Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Amanda Gorman Teaches Writing and Performing Poetry

Amy Tan Teaches Fiction, Memory, and Imagination

Billy Collins Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry

Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love

Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership

Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers

David Baldacci Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing

David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor

Doris Kearns Goodwin Teaches U.S. Presidential History and Leadership

James Patterson Teaches Writing

Joy Harjo Teaches Poetic Thinking

Joyce Carol Oates Teaches the Art of the Short Story

Judy Blume Teaches Writing

Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing

Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing

Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking

Michael W. Twitty Teaches Tracing Your Roots Through Food

Mira Nair Teaches Independent Filmmaking

N. K. Jemisin Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

Redefining Feminism with Gloria Steinem and Noted Co-Instructors

R.L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences

Roxane Gay Teaches Writing for Social Change

Salman Rushdie Teaches Storytelling and Writing

Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

Talking Shop

The Duffer Brothers Teach Developing an Original TV Series

Walter Mosley Teaches Fiction and Storytelling

Will Wright Teaches Game Design and Theory

variant_1

Build in-demand AI skills with a certificate course from MasterClass and top-of-their-field organizations.

Learn AI from the world's best

Enjoy 7 days free

The promo may be over, but your opportunity isn't. Dive into the full experience, worry-free, with our 7-day money-back guarantee.

The offer has ended

Amount charged now

Your 7-day free trial starts today

Get 50% off an annual membership of MasterClass

Congratulations, you purchased an annual standard membership of MasterClass. A confirmation has been sent to your email. You will now be able to access 200+ classes in addition to your Certificate course.

You're all set!

Build practical AI skills that matter. Learn how to think with AI, make better decisions, and prove you’re ready for what’s next.

AI as Your Copilot (4 min)

Prompting: Speak So AI Listens (8 min)

Step inside The Moonshot Factory to see how teams prototype new concepts in hours, pinpoint the riskiest part of any idea, and turn bold thinking into real-world breakthroughs.

This Is Where Bold Begins (12 min)

"What If" Before "What Is" (8 min)

Learn from five former SEALs, including Medal of Honor winner Command Master Britt Slabinski (Ret), and hear how they tackle issues, recognize stress early, and use quick resets to regain composure.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

Intro to High-Stakes Leadership (10 min)

Strategic Readiness Starts With You (6 min)

Become the AI catalyst your organization needs, grounded in Microsoft’s decades of experience turning breakthrough technology into trusted tools that drive measurable results.

Lead With AI: Adapt, Implement & Transform Your Organization

Choosing the Right Work for AI

Learn from negotiators who've trained U.N. diplomats and closed major sports deals to uncover what people really want and reach win-win deals without burning bridges.

Build the Relationship First: Why the Contract Isn't the Deal

Surface the Other Side's Needs

Learn to command a room, read what your audience really needs, and turn hesitation into a confident yes.

Overcoming Objection and Hesitation

Reading People: The Cues That Matter

CPO to CPO: Find the Problem. Grow the Business.

Pre-enroll and save 30% on this course. Available Fall 2026.

di-preenrollment

Pre-enroll and save 30% on this AI Strategy course from NVIDIA. 

nvidia-preenrollment

From TIME ©2022 TIME USA LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Times

Wirecutter

Reviewed - USA Today

Writing Habits

Writing Companions

Writer’s Block

Getting Started as a Writer

Writer's Block

Surviving the Literary Marketplace

The Idea Store

Combating Writer’s Block and Developing Routines

Conclusion

Researching Your Poem

Unblocking Creativity

Roxane’s Writing Process

Boost Your Creative Storytelling Skills

Character Development

Anticipating What Consumers Want

Meet Your Instructor

Your Unmistakably Unique Worldview

Researching the Novel

Fiction, Race, and Representation

Writing History

Meet Your Instructors

Shaping Nonfiction Characters

Writer’s Workshop: Common Ground

Moving Beyond Binaries

Incorporate Diverse Historical Insights

Choosing Locations

Research, Part 1

Setting as a Character

Elements of Worldbuilding

How to Scare Your Readers

Scene Discussion: Barry Lyndon

Setting and Worldbuilding

Characters: World Building

Writing for Younger Readers - Part 1

Developing a Visual Palette

The Fundamentals of Game Design

Exploring Player Psychology

Develop a Game Language

Set Scenes in Rich Eras

Finding the Idea 

Meet Your Instructor: Amy Tan

Research and Observation

Writing Process

David's Influences

Closing

Discovering Yourself Through Writing

Walter’s Most Important Thing

Introduction

Shonda's Journey

How to Develop a TV Series Idea

Finding Ideas - Part 1

Facing Your Pain

The Relationship Between Story and Games

Kevin Smith on Stan Lee

Transform Life Into Captivating Fiction

Closing Thoughts

Life As A Writer

The Writer’s Path

Life as a Writer

Follow the Words

Growing as a Writer

Conclusion: Two Groups of People

Passion + Habit

Reading and Studying Writing

Breaking into the Industry

Introduction: The Pleasure Poetry Gives Us

Writing the Poem

A Poet's Journey

Finding Your Unique Poetic Voice 

Writing for Younger Readers - Part 2

Rejection

Moving Forward

Write a Distinct Narrative

Writing

Teaches Writing Thrillers

Teaches Fiction, Memory, and Imagination

Teach Developing an Original TV Series

Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

Teaches Storytelling and Humor

Teaches Effective and Authentic Communication

Robin Roberts Teaches Effective and Authentic Communication

Teaches Investigative Journalism

Bob Woodward Teaches Investigative Journalism

Teaches Storytelling and Writing

Teaches Fiction and Storytelling

Teaches Writing

Teaches Dramatic Writing

David Mamet Teaches Dramatic Writing

Teaches Game Design and Theory

Teaches Creativity and Film

David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film

Teaches Writing and Performing Poetry

Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Scripting Your Own Success

Teaches Screenwriting

Teaches Purposeful Communication

George Stephanopoulos Teaches Purposeful Communication

Icons and Their Influences

Teaches Writing for Television

Achieve More With GenAI

Teaches Creative Writing

Teaches Writing for Young Audiences

Reframe Your Thinking

Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Issa Rae Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Teaches Poetic Thinking

Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry

Tell a Great Story

Teaches the Art of the Short Story

Lessons from Influential Black Voices

Teaches Writing for Social Change

Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing

Teaches the Power of Storytelling 

LeVar Burton Teaches the Power of Storytelling

N. K. Jemisin

Margaret Atwood

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.


Learn Worldbuilding & Genre Writing

Menu

Learn Worldbuilding & Genre Writing

Learn Worldbuilding & Genre Writing

Download