Dear Gentle Readers,As you have probably noticed, the frequency of these posts has declined in the recent months. I have been telling myself that I will recapture the fire and drive that powered this blog for these last several years, but I suspect that it is now time to face the truth:I simply have said almost everything that I have to say about writing for television.It used to be the case that every time I wrote a scene -- or watched a scene -- a little nugget of writing advice would occur to me. But now I find that I'm consistently being reminded of points that I have already made,…
Screenwriting
-
Jane in Progress
-
Monday: Taking a Break...
-
Feverish Comic Book Thoughts
I promised a very long time ago that I would talk about the process of comic book writing. I've already mentioned that comic book scripts vary enormously from author to author and publisher to publisher, so it's possible that the process I'm going to describe is only one way that these things are accomplished, but this is how I've experienced it.First, I come up with a story, remembering that it generally has to be quite simple. You can't get a lot on a page, so you have to keep that in mind. I also try to make the story more action-packed than I normally would do in a similarly long stretch… -
Previous Entries
-
Complications Ensue: The Crafty TV and Screenwriting Blog
-
"Here's to us, there's few like us, and they're all dead!"
10 Nov 2009 | 5:20 amThat was Douglas Campbell's fitting toast. (Mine is "Outrageous happiness.") I met Douglas only at the end of his long and rich life; he and Moira graciously lent their townhouse to us for the FALLEN writing room. But you only had to meet him to know immediately that this was a grand old Shakespearean.Douglas was a truth-teller, as one friend after another told us, always willing to bust a bad production, but always willing to explain exactly what was wrong. (I got a bit of his truth when I tried to get him to come to a Justin Trudeau fundraiser once.) I wondered whether he got in a lot of… -
Trade War, Much?
7 Nov 2009 | 12:09 pmJim Henshaw points out that the Stimulus Package passed by the US Congress prevents US companies that get stimulus money from buying Canadian, and proposes that Canada retaliate.I'm down with that. -
Pilot School
6 Nov 2009 | 6:55 amPilot School is a terrific collection of pilot scripts. Lisa says the pilot script for MAD MEN is laugh out loud funny -- quite a change from the dry way it came out, eh? -
Style Sheet?
31 Oct 2009 | 8:52 amQ. Your website no longer has available the Word style sheet you mentioned in your book. Is it no longer available?It's been superseded. There are free screenplay formatting programs around, like MindStar's Script Editor and Celtx and Scripped and Zhura. Check'em out. -
Show Us How Clever You Are, If Necessary
30 Oct 2009 | 8:47 amWhen you're writing a spec, you try to nail the template. You try to get the character voices right, and the pace of the show, and the sets they use. You try to internalize the do's and don't's of the series you're speccing.What about when you know the show better than the reader? Won't that get you into trouble? Say, for example, you're doing a SPONGEBOB spec, as Lisa recently did. If you know your SPONGEBOB, you know that the adorable-yet-slightly-irritating young sponge frequently gets worked up over the crabby patties he serves, and often calls them "Patty." If your reader has only seen a…
-
johnaugust.com
-
Zombie-class situations
19 Nov 2009 | 11:37 amZombies are more than the walking dead. They’re a useful paradigm for a range of common scenarios in many genres. Whenever your hero is facing off against a system or mob rather than an individual, that’s potentially a zombie-class situation. Any given opponent isn’t necessarily that formidable; it’s the sheer numbers that make it so difficult for the hero. War movies are frequently zombie-class, as are comedies about plucky outsiders. Science-fiction and horror revel in zombie-class situations, from the Borg to the Visitors to those troublesome tribbles. If you find… -
Script-a-scene contest
19 Nov 2009 | 10:26 amJessica Bendinger (Bring It On, Stick It) is hosting a competition centered around her new novel, inviting readers to adapt a bit from it into a scene. It’s like one of this site’s scene challenges, but based on an actual real book rather than my random themes of science and/or self-amusement. You can check out the rules for Jessica’s competition here. -
Burn it down
10 Nov 2009 | 3:26 pmYou wouldn’t splash gasoline on the walls of your home, then toss a few matches while strolling out the door. In real life, this kind of willful destruction is criminal. In fiction, it’s crucial. As the writer, you need to burn down houses. You need to push characters out of their safe places into the big scary world — and make sure they can never get back. Sure, their stated quest might be to get home, but your job is to make sure that wherever they end up is a new and different place. Writers tend towards benevolence. We love our characters, and want to see them thrive. So… -
WGAw screenwriter survey
6 Nov 2009 | 11:16 amWGAw screenwriters should have received an email yesterday about an online survey the Guild is conducting. Please find the email — it might get stuck in your spam filter — and click the link.1 The survey takes five minutes, and will help set priorities for the Guild. I was one of the beta testers for the survey, helping revise some of the questions about economic conditions and industry practices. It’s your choice whether to include your name or do it anonymously, but please participate. It’s important to let the Guild get a sense of what’s changing for… -
When characters say the name of the movie
6 Nov 2009 | 5:07 amThis handy montage might make you think twice about letting your characters use the title of the movie in dialogue. (via fourfour)
-
The Artful Writer
-
WGA Screenwriters: Take The Survey!
5 Nov 2009 | 8:53 pmIf you’re a WGAw screenwriter, you should have just received an email from the guild inviting you to take an online survey. While I can’t print the link (the survey is for Guild members only…each of you gets your own link…), I can strongly urge you to take the five or ten minutes necessary to fill it out. Online, of course. The survey centers around economic and employment issues. Is it easier or harder getting work now? More hoops to jump through? Are you still getting paid your quote? Are producers demanding more free writing? How about one-step deals? Here’s… -
There And Back Again, Pt. 3
20 Oct 2009 | 1:35 pmAfter the jet ski and poisson cru madness (which never really ended, but who needs to hear about that anymore?), the adventures really began. Mt. Otemanu, Bora Bora First, I want to point out that while Couples Retreat obviously did very well at the box office, I think there’s a lot more cinematically to Bora Bora than just the resort. For instance, Mount Otemanu. It looms up and over the lagoon, typically peaking somewhere in the clouds. What’s inside that thing? Probably just more rock, but in my imagination, there’s a whole temple to explore. So hey, that’s at least… -
Seriously…soon…
19 Oct 2009 | 1:21 amBetween work and baseball and something viral in my lungs that wasn’t swine-derived, it’s been a tough couple of weeks for blogging. I’ve got the final installment of the Tahiti trip stuff, plus my thoughts on the WGA election and the recent foreign levies settlement…all coming up. Stay tuned. Or not! That’s the fun of blogging fer free. -
Sorry…been busy…so I’ll just leave this here
11 Oct 2009 | 1:01 pmA little video snack. Hopefully a new post goes up tonight. -
There And Back Again, Pt. 2
28 Sep 2009 | 2:10 pmSo here’s what I knew about Tahiti. Bubkus. To be honest, I was only vaguely sure that it was in the Pacific, as opposed to the Caribbean. Here’s what I know about it now. What we think of as “Tahiti” is actually French Polynesia. And “Tahiti” is merely one of the many, many islands that comprise French Polynesia, which is scattered across a massive portion of the Pacific Ocean. There are basically three sections (by basically I mean “more than three, but three big ones”). The Society Islands include most of the resort destinations: Tahiti, Bora…
-
Screenplay Europe
-
British Independent Film Award nominees announced
26 Oct 2009 | 7:06 amBritish cinema has an unusual structure, with most of the industry working as service suppliers for the American studios, and a promising but fragile "independent" section. The British Independent Film Awards obviously showcase the latter, and feature a very strong line-up of nominees this year, which have just been announced:BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM An EducationFish TankIn The LoopMoonNowhere Boy BEST DIRECTOR Sponsored by The Creative PartnershipAndrea Arnold – Fish TankArmando Iannucci – In The LoopDuncan Jones – MoonJane Campion – Bright StarLone Scherfig – An Education… -
"Journey to Algiers" picks up script award at Namur festival
13 Oct 2009 | 1:56 amNamur's French-speaking movie festival awarded the script prize to writer/director Abdelkrim Bahloul for "Le voyage à Alger/Journey to Algiers", the tale of an Algerian widow's struggle to hold on to her house and six orphans.Bahloul was born in Algeria, studied in France and now works in both countries. His previous film, "Le soleil assassiné" picked up the audience award at Namur in 2003. For the full results (in French), visit FIFF.Get more scriptwriting news on Screenplay Europe now. -
MIPCOM kicks off in Cannes
5 Oct 2009 | 12:47 amThe MIPCOM TV trade fair has kicked off in Cannes. Early news from the kids section is that short-formats are back in style, with a preference for live action. Established characters are being sought out (which is not such good news for people that want to try and create new ones). As scriptwriters it is important to keep an eye on these things, as I don't see the point in working for 18 months on a dead format. Check for details on Cannes or Bust.Get more scriptwriting news on Screenplay Europe now. -
The Italian Job screenwriter dies at 77
16 Sep 2009 | 3:21 amTroy Kennedy Martin, the British screenwriter whose credits include "The Italian Job", died of cancer on September 15 at age 77. Martin first started writing plays at the BBC in 1958, later creating "Storyboard". His most famous TV creation was Liverpool-based police drama "Z-Cars", which subsequently ran for 15 years.His film credits include "The Italian Job", which starred Noel Coward and Michael Caine, "Kelly’s Heroes", "The Jerusalem File" and "Sweeney 2", from the TV series, "The Sweeney, created by his brother Ian Kennedy Martin". He also co-wrote the screenplay for "Red Heat" with… -
Kathyrn Bigelow and Mark Boal in London
11 Aug 2009 | 6:17 amKathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" is picking up pretty breathless reviews. She'll be in London with her screenwriter Mark Boal to talk about it, courtesy of The Script Factory and The Screen on the Green.A preview plus conversation with Kathryn Bigelow & screenwriter Mark Boal August 18Screen on the Green83 Upper StreetLondon N1 0NP Details at The Script Factory.Get more scriptwriting news on Screenplay Europe now.
-
Scriptwriting in the UK
-
Are You Ready?
17 Nov 2009 | 5:54 amWhen you haven't had a break yet, the temptation is to scream THAT YOU COULD DO SO MUCH BETTER compared to what you see on TV or at the flicks."How did that get made?" "The writing was so lazy!" "OMG, what an insult to my intelligence!" "My script has a better premise AND a better story!"Well, hold up one moment. There's a wider system and process at work here. It's not all about the writer. Indeed, the writer would have been hired because of his/her quality work; an impressive portfolio of scripts or a list of produced credits. Producers/execs like to feel assured they're hiring the right… -
iFeatures (& my stuff on t'telly)
12 Nov 2009 | 8:56 amLots of schemes and competitions about at the moment. The Story Works, Sky Movies HD comp etc (and I hope to have news about this year's Red Planet Prize soon). Here's another scheme that's most definitely worth a look. iFeatures digital feature film initiative from South West Screen.Although it is a regional screen agency's initiative set up to promote Bristol as a cultural and cinematic location, it is open to submissions from creative teams nationwide. There's a development slate process and then three films will be made for £300k (BBC Films being one of the partners). Submissions must be… -
Sky Movies Competition
9 Nov 2009 | 2:16 am"Sky Movies, in association with Skillset, is offering one independent film maker the unique opportunity to have their own HD film financed and broadcast on air by Sky.Aspiring film makers are invited to submit their own one-page treatment for a 10 minute HD short film. A panel of industry experts including Sky Movies' Movie Geek presenter Josh Howie, will consider these treatments, before announcing the winner in December.The winning film maker will be awarded £5,000 for equipment hire to shoot and edit their film in High Definition with the film to be shown on Sky Movies Indie HD in the… -
Flog a blog?
3 Nov 2009 | 6:25 amPhoto: Gaping VoidBlogs and networking sites have taken a strange hue of late. It's interesting to see certain online tangents and cliques that are being made while others stomp their feet over internet trolls who gleefully take a swipe at anything or anyone. Twitter is certainly leading the way in that regard but its micro-blogging service is also reducing the regularity and quality of normal blogs. It seems it's easier to tweet or hang out with your friends on Facebook rather than take the time to write a blog post.Only this time last year, blogging was being touted as the way to go. But… -
The Story Works
2 Nov 2009 | 4:27 amA new screenwriting initiative was launched recently, funded by Skillset and in association with EIFF. It's called The Story Works. According to the blurb, it's a "high-level screenwriting initiative aimed at experienced screenwriters which will be delivered by the partnership of story editor Kate Leys as project director, producers Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey as creative advisors and with the Edinburgh International Film Festival."For more info and to download the application forms, click here.
-
Screenwriting Basics
-
Please recommend some great websites for an aspiring screenwriter?
21 Nov 2009 | 9:39 amPages: Prev 1 2 Next (I’ve searched Google on this topic, but I believe there might be some great websites for screenwriters that I am missing.) Thank you for your assistance. Image taken on 2008-04-26 15:25:55 by pierofix. Image Source. (Used with permission) Related posts:What Are The Best Places For An Aspiring Screenwriter To Visit, In California?Screenwriting From the Soul: Letters to an Aspiring ScreenwriterWhat Screenwriting Book Do You Recommend? -
A Beautiful Mind
21 Nov 2009 | 6:37 amPages: Prev 1 2 Next Product DescriptionThe Shooting Script of the new Russell Crowe movie – the true-life story of Nobel Prize winner John Forbes Nash Jr., a mathematical genius almost destroyed by paranoid schizophrenia Handsome and disconcertingly aloof, John Forbes Nash made a brilliant mathematical discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the hectic life he leads, working secretly for the Government, deciphering complex enemy code systems, turns out to be the delusions of advanced schizophrenia. Then begins a long and painful struggle… -
Filmmaking News from Digg.com – 59th Edition
21 Nov 2009 | 6:31 amPages: Prev 1 2 Next CameronClarkFilm.com! This is the website of filmmaker and animator Cameron Clark. You can find his delightful work here. I suggest watching his animation reel first… Super Size Me Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock makes himself a test subject in this documentary about the commercial food industry. Rigorously eating a diet of McDonald’s fast fo… ***** You Scott Stapp (11.18.09 – Day 958) www.howmanydays.ca Creed covers suck. Proof postive right here! www.howmanydays.ca Filmmaker Gavin Michael Booth is on a mission to meet the Hollywood professionals… -
SCREENWRITING FORMAT, free e-book
21 Nov 2009 | 6:18 amPages: Prev 1 2 Next SCREENWRITING FORMAT, free e-book Related posts:SCREENWRITING, free e-bookThe Screenwriting Bible, free e-bookWhat Is The Best Free Online Screenwriting Software Program To Format Scripts To Industry Standards? -
SCREENWRITING, free e-book
21 Nov 2009 | 6:17 amPages: Prev 1 2 Next SCREENWRITING, free e-book Related posts:The Screenwriting Bible, free e-bookSave The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever NeedWhat Screenwriting Book Do You Recommend?
-
Twitter / screenwriting
-
screenwriting: Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg talks New Moon screenplay http://bit.ly/F9KmY
17 Nov 2009 | 9:14 pmscreenwriting: Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg talks New Moon screenplay http://bit.ly/F9KmY -
screenwriting: Win an Emmy, Then Get Fired - Kate Gordon fired from Mad Men despite winning an Emmy http://bit.ly/1LbOaA
16 Oct 2009 | 8:55 pmscreenwriting: Win an Emmy, Then Get Fired - Kate Gordon fired from Mad Men despite winning an Emmy http://bit.ly/1LbOaA -
screenwriting: A History of Violence screenwriter Josh Olson has an interesting article called: I Will Not Read Your F**king Script http://bit.ly/XolPo
11 Sep 2009 | 1:00 amscreenwriting: A History of Violence screenwriter Josh Olson has an interesting article called: I Will Not Read Your F**king Script http://bit.ly/XolPo -
screenwriting: Screenwriter Mark Rizzo and Sex And The City writer Jenny Bicks tapped to adapt Heathers for the small screen. http://bit.ly/kvTry
30 Aug 2009 | 7:09 pmscreenwriting: Screenwriter Mark Rizzo and Sex And The City writer Jenny Bicks tapped to adapt Heathers for the small screen. http://bit.ly/kvTry -
screenwriting: Jenny Deller wins Showtime's Tony Cox Screenplay Competition with her script "Future Weather." http://is.gd/1bsh3
23 Jun 2009 | 8:38 pmscreenwriting: Jenny Deller wins Showtime's Tony Cox Screenplay Competition with her script "Future Weather." http://is.gd/1bsh3
-
UNKNOWN SCREENWRITER
-
The Seven Rays Script-a-Scene Adaptation Competition
19 Nov 2009 | 4:29 pmOkay… You know me. I don’t normally do this but this is one of our own and because I actually DO admire her work, let’s talk about it… Ever heard of Jessica Bendinger? I actually heard her speak in Austin once and was motivated enough to check out STICK IT. So I rented it… And I gotta tell ya… Normally, that type/genre of movie is not my cup of tea but this movie is structurally about as perfect as a movie gets. I liked it so much that I had to get the script and give it a read… It took me a while to find it… Had to ask for a few favors and if… -
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
31 Oct 2009 | 2:49 amTroy Duffy is back! I did a post on Troy a couple of years ago and somehow, I can no longer find it in the database so I guess it didn’t make it through the myriad of WordPress updates and server changes I’ve had to go through since I posted it. Suffice to say that in the end, I said something to the effect of, “Don’t try to break into Hollywood like this guy.” And for the most part, this still goes but that’s not the reason for a new entry on Troy Duffy… I’m here to virtually shake his hand… I’m fucking PROUD of this guy. It took… -
The Elevator Pitch
15 Oct 2009 | 7:31 pmThe Elevator Pitch. You’ve heard of it before… Right? They’re called elevator pitches because you need to be able to pitch your screenplay in the length of time it takes for the person you’re pitching to — to arrive at their floor and exit the elevator. You’ve got to be able to draw them in with a succinct pitch that can be told in 10 to 30 seconds. Could be an actor. Could be a producer. Could be a director. Which brings up a story that’s been passed around for many many years… Unfortunately, I forget the name of the screenwriter but allegedly,… -
New and Improved Questions
9 Oct 2009 | 3:40 amGeez… What’s with all the questions so far this month? Question: Unk, are you a metrosexual screenwriter? Answer: What the fuck is a metrosexual? LOL. Just kidding. I see them everywhere but NOPE. Ain’t one. Question: Unk, should I go to film school or spend the money on making a film? Answer: In this economy? Go to film school. Get drunk. Get laid. Get a degree. Just in case. Question: Unk, how do you come up with high concept ideas? Answer: Get drunk. Get laid. Come up with high concept ideas. Question: Unk, will you come speak at my screenwriting group? Answer: Heads I… -
Get A Manager To Get An Agent?
6 Oct 2009 | 12:36 pmSo I have this script… I’ve worked on it off and on for approximately three years. I don’t need coverage. I don’t need anyone to tell me it’s good. Why? Because I had basically sold it before… Long story. But to make that long story short, suffice to say that it’s all coming back to distribution. LOL. Let’s just say that I have a deal in place IF I WANT IT. And to be honest, I do but the part I don’t like about the deal is that realistically, it could be another two or three years we can do anything with it. Because of distribution.
-
BBC - writersroom
-
UNSOLICITED SCRIPTS: AN UPDATE
19 Nov 2009 | 5:35 amWritersroom is updating the policy on what we do and don't accept, and compiling all our guidelines into one set of Terms & Conditions for anyone sending a script in to us. This is where it lives: Terms & Conditions. They will come into effect as of 1 December 2009. We will now refer writers wherever possible to this information regarding any questions about submitting a script and how the system works. Much of this is brought together from what already exists on the website. But there are some new changes, the main ones being: We will no longer accept unsolicited adaptations We will no… -
New Holby City Script
17 Nov 2009 | 9:17 amWhile investigating recently, we found that some of our scripts were a bit on the old side. So here's a classic Holby City script from earlier in the year - Just A Perfect Day by Dan Sefton, to bring us a little more up to date. I've got a whole bunch more scripts from all sorts of shows lined up to roll out over the next few weeks. But while you're waiting, why not have a poke around in our archive and see if there's something you fancy in the meantime. -
Pilot commission for college writer
12 Nov 2009 | 8:22 amWell, hello there, and sorry not to have been around since August. I've been waiting to have something to say rather than just dropping in for a ramble, but now there are a few things of note. The best news is that a script we developed during the first year of the college has been commissioned for a pilot by BBC3, a tribute to the talent of its writer, John Warburton, and very pleasing indeed to us. It is currently called The Inn Mates, and is being made in the new year by my colleagues in Comedy North, which makes sense since John lives in Manchester. I will be joining Jon Mountague from… -
Qs and As
9 Nov 2009 | 8:46 amJust a quickie to say that we still have a few tickets left for our upcoming Q&A sessions. First up is Miranda Hart on Tuesday 10 November 2009, where she'll be chatting about her new series Miranda, which airs on BBC2 on Monday nights at 8:30pm A week or so later, you can find Stephen Poliakoff and Jane Wright who'll be talking about Stephen's new film Glorious 39. If you're desperate for some Q&A action in the meantime, you could do worse than check out the new interview with Jimmy McGovern. -
Tony Doyle
2 Nov 2009 | 9:10 amThis year's Tony Doyle Bursary for New Writing - supported by us here at the BBC writersroom - is now open for entries, so if you're an Irish writer by birth or residence you should make your way over to our opportunities page and check it out. The Tony Doyle Bursary is a fantastic stepping-stone for new writers which has launched several careers, so well worth a look.
-
MovieBytes - Screenwriting Contests & Markets Online
-
Adventures in Screenwriting: An Unwelcome Visitor
18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmAnd no, I'm not talking about punks egging my house on Halloween. Here I am, plugging merrily away on my latest spec (albeit merrily laboriously, a sentence, a paragraph a page at a time). I'm on page 75, for me the equivalent of being in the seventh inning stretch of a baseball game. I've just hit a double; I'm rounding second and heading towards home when I'm clocked on the head. Not with a baseball, mind you, but with a new idea. -
Script Savvy Contest Winner Optioned
16 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmScreenwriter Sheri Davenport of the San Francisco Bay area has optioned her May 2009 Script Savvy winning screenplay Kiss Me Lucky with Smash Media Films, helmed by producer Harry Winer and Shelley Hack. -
The Movie Deal! Announces Semifinalists
15 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmThe Movie Deal! has announced their 2009 semifinalists in all genres. -
ScriptShadow Announces Top 100 Loglines
15 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmScriptShadow has announced the top 100 loglines from nearly 1,000 entries to ScriptShadow Logline/Screenplay Contest. -
One in Ten Announces Contest Winners
14 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmJ.R. Taylor's BORDERLAND has been named the winner of the 2009 One in Ten Screenwriting Competition.
-
ScriptLinks Updates
-
Competitions - Current (November 15)
17 Nov 2009 | 10:35 pm93 competitions listed, includes 4 Canadian and 11 new competitions. Call for: Pennsylvania, filmmakers, scenes, Iranian, pitches, Great Lakes, Horror. -
*New* Article: Consider Shorts
12 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pmNew article on why and how to write a short script. -
Organizations (Updated)
12 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pmUpdated page with 8 new links. -
Education & Events (Updated)
12 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pmUpdated page with 16 new links. -
Bulletin Board (3 new items)
8 Nov 2009 | 11:30 pmRobert McKee - CBC's The Hour interview with George Stroumboulopoulos * National Screen Institute Drama Prize * ScriptFunnel.com - LA
-
Writing for Performance
-
Screenplay Adaptation Contest (USA Only)
20 Nov 2009 | 1:09 amIt says something that while I'm watching a cheerleader movie instead of saying: "Corr!", "Wha-hey!" and "Hubedah, hubedah!", I'm actually saying:"what a brilliant screenplay!" That's how I felt about "Bring It On". I actually became quite evangelical about it and tried to convert genre snobs. Well, the screenwriter of that movie, Jessica Bendinger has a new book out called The Seven Rays and tweeted me about a USA ONLY adaptation contest based on it.The idea is to read the book and choose a section to adapt into a 2-5 page screenplay. Although you do get the first chapter free on the… -
Preview: "Collision"
8 Nov 2009 | 4:02 pm"This tense, thought provoking drama, made by Greenlit Rights, tells the story of a major road accident and a group of people who have never met, but who all share one devastating moment that will change their lives. The five part serial is a modern epic tale which explores how fragile our lives are. It focuses on how fate and the feeling of immortality behind the wheel play a part in our lives, where events are not always in our control. Amid the tangle of twisted metal and emotional turmoil wrought by the tragedy of a crash of this scale, are the stories of the victims, and the impact of… -
Grammar
6 Nov 2009 | 2:10 pmInteresting debate on Twitter about grammar today. I was told that whenever you address someone you're supposed to use a comma. Personally, I always use a stamp. But seriously, apparently "Hello, Katie" is grammatically correct and "Hello Katie" is not. I'm of a generation where grammar wasn't considered important for children to learn. Never mind the antiquated rare rules, the very basics wasn't taught. (Or is that "weren't taught"?)If someone mentioned pronouns and adverbs, I would pretend I knew what they were talking about while panicking inside.The Twitter debate brought back those old… -
Linkage - 30/10/2009
30 Oct 2009 | 1:08 amWhy Britain can’t do The WireProspect"The critically acclaimed US television drama could not be made here. We have writing talent in abundance, but its output is controlled by a stifling monopoly—the BBC. Plus, an interview with The Wire's creator David Simon"LinkWe must embrace failure to find great success in dramaBroadcast"It’s worth the risk if we find the next great British drama series, says Ben Stephenson."LinkCan the writers change the script?Screendaily.com"On paper, these cash-conscious times look particularly tough for screenwriters. But, as Geoffrey Macnab reports, the… -
Moviescope relaunch
28 Oct 2009 | 11:56 pm"movieScope Magazine, Issue 14 has arrived!We've made some major changes to movieScope Magazine to make it even more relevant to you, whether you're a screenwriter, director, producer, or independent filmmaker.movieScope now includes 80 pages of pure screenwriting and filmmaking insight and opinion from some of the most respected names in journalism and filmmaking... Michael Gubbins (former editor of Screen International), Mick Southworth (Managing Director of The Works UK), Julian Friedmann (see below), Michael Brandt (co-screenwriter of Wanted and 3:10 to Yuma), Roberto Schaefer…
-
By Ken Levine
-
Who played guitar on BECKER?
20 Nov 2009 | 7:30 pmIt's Friday Question Day on Saturday. Also an excuse to show an episode of BECKER I wrote and directed.LeeFranke wonders:"Who is playing guitar between the scenes on TV's Becker?"I asked the source, Bruce Miller, who composed the theme and did all the music on BECKER (along with FRASIER and a million other shows -- Bruce is the best!)Ken...........the guitarist is my son Jason Miller. A short backstory is that when I met with Dave Hackel (series creator), well before the pilot shot, we decided on a very raw element to the music to represent the doc -- pretty crusty guy as we know. My example… -
Happy Birthday Rocky & Bullwinkle!
20 Nov 2009 | 12:08 pmThanks to friend of the blog, Bob Elisberg for reminding me that yesterday Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle Moose turned 50. Their show premiered on ABC on November 19, 1959. Robert DeNiro almost killed them a few years ago in his sort-of live-action movie of the dynamic duo. But neither DeNiro, or Boris Badanov, or Natasha (who had great knockers for a cartoon character – better even than Betty Rubble’s), or Mr. Big, or the networks could ultimately squash the plucky squirrel and the moose with the IQ of Sarah Palin. Zany Jay Ward created the series. He also had a hand in the… -
Holiday Movie Preview Part 3
19 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pmFriday's question has been pushed back till tomorrow. Too many movies, too few free passes. SHERLOCK HOLMES – Robert Downey Jr. plays the super-sleuth but with a twist – he’s an action hero. Catch phrase: “Ele-fucking-mentry, Watson!”WHITE RIBBON – Various atrocities within a German village right before World War I. Perfect for when the kiddies are out of school!THE YOUNG VICTORIA – Before she was a stuffy repressed wizened old crone she was known as “party in a bag”. Emily Blunt as the young Vicky.YOUTH IN REVOLT – Michael Cera plays a nerd and his suave alter-ego in this… -
Holiday Movie Preview Part 2
18 Nov 2009 | 7:37 pmTHE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE – Robin Wright as a woman who looks back at her life. I wonder if any character says to her, “Well, Pippa, you made some bad mistakes in your life but at least you didn’t marry Sean Penn.”ARMORED – Armored car robbery by its guards. Actually I wonder why this doesn’t happen 12,000 times a year.BROTHERS – When Natalie Portman’s husband is missing in Afghanistan, she turns to his brother, Jake Gyllenhaal for solace. Uh oh.EVERYBODY’S FINE – Robert DeNiro as a widower. That’s what Natalie Portman’s husband is going to be if he ever comes… -
Holiday Movie Preview!!
17 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pmHo ho ho! It's time for this year's Holiday Movie Preview, or what you'll be seeing on HBO in February. THE MESSENGER – Ben Foster just back from Iraq gets a fun job in the Army’s Casualty Notification service. And you thought those telemarketers were annoying…OH MY GOD! – Documentary about faith where some of the world’s leading thinkers are interviewed – like Ringo Starr.PIRATE RADIO – Hey, they finally released it! For a synopsis see my previous Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter previews.2012 – The world blows up. So take out those 30-year loans with big balloon payments in…
-
A Bucket of Love
-
austin film fest 2009 -- "Saturday"
9 Nov 2009 | 1:06 pmI've noticed a funny development in recent trips to AFF: where once I had to set alarm clocks (yes, plural) in order to wake myself for morning panels, now I find that I tend to wake up around 7:30 no matter what time I slimed back into my rack the night previous. Likely as not this is just the pain in the ass habits hammered into my brain as part of parenting -- I've been waking to wrestle kids out of bed and through breakfast and to the bus stop and off to school for so long that it's alien to not have that duty hanging every morning.So there I am again in the Driskill Lounge by 9am, bushy… -
status: active projects today
5 Nov 2009 | 9:37 amSomeone noted the other day that the progress bars on the left sidebar here have changed, and they asked if there was anything worth reporting. Clearly, if I had reason to gloat or complain specifically, I think it's been established by now that By God I would be gloating or complaining.More likely, both at once.Short answer is "no, there remains as yet no specific irrefutable reason to gloat."But rumblings and bubblings continue:"QUEEN OF THE SKY", the big bio-pic about WW2 Soviet aviatrix Lilya Litvyak, remains very much an impossible dream. Yes, there is (allegedly) a similar/parallel… -
a brief pause in the playback
1 Nov 2009 | 8:01 amI've still got more than a few fistfuls of noise to throw regarding the recent conference at AFF2009, but today will be another distraction.Due to a slew (perhaps even a slew and a half) of events and responsibilities having recently been cleared from the Great Mental Dry Erase List Of "Crap I Somehow Got Myself Into," I find myself in a mood and state conducive to writing. Of course, I'm not yet yet truly free to set all sheets and run before the wind, as I still have one more Major Event looming, one more deadline with responsibility.Today is our Boy Scout troop's annual recruiting event,… -
austin film fest 2009 -- "Friday"
29 Oct 2009 | 2:02 pmOne of my odd points of pride w/r/t the AFF conference is that I have never yet missed a morning panel. Despite all the nights which bled into early pre-dawn mornings, the afterparties and overnighters and whatnot, all the drink and all the fun, I have, for whatever reason, always always always answered the bell and been cleaned up, dressed, caffeinated and able to be a part of that following morning's first panel.Same this year. Despite Cabernet w/ Kasdan to cap a long hard night of indulging, by 9 AM Friday I was already deep into tapping notes into the laptop and scanning to determine… -
austin film fest 2009 -- "Thursday"
28 Oct 2009 | 12:46 pmThursday at the conference always feels like Round One of a big fight: you know there's going to be action, but early on it always feels like everyone is sorta gauging things, feeling things out, getting a sense of how it all will fit together this year.More handshakes. More introductions. More excited happy reunions. Bill True, aka "The Nicest Guy In The World." Shane Black, aka, "Mr Self-Torture."Some of our crew have been doing this Austin thing together for so long that some odd informal traditions seem to have developed. Among those are "Thursday is Irish Pub Day." I really have no idea…
-
My Next One Will Be Better
-
VloMo09 Day 3 – The Beach
3 Nov 2009 | 3:41 pmHere’s a little number I rustled up this evening… The Beach from Andy Coughlan on Vimeo. -
VloMo09 Day 2 – Moon Bread
2 Nov 2009 | 2:38 pmI had prepared a long ramble for tonight’s post, but it fell over when I tried to upload it to YouTube (it was long and I didn’t want to wast my free Vimeo storage. Edit: It’s now also on Vimeo here, but it’s a bit dull). Luckily I did a test upload of another clip to Vimeo to try out my dodgy Aldi’s camcorder (I’m struggling to edit the ffmpeg codec on my Mac , or do anthing useful with it, so I’m restricted to single clips at the moment). Moon Bread from Andy Coughlan on Vimeo. -
VloMo09 Day 1
1 Nov 2009 | 2:18 pmNaVloPoMo Day 1 from Andy Coughlan on Vimeo. -
Calling everyone with a Web Site!
2 Sep 2009 | 3:58 pmI wondered if I might ask a bit of a favour of you? If you have time, and want to feel all warm and squishy, could I trouble you to add either a link to Geeky Gifts on your own site/blog, or, if your feeling uber-generous, perhaps one of these nifty banner ads wot I ‘ave made? If you’d like reciprocal links back to your site, let me know and I’ll set up links to you from this blog (if there isn’t one already) and the Return to Earth site. How’s that!? A two for one offer! I’ve got four banners in two sizes - 1) 120×60 Generic Button: 2) 120×60… -
Huh, Geek!
25 Aug 2009 | 3:45 pmIt’s been quiet round here of late, but doesn’t mean there’s been no activity chez Cogs. Oh no Siree! The latest draft of Return to Earth is almost in the bag (I know I keep saying it, but I’ve struggled with the third act – a moment of clarity last week has unclogged the old grey matter though). I’ve also been busy coding. The latest effort is Geeky Gifts, which I urge/beg/implore you to check out, and perhaps, with the evenings drawing in and Christmas just around the corner, to consider purchasing one or two gifts for your loved ones through the site. Go…
-
ALLIGATORS IN A HELICOPTER
-
Weekend Box Office #161
20 Nov 2009 | 12:52 pmTheaters should be crowded this weekend --THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON (4024 theaters). Apparently this has to do with vampires, or werewolves, or something. I don't have any interest, but teenage girls everywhere do, and this will undoubtedly do a ton this weekend. Call it $51.2 million.THE BLIND SIDE (3110 theaters). It's getting good reviews, which will help a lot. Prediction: $17.8 million.PLANET 51 (3035 theaters). Reviews for this aren't as good, while the aliens look like Shrek ripoffs. Still, the kids have to see something. $12.4 million. -
Computer Problems Suck, Especially For One-Eyed Men
18 Nov 2009 | 8:08 amSo I missed a Friday posting last week for the first time in a long time, because my desktop died. Apparently it's the motherboard. I'm getting a new tower; should be delivered next week sometime.Meanwhile I'm toiling on my laptop linked to the Internet, which doesn't have nearly the laptop my memory has. Which is a good thing; it means I'm spending less time on the Internet, which means I'm working more. And writing more.I'm currently turning my Nicholl Fellowship into a one-hour pilot. It's keeping me off the streets.Also keeping me off the streets is the fact that I had cataract surgery on… -
Weekend Box Office #159
6 Nov 2009 | 1:59 pmIt's November, so the movies should be getting better. Theoretically.A CHRISTMAS CAROL (3683 theaters). Do we really need yet another version of the same old story, this one with not-particularly-thrilling looking computer animation? It's an awful lot of screens, but I don't think it's going to be huge, especially since Christmas isn't for 8 weeks yet. Figure $18.6 million.THE BOX (2635 theaters). I read this screenplay once upon a time for someone, and I don't remember much about it, other than it was okay. $12.4 million.THE FOURTH KIND (2529 theaters). Reviews have not been good. $6.5… -
Weekend Box Office #158
30 Oct 2009 | 1:37 pmThe only movie opening this weekend actually opened Wednesday: MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT, on 3481 theaters.Despite decent reviews, numbers so far are lower than the lofty numbers predicted, and Halloween being on a Saturday won't help. Figure $19.4 million for the weekend.And I think the title is an empty promise: we're going to be getting lots more Michael Jackson stuff, as long as they can figure out how to make lots of money from it.******Last weekend, SAW VI stumbled and only made $14.1, finishing second, well behind PARANORMAL ACTIVITY. Everyone is looking for cheap horror movies… -
Weekend Box Office #157
23 Oct 2009 | 10:16 amThe days are just flying by. Crazy.I haven't been to a movie in months, though tonight the wife and I are going to see something. Not sure what, yet.Opening wide this weekend:SAW VI (3036 theaters). Number 6? Really? Isn't the string played out yet? Haven't they already killed off everyone? Does its audience even know what "VI" means (and how sad is it that if they do, it's the one thing all that Roman numeral education was good for). Figure $18.7 million for the weekend.ASTRO BOY (3014 theaters). I don't see a huge amount of adult crossover here, though I suppose kids will see it.
-
clarkblog
-
SOUL FOOD
17 Nov 2009 | 4:16 pm -
WORKSHOPPING
18 Oct 2009 | 4:10 pmI've been accepted to the Warner Bros. TV Writers' Workshop. This intensive program is designed to prepare new writers for a career in television. It's one of the best such programs going in Hollywood and I'm thrilled and thankful beyond words.As someone who has been applying to this program for years, I'm glad I finally wrote a spec script that got someone's attention. The past specs I submitted weren't up to snuff and I knew that better than anyone.The workshop isn't the only way into the business, but over the years its reputation and influence have grown… -
DOCTOR WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY
5 Oct 2009 | 8:26 amI've been reading Russell T. Davies The Writer's Tale, which is hands-down not only the best book on TV writing I've ever read, it's a great book on writing period.The Writer's Tale is mostly a series of emails Davies traded with journalist Benjamin Cook, who wanted to document what it's like to create a show like Doctor Who. That's an ambitious goal because there is literally no other show like Doctor Who. It's the longest-running sci-fi TV program in history, about an adventerous alien being who travels space and time and has a strong liking for us… -
SWEET MADNESS
28 Sep 2009 | 5:42 pmExplore the cultural and political influences that help shape TV's best show: The Footnotes of Mad Men. -
OUTRAGEOUS
24 Sep 2009 | 8:05 am
-
Scriptwriting in the UK
-
Are You Ready?
17 Nov 2009 | 5:54 amWhen you haven't had a break yet, the temptation is to scream THAT YOU COULD DO SO MUCH BETTER compared to what you see on TV or at the flicks."How did that get made?" "The writing was so lazy!" "OMG, what an insult to my intelligence!" "My script has a better premise AND a better story!"Well, hold up one moment. There's a wider system and process at work here. It's not all about the writer. Indeed, the writer would have been hired because of his/her quality work; an impressive portfolio of scripts or a list of produced credits. Producers/execs like to feel assured they're hiring the right… -
iFeatures (& my stuff on t'telly)
12 Nov 2009 | 8:56 amLots of schemes and competitions about at the moment. The Story Works, Sky Movies HD comp etc (and I hope to have news about this year's Red Planet Prize soon). Here's another scheme that's most definitely worth a look. iFeatures digital feature film initiative from South West Screen.Although it is a regional screen agency's initiative set up to promote Bristol as a cultural and cinematic location, it is open to submissions from creative teams nationwide. There's a development slate process and then three films will be made for £300k (BBC Films being one of the partners). Submissions must be… -
Sky Movies Competition
9 Nov 2009 | 2:16 am"Sky Movies, in association with Skillset, is offering one independent film maker the unique opportunity to have their own HD film financed and broadcast on air by Sky.Aspiring film makers are invited to submit their own one-page treatment for a 10 minute HD short film. A panel of industry experts including Sky Movies' Movie Geek presenter Josh Howie, will consider these treatments, before announcing the winner in December.The winning film maker will be awarded £5,000 for equipment hire to shoot and edit their film in High Definition with the film to be shown on Sky Movies Indie HD in the… -
Flog a blog?
3 Nov 2009 | 6:25 amPhoto: Gaping VoidBlogs and networking sites have taken a strange hue of late. It's interesting to see certain online tangents and cliques that are being made while others stomp their feet over internet trolls who gleefully take a swipe at anything or anyone. Twitter is certainly leading the way in that regard but its micro-blogging service is also reducing the regularity and quality of normal blogs. It seems it's easier to tweet or hang out with your friends on Facebook rather than take the time to write a blog post.Only this time last year, blogging was being touted as the way to go. But… -
The Story Works
2 Nov 2009 | 4:27 amA new screenwriting initiative was launched recently, funded by Skillset and in association with EIFF. It's called The Story Works. According to the blurb, it's a "high-level screenwriting initiative aimed at experienced screenwriters which will be delivered by the partnership of story editor Kate Leys as project director, producers Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey as creative advisors and with the Edinburgh International Film Festival."For more info and to download the application forms, click here.
-
Dead Things ON Sticks
-
Value for Sunning
20 Nov 2009 | 2:47 pmWELL, I'M OUT of here for a week. Lighting out to Sunny Florida.Next week we've got something special planned. Hope you'll be able to make it back for a few new voices in this space.I'll see you sometime after the Grey Cup.Go Stamps!--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com-- -
News As The Canary
20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 amINTERESTING ARTICLE IN Playback:The champagne corks are popping at CHCH in Hamilton.The local TV station, recently purchased for $12 by Channel Zero, has seen its supper-hour newscast become highly competitive this fall in nearby Toronto, the country's biggest and most lucrative advertising market.According to BBM Canada, CTV's 6 p.m. newscast led all comers from Aug. 31 to Nov. 15 in total (2+) viewers with 283,000 on average, while CHCH has fought a three-horse race for second place with Citytv Toronto and Global Television.City averaged 134,000 viewers, followed by Global with 120,000… -
Different Industry, Same Dream, Harsh Reality.
20 Nov 2009 | 8:09 amY'ALL MIGHT FIND this interesting. A no-B.S. breakdown of how you won't get rich just by having a book on the New York Times bestseller list. Should give the starry-eyed AND the haters something to think on...(H/t @kazza323)--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com-- -
Holy Cow.
19 Nov 2009 | 6:05 pmUM. WHEN DID Parks & Recreation get so damn funny?Death of the sitcom, my overwatered kiester.--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com-- -
On The Raydio
18 Nov 2009 | 4:46 pmONE OF THE interviews I did this morning, for CBC's Toronto Morning show, Metro Morning, with the venerable Andy Barrie is up and available for download. I have to get a better phone.Andy's questions were really great -- and he's very informed on the subject. I think it's a pretty good interview. Listen and see if you agree.--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com--
-
Living the Romantic Comedy
-
Yakiimo
15 Nov 2009 | 10:18 pm"We were in Japan in the wintertime, and we heard this... sound in the night. We were in Shimoda, which is this tiny little town on the coastline. And there was this calling, singing in the night..."Simone sings, a plaintive call in a low, lonely tone:"Ya-ki-imo-oh, yakiiiiii-mo... And it sounded almost like the Muslim call to prayer. Minor, beautiful. And then we were in Fujisawa, hanging out after the show with the promoter and his girlfriend and we were walking home and everyone was drunk, walking to the train station, and then we heard it… -
From Dark to Dawn
8 Nov 2009 | 9:46 pmIn the third season finale of Mad Men, Don Draper, the walking quintessence of ad-manology, has to pitch his formerly taken-for-granted creative exec Peggy on staying with him, and he tells her why he needs her:There are people out there who buy things, people like you and me. And something happened. Something terrible. And the way that they saw themselves is gone. And nobody understands that. But you do. And that's very valuable. The speech is a kind of blank verse reiteration of what the series is about, a neat summation of what its auteur… -
Man at Work
1 Nov 2009 | 2:24 pmSomehow, Living the RomCom got nearly to the end of this year without once mentioning Michael Jackson - no small feat, given the blitzkrieg of overkill information we've been subjected to since his demise this past June (I know, you're thinking: Wait, wait - Michael Jackson died?! Why didn't anyone say so?). The jaded Industry Insider demon that lurks within me, hearing that a documentary of his concert rehearsal footage was being rushed into production, heaved a cynical sigh.Fie on said demon. I have seen This is It, and I'm here to merely tell… -
A Letter to My Father
25 Oct 2009 | 4:33 pmDear Dad,It's still near-impossible to believe that you were here in the world with us only a week ago, and now you're gone for good. None of us - Mom, John, no one who knew you, evidently - can get their minds around this. The word that keeps coming up when people talk about Dick Mernit is vital. A big presence like yours leaves a palpable hole, and there's been quite a wave of emotion rushing in to fill the absence. You wouldn't believe the things people have been saying about you.I am so glad that I had the great good luck to meet your… -
The Silence of God and Other Great Gags
18 Oct 2009 | 9:05 pmOh, those Coen Bros. Love 'em or hate 'em, there's no denying they make technically stunning films (as opposed to movies) with a distinct auteurist voice, and they keep churning them out, gaining Oscars or being ignored, producing a body of work that seems to exist in its own private cinematic universe, about as free from matters of market and popular taste as the oeuvre of Woody Allen.I've had a conflicted relationship with their work from the get, exalting in some (count me in as a happy member of the cult of Lebowski), reviling a few (I'm of the minority…
-
INDELIBLE FRECKLES
-
Vacuum
21 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amIn the vacuum left by the season finale of Mad Men, the Fortress Mamea inhabitants have been at a bit of a loose end. We enjoyed a fling with Better Off Ted, had our injections with Nurse Jackie, but they too have gone the way of Mad Men. I’m at a similar place with my slate. Having reached my writing objectives for the year, I’m now trying to raise my film and TV viewing stats (59 finishes and 33 walk-/turn-offs to date, compared to 2008’s 94 and 19, respectively), as well as my reading stats (there’s a gaping hole from July to September that I don’t think I can… -
Why I Write
15 Nov 2009 | 9:00 amWith the silly season upon us, the incidence of social functions increases astronomically and I find myself looking for new excuses not to go. End-of-year do’s are rife with traps like people you swore you’d run through with any handy pointed instrument the next time you saw them, or small talk that turns to the inevitable question of what one does for a living. The former situation, I can deal with; the latter situation, however, is a challenge: If I’m keeping a low profile, I tell them my day job which guarantees a very quick change of topic to current affairs or sport. If… -
Point & Click
11 Nov 2009 | 1:00 amGreetings earthlings. Phill Barron has an excellent parable about being a writer for hire. (And if you’re reading this in… wherever Mr Barron lives in the UK, he has a car for sale.) Why aren’t there more interviews like this, hm? I just have to share this: (Fedora tip: Jill Golick.) And having shed a tear or few over the season three finale of Mad Men, these articles from Vanity Fair and American Cinematographer make tremendously fascinating reading. (Fedora-tips: The Goddess and Gareth James, respectively.) -
Boo
2 Nov 2009 | 11:15 pmReturning from the screening last Saturday afternoon (by way of the hardware store and a food hall-lunch), we noticed some mini-ghouls out and about in the late afternoon. Bloody Halloween, I groaned, and The Goddess patted my knee. I hate trick-or-treaters. There’s no childhood trauma or such for this hatred. Halloween figured in my childhood only so far as school lessons suddenly turning to jack o’ lanterns and how once upon a time ’twas hallowed evening. I got my scares aplenty with the telly’s Sunday Horrors, thank you very much. Snapping back to the present… -
TO’ONA’I – Screening
27 Oct 2009 | 5:00 pmSst. There will be a screening of To’ona’i at the Academy Cinemas in Auckland on Saturday 31 October at 12:30pm. It’s a cast, crew, friends, family and supporters screening, and being the inclusive kind of guy that I am, you’re welcome to come for a gander and maybe a natter.
-
The Screenwrightist
-
Eternal Sources of Character Story Conflict
27 Oct 2009 | 5:09 amPlaywriting and much television writing is mostly dialogue. What people say to each other can come off as simply talk if there is no character motivation behind it. When writing dialogue it is easy to bless whatever comes out of your head as gold, but a yardstick can help keep the drama taut and the situation believable. Nearly anything that comes out of a character's mouth is an action, an attempt to get something from the other person or make them do something. Though a character may have a different long-term goal in mind, these subjects are constant possible sources of conflict among… -
TV Writing is Mostly About Dialogue
31 Jul 2009 | 1:22 pmWriters often put on paper whatever comes into their minds first. Freewriting is a great skill to have, but a consideration of the media you are writing for can help you communicate in it best. Just as novels cannot as accurately describe things like a photograph, there are certain things television does well that should be played to. photo: crostinii Although television does include moving images, dialogue is the driving force behind it. This is best proven by the way television is produced and consumed. Small Screens Are As Good As Big Televisions screens vary in size from huge to tiny, but… -
Why Write a Short Film
30 Apr 2009 | 3:27 pmMany writers overlook short form material, concentrating on full-length works such as novels, films, and plays. Though longer works can seem more fulfilling and more in demand than shorter pieces, there are some great reasons to put effort into short writings. A short film especially holds a lot of value for a writer in that it could be produced more easily, possibly by the writer. With internet video distribution so ubiquitous and its focus on short form content, it is much easier to get people to watch such videos. photo: Samuelraj Aside from opportunities to get short films seen online,… -
Writers Should Learn Story Structure
25 Mar 2009 | 1:43 pmphoto: oscheneMany writers just write whatever comes in their head and when it feels "finished" they bring it to friends and then share it with the world. They do not believe in any kind of act structure and feel constrained by the idea of craft. These writers yearn to be able to do whatever they want and do not feel the need to impinge their creative juices. Though story structure is a set of restrictions it is not much different than many other restrictions that we take for granted. Writers do not rail against the tyranny of the English language and how if it just were not for the words we… -
Writing Places Most Writers Overlook
24 Feb 2009 | 5:09 amphoto: Tuvie Writing is mostly a solitary activity. Since writing only requires a writer and a writing instrument, writers spend a fair amount of time alone. Although others can be around as the writing happens, they are not necessary and can even sometimes get in the way. Being along so often many writers can lose sight of what they are doing and generally feel disconnected from life. Reality is the well from whence their stories spring and being alone too much can make it run dry. This and other social reasons leads many writers to do their writing in public places. Not only can it fulfill…
-
Running With My Eyes Closed
-
Cra$h & Burn
14 Nov 2009 | 6:27 pmShowrunner Malcolm MacRury’s new series Cra$h & Burn premieres on Showcase this Wednesday night, November the 18th. You should definitely watch it. The show is terrific and entertaining. Malcolm was a guest at a recent Writers Watching TV screening in Toronto and he talked at length about the genesis of the series and the writing process that drives it. The entire discussion was recorded and is now available as the second in the Writers Talking TV podcast series. Download it from the WGC site or iTunes. Or just click here and listen now. -
My Google Collection
13 Nov 2009 | 7:53 pmThey got this one up quickly. It signifies the water on the moon! Awesome! -
An Awesome Message from the WGC
13 Nov 2009 | 12:55 pm -
It’s Not Grover
11 Nov 2009 | 5:41 am…Google celebrates Remembrance Day. The poppy didn’t make it into the main logo. Instead it’s underneath. I don’t believe I’ve seen Google mark a special day in this way before: with the image under the search bar. The poppy isn’t linked to anything. When you click on it, you don’t get taken to a Google search that explains it the way you are when Google marks an event within the logo. -
Grover Day… Sort of
10 Nov 2009 | 4:48 amThis is no tribute to Grover’s total awesome furry cuteness. But at least he made the cut. Happy Birthday Sesame Street. Congrats Childrens Television Workshop.
-
The Screenwrightist
-
Eternal Sources of Character Story Conflict
27 Oct 2009 | 5:09 amPlaywriting and much television writing is mostly dialogue. What people say to each other can come off as simply talk if there is no character motivation behind it. When writing dialogue it is easy to bless whatever comes out of your head as gold, but a yardstick can help keep the drama taut and the situation believable. Nearly anything that comes out of a character's mouth is an action, an attempt to get something from the other person or make them do something. Though a character may have a different long-term goal in mind, these subjects are constant possible sources of conflict among… -
TV Writing is Mostly About Dialogue
31 Jul 2009 | 1:22 pmWriters often put on paper whatever comes into their minds first. Freewriting is a great skill to have, but a consideration of the media you are writing for can help you communicate in it best. Just as novels cannot as accurately describe things like a photograph, there are certain things television does well that should be played to. photo: crostinii Although television does include moving images, dialogue is the driving force behind it. This is best proven by the way television is produced and consumed. Small Screens Are As Good As Big Televisions screens vary in size from huge to tiny, but… -
Why Write a Short Film
30 Apr 2009 | 3:27 pmMany writers overlook short form material, concentrating on full-length works such as novels, films, and plays. Though longer works can seem more fulfilling and more in demand than shorter pieces, there are some great reasons to put effort into short writings. A short film especially holds a lot of value for a writer in that it could be produced more easily, possibly by the writer. With internet video distribution so ubiquitous and its focus on short form content, it is much easier to get people to watch such videos. photo: Samuelraj Aside from opportunities to get short films seen online,… -
Writers Should Learn Story Structure
25 Mar 2009 | 1:43 pmphoto: oscheneMany writers just write whatever comes in their head and when it feels "finished" they bring it to friends and then share it with the world. They do not believe in any kind of act structure and feel constrained by the idea of craft. These writers yearn to be able to do whatever they want and do not feel the need to impinge their creative juices. Though story structure is a set of restrictions it is not much different than many other restrictions that we take for granted. Writers do not rail against the tyranny of the English language and how if it just were not for the words we… -
Writing Places Most Writers Overlook
24 Feb 2009 | 5:09 amphoto: Tuvie Writing is mostly a solitary activity. Since writing only requires a writer and a writing instrument, writers spend a fair amount of time alone. Although others can be around as the writing happens, they are not necessary and can even sometimes get in the way. Being along so often many writers can lose sight of what they are doing and generally feel disconnected from life. Reality is the well from whence their stories spring and being alone too much can make it run dry. This and other social reasons leads many writers to do their writing in public places. Not only can it fulfill…
-
Mystery Man on Film
-
101 Best Of MM Articles!
3 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pmHey guys,I’m back for one last post – links to 101 of my best articles!Who needs film school?-MMCinematic StorytellingI read Cinematic Storytelling, which was written by the great Jennifer Van Sijll, and I just LOVED IT. This should be in the library of every aspiring screenwriter on the planet and every single technique should be memorized backwards and forwards. Period. This book is exactly what the screenwriting community needs right now.The Art of Visual Storytelling…reminds me of a quote by Ingmar Bergman’s Swedish cinematographer, Sven Nykvist: The truth always lies in the… -
I've moved!
5 Sep 2009 | 9:21 amHey guys,I’ve moved! You can find me athttp://www.mysteryman.org/ About the new site:- I was finding that most of the things I used to blog about ("news," "around blogosphere," "check out this article" type posts) I now tweet, which doesn't take up as much time. This new site will be premium content only, which means true articles written by me.- A comments section for articles is a feature they're still developing and should be available in a couple of months. Until then, talk to me on Twitter- Those who were receiving e-mail notifications for the old blog will continue to get e-mails… -
Until we meet again…
22 Aug 2009 | 8:22 amHey guys,I think it’s time for a new website, don’t you? Nothing terribly ground-breaking, just a little more organized, a little flashier. So we are devoting all of our energies to the as yet unnamed site, which I will announce here in due time. Until then, you can catch me on Twitter.In fact, I tweeted last night about smoking my first Cuban cigar. Above is a pic of me holding the soft, smooth, almost leathery, Cohiba Cubana that was accompanied by some Courvoisier VSOP Cognac. Below are pics of our special spot, which was heart-stoppingly gorgeous. The old man (twice my age) is my… -
In Celebration of Hitchcock
13 Aug 2009 | 9:45 pmHey guys,Yesterday was Alfred Hitchcock’s 110th birthday. He was born on the east of London at Leytonstone on August 13, 1899.To celebrate, MTV posted Faith No More's video of "Last Cup of Sorrow,” a comical yet faithful homage to the master’s canon of great films. Lindsay Goldwert and Emily Christensen Flowers celebrated at ABC. Megan Wedge compiled some quotes for the Examiner. The National had a nice piece on the master of suspense. Psycho recently topped Telegraph’s poll of 10 Greatest Movie Shower Scenes. And I have to mention Bill Martel’s great, thoughtful ongoing series for… -
Script Review - “Balls Out”
9 Aug 2009 | 9:42 pmBALLS OUTA Truly Somewhat AWESOME Original ScreenplaybyTHE ROBOTARD 8000I can’t tell you how many e-mails I’ve received about this script. Over a hundred, I’ll bet, all asking (sometimes begging) me to do a script review. I added this to my to-do list. And God help me, the moment has arrived. So I took time out last weekend (from writing, tweeting watching the masterpieces of Kurosawa, and studying Shakespeare) to consider a script called Balls Out by The Robotard 8000. First, the script is available here via The Robotard 8000 who also twitters. In fact, he has a (tasteless/insulting?)…
