One of the best ways to learn, in my opinion, is to read the scripts of the award-worthy films. Then watch the films, of course. And then perhaps read the script again. Things will come forth. We previously posted links to Trumbo, Inside Out, Steve Jobs, Room and more here. Since then, more scripts have surfaced, courtesy the hopeful production companies. Be sure to download these while they’re still available, which is not for long:

Spotlight

The Danish Girl

Suffragette

Concussion

The Hateful Eight

Brooklyn

Macbeth

Legend

Ex Machina

You can find a running list on No Film School, as well, with many more titles.

In the post it’s pointed out how screenwriters can learn a great deal from studying the work of their (probably more successful) peers. We obviously couldn’t agree more, but let’s take it even a step further and make these screenplays required reading for any budding filmmaker. You will not just learn about structure, story and dialogue. You’ll also find out what choices the director made, what choices the cinematographer made, how the designers made the scripted world come alive and how the actors breathed life into the written dialogue.

Study the work of others. Use it. Enjoy it. Learn from it. Download one of these scripts, break it down and make a shot list, watch the film, see what you missed or how your choices would have changed the experience. Whichever way you decide to use it, this is a great resource.

Download the screenplays for Inside Out, Room, Carol, Straight Outta Compton, Trainwreck, Trumbo – or see the complete (and continuously updated) list on IndieWire.

Not included on the list (at time of writing, at least) is Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay for Steve Jobs. Here you go.

#1. Visually Beautiful

Before I even get into how incredible the story and characters of this film are, I just need to point out the sheer beauty in the art style. The animation alone is beautiful, but then the world that animators built to show what it is that goes on inside the human brain is more intriguing and captivating than any other depiction I have seen of this abstract concept. Each section of this world had its own distinct design and feeling assigned to it which only added to the already great storyline.

#2. Important Morals and Lessons

I do not believe that I have ever seen a film quite as relatable as Inside Out. I do not doubt that everyone who sees this movie will be able to see pieces of themselves and their own life stories reflected in that of Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) and her family. This film helps to teach its audiences that our emotions are not all black and white, happy and sad. The older we get, the more complicated and muddled those borders become and the more we are able to realize that there is often both joy and sadness in some of the most pivotal moments of our lives.

#3. Intriguing Characters

The main character in this film may technically be Riley, considering it is her head we run around inside for the majority of the film, but the real stars of the show are found in her emotions. Joy (Amy Poehler), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Bill Hader), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling) are funny and witty but also point out important aspects of human emotion and how we deal with it when life throws mountains at us to climb. All brilliantly depicted and expertly designed, these core emotions lead audiences through what seems to be the first major change in the young protagonist’s life.

#4. Not Just a “Kid’s Movie”

Inside Out may be an animated film with fantastical worlds and characters that are technically geared towards the younger demographic, but frankly I do not care one single bit. I see this film as being important (as well as enjoyable) for people of all ages to get to see. I do not care if you are 12 or 92, you have faced sadness, anger, disgust, fear and joy. What this film does, that I think is so special, is that it manages to show us how to find the sadness in joy and the joy in sadness. Inside Out gives us an example of why, despite our inherent discontent with being afraid or sad, these emotions are vital to helping us find balance and joy in our everyday lives. Joy is not a state of being, and it comes and goes in a fluid manner, being replaced by our other key emotions as we move through our lives and it is these fluctuations and experiences that ultimately make us who we are. You could say that I am reading too much into this basic children’s movie, but I don’t believe that for a second. I believe that this film has the chance to change how kids look at being bullied and left out, loss of friends or family and even major life changes like the ones Riley had to go through. And I think that is definitely worth the price of a movie ticket.