July 2010
1 post
Booky - Free Tumblr theme →
You can now use this blog design for your own Tumblelog.
Just visit the Booky theme page and hit install.
February 2010
2 posts
2 tags
The Incident versus The Call →
There are the followers of Syd Field who speak of “Inciting Incident”.
Then there are the believers in mythology who speak the language of Joseph Campbell and prefer “Call to Adventure”.
To make matters worse, others speak of “Opportunity” or “Disturbance”, “Catalyst” etc.
The Hangover Script →
“A Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him.”
January 2010
11 posts
Tales from the Script: Advice for New... →
Lengthy sneak peek from the “Tales from the Script” DVD. Looks worth getting.
2 tags
Elements of Suspense →
“Let us assume that there is a bomb under this table between us. […] suddenly there is a loud boom and the bomb goes off. The audience is surprised, but before this surprise they have only seen a very ordinary scene without any significance.
“Let us instead look at a suspense scene. The bomb is under the table and the audience is aware of this because they have seen the anarchist plant it...
1 tag
Setups And Payoffs →
“as Thelma is packing, she throws in her gun on a whim, even though she has never used it and is afraid of it. When we see that, it propels us into the future. We know that gun is going to be used and wait for it to happen. If it doesn’t, we’ll feel cheated.”
And some setups from The Sixth Sense. Another article.
Jurassic Park Analysis - Order vs Chaos (pdf) →
Starts on page 4.
“As it stands, Dr. Grant simply learns to care about the children. But what has really changed in him? What did he learn? Would it not have been more dramatically pleasing to have the children teach him how chaos is not just a disruptive element, but sometimes an essential component of life?”
1 tag
Prince of Persia script - 2006 →
Here’s the 2006 version of the Prince of Persia screenplay. It’s due for release in May 2010 with Jake Gyllenhaal starring.
The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations →
The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations is a descriptive list which was created by Georges Polti to categorize every dramatic situation that might occur in a story or performance.
Three Act, Eight Sequence Structure →
“Yes, most movies can be broken up into 8 discrete 12-15-minute sequences, each of which has a beginning, middle and end.”
Added bonus: Avatar, The Untouchables, and A Beautiful Mind sequence breakdowns. Bear in mind Avatar is a much longer movie so has more sequences.
5 tags
Expanded Scene Breakdown - Best Kept Screenwriting... →
“The Expanded Scene Breakdown is a 20 to 40+ page point by point, step by step, scene by scene outline of the entire screenplay in prose form using dialogue, character development, action, etc.”
1 tag
What's a one-sheet? →
“More and more, agents and producers are asking writers for a one-sheet after hearing an intriguing pitch.”
Avatar screenplay download →
What are the chances of me receiving news that the full Avatar script is available just a few hours after posting the scriptment? The scriptment’s been available for years, but I chose today of all days to post it. Weird.
Download the Avatar script directly from Fox.
Avatar Scriptment →
With Avatar breaking box-office records all over the place, here’s the original scriptment from 1995. The Avatar movie script isn’t available as of right now.
Here’s a summary of the scriptment.
July 2009
5 posts
Screenwriter David Johnson Interview →
Interview with David Johnson on “Orphan”
“Sooner or later, all this stuff is going to seem antiquated. The script is the...”
– Andrew Stanton - screenwriter of A Bug’s Life
Interview: "Twilight" screenwriter Melissa... →
(via charlotteeleanor)
Where The Wild Things Are Screenplay →
Download the Where The Wild Things Are movie script via pdfscripts.
Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world—a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler. Max Records Mark Ruffalo Forest Whitaker Catherine Keener
Public Enemies Screenplay →
Download the Public Enemies movie script via pdfscripts.
The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s. Johnny Depp Marion Cotillard Christian Bale
June 2009
3 posts
William Wisher Interview →
A conversation with Terminator and T2: Judgment Day co-screenwriter William Wisher.
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.
Scott Myers - How I Write A Script →
Scott Myers, writer of Alaska and K-9 shows you his screenwriting process.
April 2009
4 posts
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.
The Three Most Important Things I Teach →
A. You need a hook.
B. The elements of story.
C. Pitch your story.
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.
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.
March 2009
2 posts
Movies, YouTube, & Screenwriting w/ YouTube...
shonbacon:
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...
Celtx 2.0 Released →
The newest version of the free open source screenplay formatter is out.
February 2009
2 posts
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.
How to introduce a character →
How to introduce a character, with examples from James Cameron and others.
January 2009
1 post
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.
December 2008
2 posts
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.
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.
November 2008
2 posts
Listen To A Movie →
Might help you check out dialogue in other movies, etc.
Script Adaptation →
Many writers view an adaptation as a daunting task. The looming question is: “how do I turn a gazillion page novel into a 120 page script?”
October 2008
2 posts
Script Reader's Checklist →
A real-life example of a checklist a script reader may be using to judge screenplays.
Checklist A: Concept & Plot
#1. Imagine the trailer. Is the concept marketable?
#2. Is the premise naturally intriguing — or just average, demanding perfect execution?
#3. Who is the target audience? Would your parents go see it?
#4. Does your story deal with the most important...
Competition: Simply Scripts One Week Challenge →
Halloween One Week Challenge
You have one week to write a twelve (12) page (or less) script
The script MUST be in a generally accepted screenplay format.
Do not put your name on the script. For the first week or so, the scripts will not have the writers’ name on it so no one can pick favorites.
Please do put © Copyright 2008 on your script!
Submission due: October 17th at...
August 2008
2 posts
Screenwriter Agent Interview →
Q: What do you look for in a marketable screenplay?
A: Anything I can pitch to a producer and a studio executive easily. If the script has a great hook, that’s gold.
Read more by clicking the title.
Screenwriting 101: How to Sell Your Script →
Four tips on how to sell your screenplay. There are also a lot of filmmaking video tips.
July 2008
3 posts
Competition: Every 1’s a Critic →
Sitcom scripts or character-based comedy of no more than fifteen minutes long. that are self-contained, and whose premise, situation, and characters will be immediately grasped by an audience. Deadline: 15th August 2008.
From Idea To Script →
Here’s how to turn your promising concept into a screen-worthy script.
Celtx 1.0 Released →
Version 1.0 of the free screenwriting software Celtx has been released. Late post, but who cares.
May 2008
4 posts
Montage Screenwriting Software →
Montage 1.5 has been released for Mac OS X. I still recommend Celtx over all other screenwriting software.
Screenwriter Blogs
Here’s a list of screenwriting blogs that it couldn’t hurt to read: John August - Charlie’s Angels, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Corpse Bride John Rogers - American Outlaws, The Core, Catwoman, Transformers. Craig Mazin & Ted Elliott - Scary Movie 3/4, Superhero Movie and Aladdin, Godzilla, Small Soldiers, Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure....
“I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000...”
– Thomas Edison
Developing Efficient Work Habits →
“Writing habits flourish best in routine, but the efficient writer also exploits opportunity.”
March 2008
1 post
Minette Walters Writing Tips →
Eight videos of writing tips for writers. They’re for novel writing, but some parts apply to screenplays. PDF’s are available.
February 2008
3 posts
Competition: Massify Horror Movie →
Turn the horror movie of your dreams into the nightmares of a generation. After Dark Films and Massify are looking for the next generation of horror, and will produce one winning entry to be a feature film in theaters. We’ll also be casting the movie using the site. Feb 8th - Mar 17th
Competition: Final Draft's Big Break →
Publisher of Final Draft announces the launch of its 9th Annual Big Break International Screenwriting Contest. Opened February 1st and closes June 15. $50 entry fee.
Writer's Strike Ends →