This is an easy one. Before you waste a lot of time describing something that’s familiar to both of us, like waking up, getting dressed, making breakfast, driving to school…yawn…sorry. WRITE it. We’re both writers. Readers are never not writers. INT. SUBURBAN BATHROOM – DAY JEN GLEN, the most indie/alt girl in the sophomore class,…
Read moreCAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?
Literally, your biggest problem as a spec script writer is overcoming the reader’s boredom. It’s a mistake to start with a typical flashback-y prologue-y ‘this is what the story is going to be about’ scene that conveys information without a hint why we should care. The art is in connecting the reader to a person…
Read moreUseful Confessions #5
I have this huge pulpy paperback astrology book. It is a tool for creating complex, flawed characters. The writing in it comes out of genius level social intelligence. It’s a shortcut to getting the story started.
Read more“Script Breakdown Tips” (Directing Tips)
“Script Breakdown Tips” (Directing Tips) Rather than write an article on how to breakdown a script I decided I would try something a little different today. I believe the visualization and “real life example” will help convey insightful t… A look at how your script is used by a director to make a movie. Looking…
Read more‘Frozen’ Writer/Director Jennifer Lee Breaks Down the Story & Screenplay on ScriptNotes « No Film School
‘Frozen’ Writer/Director Jennifer Lee Breaks Down the Story & Screenplay on ScriptNotes « No Film School quatorz: Very cool article and a podcast too! Cool for writers but also fans of Frozen too. Free links to the podcast and script for Frozen to read along with as it is broken down beat by beat.
Read moreTENSE IS IMPORTANT
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE: Zoe is not liking it. SIMPLE PRESENT: Loki likes it. John is yelling, Margaret is walking, Chris is barking like a dog. John yells, Margaret walks, Chris barks like a dog. Write your screenplay actively. Is _____ing is not your friend.
Read moreTHE FIRST ACTION LINE IS WRITTEN IN PASSIVE VOICE
Do not start your script with a slugline, then anything in this whole genus of action lines: A NOUN is VERBED (adverb, prepositional phrase) by a NOUN. The reader’s spleen will burst. Screenwriting is active. An ipod is not placed in a dock by a hand. MATT puts the IPOD in the DOCK.
Read moreChristopher McQuarrie on filmmaking: “McQuarrie along with his… –
Christopher McQuarrie on filmmaking: “McQuarrie along with his… – seanbhood: Christopher McQuarrie on filmmaking: “McQuarrie along with his composer Joe Kraemer sit down to discuss some of their thoughts on filmmaking and motivations on certain scenes. Stick through until the end to find out the lessons McQuarrie learned from making his directorial debut.” —filmschoolthrucommentaries Do…
Read moreSHAZAM, YOU’RE A PILOT
When you take that feature script and make it over into a pilot, and you will… Open the end. Films arc to a close. TV shows tend to keep going. Unless they are Firefly, which I’m still too raw to discuss. The arc that you efficiently built into 100 pages now has to have the…
Read moreSHOW, DON’T HINT
It’s okay to plainly state your intent. It’s a pretty good idea, actually, because subtle little brushstrokes are open to a lot of misinterpretation, or worse, not being interpreted at all. Showing is better than telling, but telling is better than hinting. There is no point in constructing an elaborate thematic device and leaving it…
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