1st Edition
Cinematic Worldbuilding A TTRPG Approach to Storytelling
Preface
About the Author
Introduction
How To Use This Book
Chapter One - What Is A TTRPG?
It’s Not All Dungeons and/or Dragons
The Game Master
The Players
Storytelling for Role-Playing Games
What Does This Have to Do with Screenwriting?
Chapter Two - Story
What Story Are You Trying to Tell?
Story Structures
Story Structure Types
Adapting and Modifynig Existing Structures to Fit Your Story
Integrating TTRPG Methods Into Script Writing
Anatomy of a Screenplay
Chapter Three - Worldbuilding
Tying in the Story
The Locations
Map-Making
Interiors
Exteriors
History, Politics, and Society
Tension, Drama, and Sometimes Comedy
Death, Dying, Disease, and Disability
Tropes, and When to Lean into Them
Chapter Four - Characters
The Main Players
NPC's (Non-Playable Characters)
Letting Your Characters Off the Chain
Character Consistency and Growth
Chapter Five – Actual Plays, Table Reads, and Next Steps (the Business)
Playing with Your Story
Handling Feedback
The Business of Screenwriting
Chapter Six - Finishing
The Vomit Draft
Refining
Aftercare
Chapter Seven - Dealing with Writer’s Block
Let the Dice Decide
Getting from FADE IN to The End
Chapter Eight - Tabletop Tools to Make Your Stories Come to Life
Hardware (Minis and More)
Software (Online and Other Resources)
Chapter Nine - Television Screenwriting and TTRPGs
Spec Scripts and Pilots (One-Shots)
Collaboration and Writing for Series (Campaigns)
Chapter Ten - Short and Feature Films
Small Films and Big Thinking
Feature Films Are More Than Just Marvel Blockbusters
Chapter Eleven - Writing for Genre
Why Understanding Genre Matters
Action/Adventure
Fantasy
Horror/Supernatural
Romance
Comedy
Thriller/Mystery
Science Fiction
Family/Kids
Chapter Twelve - Breaking the Rules
There Are No Rules
Chapter Thirteen - Fade Out
Chapter Fourteen - Contributors
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C—Blank World Map
Appendix D—Blank Character Sheet
Index
Biography
Nicholas LaRue is an author, screenwriter, and film critic. His first book, Behind the Scenes of Indie Film Marketing, debuted at #2 in Film & Television on Amazon. Nic’s website, FilmSnobbery.com (est. 2008), is dedicated to being a voice for the indie film community. His work frequently brings him all over the country, speaking at conferences and film festivals. He is an avid TTRPG player who has a passion for dynamic storytelling and compelling characters.
