A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life. Christopher Germer (via creatingaquietmind)
Read moreNotes from a Screenreader: To Genre or Not to Genre
nywift: Photo via Go Into the Story. A drama screenplay is fine, but it’s sort of like prose in that it is defined by what it isn’t. It’s not funny, scary, sci-fi or action. In competitions, that’s not such a handicap, because you are paying to be read, but neither are you giving yourself all…
Read moreAdvice from an Indie Producer: Hiring the Crew
nywift: Preparation for an indie project is crucial for finishing on time and under budget. The budget is finite (in most cases) because you cannot go to the studio and ask for more money. You have to get it right the first time. In Robert Rodriquez’s Rebel Without a Crew, he credits detailed preparation as to how he…
Read moreTerry’s Picks: ‘Caroline’s Wedding’ & Sony’s Diverse Directors Program
nywift: Supporting: former NYWIFT staff member Easmanie Michel’s Kickstarter campaign for her first feature, Caroline’s Wedding, adapted from a story by Edwidge Danticat. Glad to hear about: Sony Pictures Television’s Diverse Directors Program, where “participants may be selected to shadow directors on episodes of scripted SPT series.” Applications are being accepted until June 6. Reading: Vogue’s article…
Read moreHOW IS A SCREENPLAY LIKE A HAIKU?
A formal structure Full of infinite meaning About just one thing
Read moreannerocious: How to Show Not Tell.
Read moreON THE DREADED PLACEHOLDER SCENE
There are scenes in your first draft where you’re still figuring out your story, and you know you need to establish something, so you write it down with some dialogue, to hold its place. Then you never go back and rewrite it in an interesting, visual way with a good solid beat in it, and…
Read moreWHY FLASH FORWARD IS A PROBLEM
The most convincing argument I can make against starting your spec with the backstory and then jumping forward in time is this: Casablanca doesn’t open in Paris. Start in the now and set up your now problem. Use the backstory to escalate in your second act. It will elevate your game like crazy.
Read moreHappy Birthday, lifeascaty!
Read moreI was eye-rolling at the ridiculousness of this stunt casting until I started watching Fargo. I was so wrong.
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