Screenwriting tips and tutorials, helping you write movie scripts/screenplays. Subscribe.
June72009
June62009
10 Steps to Writing a Horror Screenplay
1. The Hook. Start with a bang. Step right into a suspense scene. (”Scream” opens with a terrifying sequence with Drew Barrymore on the phone with a killer) etc.
June12009
Scott Myers - How I Write A Script
Scott Myers, writer of Alaska and K-9 shows you his screenwriting process.
April262009
William Goldman Interview
The South Bank Show interviewed William Goldman. He’s written, among others, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President’s Men, Marathon Man and Misery.
Check it out on the ITV Player if you missed the hour long show in the UK.
April92009
The Three Most Important Things I Teach
A. You need a hook.
B. The elements of story.
C. Pitch your story.
April62009
Script Frenzy
This began 6 days ago and lasts a month.
Script Frenzy charges no fee to participate; there are also no valuable prizes awarded or “best” scripts singled out. Every writer who completes the goal of 100 pages is victorious and awe-inspiring and will receive a handsome Script Frenzy Winner’s Certificate and web icon proclaiming this fact.
April52009
John August Video Tutorial
Some useful tips in here:
Avoid subject+verb+object.
“Mike is carrying a large toolbox” > “Carrying a large toolbox, Mike makes…”
Spell out numbers in dialogue.
March142009
Movies, YouTube, & Screenwriting w/ YouTube Sensation, ScriptGirl
ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING has a new look and a new interview!
Come hang out and read my latest interview with YouTube sensation, ScriptGirl - who talks about screenwriting, movies, and more!
Check out the excerpt below!
CLG: Now that you are a YouTube celebrity, are you planning to use your ScriptGirl image to benefit your career, and if so, how?
SG: Well it’s odd. A lot of opportunities have come my way due to ScriptGirl, but they don’t necessarily jibe with my career goals as a screenwriter. I’ve been offered some TV hosting gigs and those folks could not care less about some brilliant rom-com I have in my car. Likewise, the producers I meet with aren’t the least bit impressed by my Internet alter ego. In fact, I think it may actually diminish my credibility. Well, that and the fact that I tend to show up at meetings late, inebriated, and wildly belligerent! (laughs maniacally)CLG: What are three pieces of advice you would offer to those wanting to break into screenwriting?
SG: Make friends with rejection. The numbers are always going to be against you. That’s a fact, Jack.
Optimize all opportunities, big and small. Actually, just assume they’re all big.
Write from your heart. But get a good agent or manager to handle your business. Financially raping writers is a sport to producers. Like golf or polo.Head to ChickLitGurrl: High on Lattes & Writing now to read the rest of ScriptGirl’s interview!
About CLG: Since 2005, ChickLitGurrl has been a place to talk to women writers about writing, craft, inspiration, and anything and everything else that falls into being a female writer. Nearly 70 women writers have been interviewed, to include Carly Phillips, Bernice McFadden, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Mary Castillo, Jennifer Banash, and Paula Chase-Hyman. In ‘09, CLG branches out to include ALL women of words - scriptwriters, freelance writers, novelists, essayists, memoirists, and more! In addition to the interviews, you’ll also find information on writing-related news and tips.
March22009
Celtx 2.0 Released
The newest version of the free open source screenplay formatter is out.
February172009
Film Studios List
A list of many large and small film studios you may be able to submit/pitch a script to.
Most Hollywood Producers and Movie Production Companies will not accept unsolicited scripts. Be courteous. Do not send your screenplay without permission. Submit a screenwriting query first asking if they are accepting screenplay submissions. Follow their query instructions.
February152009
How to introduce a character
How to introduce a character, with examples from James Cameron and others.
January12009
Oscars Screenplay Format
This is as close as you’ll get to an official screenplay formatting guide. Here’s the link to the text only version of the Screenplay Format Sample. See my other posts on screenplay formatting.
EDIT: Updating the link because they’ve redesigned the website.
December292008
Structure: Raiders of the Lost Ark
A structural overview of Raiders of the Lost Ark (Laurence Kasdan, Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman 1981)
Also: You may want to look at some other articles on that site, such as The Inciting Incident or The (Necessary) Evil of Dialogue. Unfortunately, a lot of the content is Premium and requires a subscription.
December132008
Software: Scripped - Web-based Screenwriting
Free screenwriting software with no noticeable catches. It’s web-based, so all your files will be stored in the “cloud” so you can access it from any computer.
November222008
Listen To A Movie
Might help you check out dialogue in other movies, etc.
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