best introduce characters, backstory, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story","linkCopy":"plot points","category":null}'>plot points</a> below.

From the classic opener “Once upon a time…” to the famous Star Wars sequence “In a galaxy far, far away…”, some exposition is necessary in every film. Writing effective exposition, however, is an art form. Learn how to best introduce characters, backstory, and plot points (https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-first-plot-point-of-your-story) below.


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