Screenwriting

• 
  Jane in Progress

• Monday: Taking a Break...

  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,…

• 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

• Conventions and Conveniences

  Alex Epstein

  9 Feb 2010 | 8:26 am

  Rewatching BLADE RUNNER this weekend I was struck by how in 2019 we're supposed to have off-world colonies, but Deckard still needs to use a payphone. (A video payphone, of course. Because in the future we'll all want to see each other's faces when we talk. Heh.)One thing I've noticed occasionally in contemporary TV, scripts or on air, is sometimes writers use old technology because it makes the story easier to plot. For example, someone loses their precious handwritten notebook. Or someone is stranded somewhere because they don't have a cell phone. Don't write with old tech. It's lame. No…

• "I Want to Talk Briefly About Pandering"

  Alex Epstein

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:38 am

  An audience wants a story to be over, an audience wants a happy ending, and an audience wants to relax. Those are all things that someone who’s purveying to a mass audience can’t possibly put up with. Can’t have that happen. T. L. Reid went to the Future of Story conference in Edmonton last weekend, where Hart Hanson, showrunner of BONES, was the keynote speaker, and went to the trouble of transcribing Hart's fascinating talk. What I find most interesting about the talk was his thoughts on what makes a mass audience show, what the audience wants and what keeps them watching. (He loves…

• The Superbowl, Directed by Auteurs

  Alex Epstein

  5 Feb 2010 | 2:47 pm

• Conventional wisdom overheard at the Telefilm Multiplatform Conference:

  Alex Epstein

  4 Feb 2010 | 11:05 am

  Part two of Lisa's foray into the oncoming wave of multiplatform content that Telefilm, at least, is insisting on.1. “The television advertising model is broken.” I got the impression that, as far as advertisers are concerned, a YouTube of a sock puppet yodeling is just as good as, say, the finale of THE SOPRANOS. Maybe even better. Kate Hanley at Digital Theory Media Consulting (www.digitaltheory.ca) makes a convincing case (which I won’t re-create here because it’s proprietary, and as a writer, I care about things like that).2. “Expensive-to-produce content is doomed.”Really? I…

• How Do I Clear Script Compare?

  Alex Epstein

  4 Feb 2010 | 10:53 am

  Hey, Final Draft mavens:I've used ScriptCompare in Final Draft to compare two scripts. Then I cut the stuff I don't want to see in the script. But some of the script is in blue (new text) and some is in red/strikeout (old text). I can manually change these back to black and non-struck-out. But I'm concerned there's some formatting still embedded in there. Clear Revised does nothing. Revert Paragraph does nothing. The manual is, of course, useless. Is there a way to Accept/Reject Changes as there is in Word? Or just clear the Script Compare formatting?

• 
  johnaugust.com

• Upon further reflection, it’s a bit overused

  John

  9 Feb 2010 | 11:14 am

  From FourFour, home of earlier No Signal supercut, comes another montage of movie tropes, this one involving medicine cabinet mirrors and their kin.

• Tales from the script

  John

  5 Feb 2010 | 9:54 am

  I’m interviewed in the new book Tales from the Script, which talks to a bunch of screenwriters about their experience working in the industry. I just got a review copy, and I’ll confess that the only thing I’ve done so far is flip through to make sure my quotes are reasonably coherent. And they are — so kudos to the copy editor. As I turned pages, I noticed many things I want to go back and read, including bits by the always-entertaining Josh Friedman and Shane Black. The book also features Frank Darabont, Nora Ephron, Paul Schrader, David Hayter and more than 40…

• Prepping for the Directors Close-Up panels

  John

  3 Feb 2010 | 2:47 pm

  Tonight and next Wednesday, I’ll be hosting the Directors Close-Up panels for Film Independent. Tonight’s director is Jason Reitman, joined by cinematographer Eric Steelberg, editor Dana E. Glauberman and composer Rolfe Kent. We’ll be talking about Up In The Air, Juno and Thank You For Smoking. Next Wednesday’s director guest will be announced tonight. We’ll be talking about casting and working with actors. Word from the organizers is that it’s almost sold out, but “a limited number of passes” will still be available at the door if you want to…

• 10 hints for index cards

  John

  3 Feb 2010 | 4:53 am

  I’m outlining a project right now, and thought it would be a good time to review best practices for index cards. Keep it short. Maximum seven words per card. A card represents a story point, be it a scene or a sequence. You don’t need a card for every little thing. Keep cards general enough that they can be rearranged. (“Battle in swamp” rather than “Final showdown”) Horizontal (a table or counter) often works better than a vertical (a corkboard). Post-It notes make good alternative index cards. Consider a letter code for which characters are featured in…

• On Amazon, Apple and dick moves

  John

  2 Feb 2010 | 1:22 pm

  John Scalzi’s helpful write-up of this past weekend’s ridiculous battle between Amazon and Macmillan can be summarized quite succinctly: Don’t pull dick moves. It’s okay to play hard. As an Amazon customer and fan of the Kindle, I want Amazon to keep e-book prices low. As an author and Kindle self-publisher, I want writers to make money. Conflict between these two goals isn’t a bad thing; it’s business. Business is good. I know Amazon is a huge and powerful retailer that can muscle around its suppliers. I also know the folks at Macmillan aren’t all…

• 
  The Artful Writer

• And The New York Times Seems To Agree…

  Craig Mazin

  28 Jan 2010 | 12:02 pm

  A few days after my blog on the ageism settlement, the New York Times has weighed in. …a deeper look at the settlement and its terms indicates that the defendants might not be giving up all that much, and that anyone who is expecting the floodgates to open with opportunities for older writers is likely to be disappointed. Mmm hmmm… “The best way to look at the settlement is through a fairly narrow lens,” said David R. Ginsburg, the executive director of the entertainment and media law and policy program at the School of Law of the University of California, Los Angeles. He…

• And Nothing Changes…

  Craig Mazin

  22 Jan 2010 | 11:36 pm

  Ha ha! Pointless victory is ours! There was once a time in America when great lawyers argued great cases in front of great judges. A number of those cases were about things far more important than contracts and regulations and petty crime. They were about the soul of our nation. Those cases literally changed our culture, our understanding of what it meant to be a human being, to be free to choose, to vote, to live as equals… But I’m not going to talk about any of those cases today. Instead, I’m going to talk about a case that was misguided, silly and frivolous. I’m…

• Throwing Some Light on the Scriptshadow

  Craig Mazin

  9 Dec 2009 | 10:21 pm

  Why so anonymous? First, I apologize for my absence. Work calls, and well…I hate to say it, but…I kind of got bored with blogging for a while there. It’s not that I didn’t have anything to say. I did. I just didn’t feel like talking much. God knows there are plenty of people out there who wish that condition to remain permanent, but perhaps all I was waiting for was something juicy. Et voila, enter “the scriptshadow.” Before you read any further, stop now and read John August’s excellent article here. Go. Do it. I’ll wait. Okay, you read…

• WGA Screenwriters: Take The Survey!

  Craig Mazin

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:53 pm

  If 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

  Craig Mazin

  20 Oct 2009 | 1:35 pm

  After 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…

• 
  Screenplay Europe

• Mark Burton (Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit) to talk in Brussels

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:38 am

  Last minute: The Belgian writers group ASA has invited scriptwriter Mark Burton to talk about his work on "Madagascar" on February 11 in Brussels. A screening of "Madagascar" at 1pm will be followed by a lengthy discussion about the characters and structure. Burton also wrote "Wallace & Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" and dialogues for "Chicken Run".Sounds like a fantastic opportunity to me.Date Feb 11 from 1pm. Maison des Auteurs, Rue du Prince Royal 87, 1050 Brussels€20 for students and members of the ASA and Scenaristengilde, €40 for non-members. Bookings (obligatory):…

• Mia Hansen-Love wins Lumiere script award

  18 Jan 2010 | 2:29 am

  Mia Hansen-Löve, writer-director of "Le père de mes enfants/Father of my Children" won the screenplay award at this year's Lumière awards in Paris, January 15 2010. The film, detailing the fall from grace of a film producer, was the surprise winner against multiple nominee "Un prophète/A Prophet".The awards are given by the foreign press for French or French-speaking films. Other winners include "Welcome", "A Prophet" (director and actor), actress Isabelle Adjani and best Francophone film for "J'ai tué ma mère" by Canada's Xavier Dolan.Read more about "Le père de mes enfants.Get more…

• Avatar: which lesson for the industry?

  8 Jan 2010 | 2:22 am

  Lots of people are coming to conclusions about "Avatar", and what it teaches us. Having seen it "flat", I can already understand that it is a huge hit as it delivers great entertainment. For me, I think the 3D and Imax versions are icing on the cake. In a good analysis, Mike Goodridge of "Screen International" quotes LOTR's Peter Jackson: “It’s not about technology,” he insists. “It’s about entertainment and stories.” Goodridge continues: And he is right. The best stories will continue to attract talent to make them and audiences to see them. It sounds clichéd to say it all…

• British indie awards salute Michael Cain and Danel Day-Lewis

  6 Dec 2009 | 11:04 pm

  In an upbeat event, the British Independent Film Awards announced its 2009 winners on December 6 in London. Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson, BIFA co-directors say: "No single film dominates the Awards this year, reminding us of the high quality and variety of talent on offer in the UK. And if we can be celebrating so much good work in a year that is said to be difficult, there is a lot to shout about.""Moon", the film by Duncan Jones (who also picked up the best debut director award), was awarded the best British independent film. Best screenplay went to "In the Loop", by Jesse…

• British Independent Film Award nominees announced

  26 Oct 2009 | 7:06 am

  British 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…

• 
  Scriptwriting in the UK

• Guest Post: Julie Gray

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:04 am

  The voting for the one page scene competition doesn't close until Friday so you've still got lots of time to choose your favourite. At the moment, it looks fairly evenly split, so it could either way! If you haven't voted yet, click here (or scroll down to the previous post if you feel a bit more energetic).One of the things Julie noticed when assessing the entries was the frequent misuse of screenplay format. Yes, that old chestnut. Screenwriting 101, right? And yet, no matter how much you try to stress how important it is, it seems more and more people can't quite follow the basics. Even…

• Vote!

  6 Feb 2010 | 8:11 am

  The Julie Gray competition went down a storm! We received over 50 scenes, many on the last day. There were a real interesting mix of entries, although a lot were formatted badly (sigh). Anyways, Julie has chosen the finalists (listed below in no particular order). So, clicky clicky to biggy biggy, read the scenes and then vote for your favourite, right at the bottom. Simple as! Voting ends, next Friday, 1pm, UK time.Volcano of Doom by Ady HallThe Denouement by Caitlin Catherwood & George PursallOn Top of the World by Jared KellyClick Here for PollOnline SurveyEnterprise Feedback Management |…

• Julie Gray UK

  29 Jan 2010 | 9:48 am

  If you're familiar with the scribosphere, then you won't be any stranger to Julie Gray's website, recently revamped to Just Effing Entertain Me! If you're not, get on over there and check it out. Julie's one of Hollywood's leading script consultants and she shares her experience and advice through her blog in a very constructive, friendly and useful manner. Julie's coming to the UK in March to teach her Warner Brothers workshop 'From Idea to the Screen to the Page'. Weekend dates in London (6th & 7th) and Oxford (13th & 14th). To celebrate, Julie's giving away one of her in-demand…

• Q&A: Toby Finlay

  25 Jan 2010 | 3:43 am

  Toby Finlay made his screenwriting debut with the recent adaptation of Dorian Gray. Toby's a former script reader for all the major companies in the UK, and one of his spec scripts, Canyonland, made the Brit List in 2008, ensuring his place in the spotlight as one of the hot emerging writers in the UK. I asked him a few Qs to get an inside flava to his background and approach to his career. ** Minor spoilers for the film Dorian Gray ahead **---Going back to your earlier years, how did you get into script reading?Largely by accident. After I graduated, I taught English in Paris for a while and…

• Screenwriting Talks & Events

  13 Jan 2010 | 1:53 am

  Brighton's Lighthouse has, as ever, an interesting line-up of talks and courses over the next couple of months. These include:Breaking into Television, Tuesday 26 January 2010Lighthouse, 28 Kensington St, Brighton BN1 4AJEntry: £3.50/£3 concs.To book tickets, click here. Have you got a cracking drama series concept but aren‘t sure of the first steps to get your idea realised? Come and join writer Philip Palmer in conversation with BBC Commissioning Editor Esther Springer as they discuss:• Getting the material right - what makes a great TV drama?• How to filter your ideas, write to…

• 
  UNKNOWN SCREENWRITER

• What’s An Old Screenwriter To Do?

  Unk

  5 Feb 2010 | 4:39 pm

  Whew… I guess I am one moody son of a bitch. So thanks for all the kind words from everyone wanting or maybe even — dare I say it? NEEDING a blog post from me? Except of course for those that write to me every six months and complain about my use of CAPPED words and [...]

• Here’s to 2010

  Unk

  2 Jan 2010 | 1:13 am

  Unk Post from: Screenwriting blog of The Unknown Screenwriter Here’s to 2010

• You Don’t Make Me Feel

  Unk

  6 Dec 2009 | 12:35 am

  Emotion that is. How come? You’re a fucking writer but you won’t fucking GO there. Why? What are you afraid of? Maybe YOU don’t know how to feel. That would certainly explain why YOU don’t make me feel… Anything. You’re so caught up in creating some GAG that you forgot to make me feel anything about your [...]

• The Seven Rays Script-a-Scene Adaptation Competition

  Unk

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:29 pm

  Okay… 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 [...]

• The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

  Unk

  31 Oct 2009 | 2:49 am

  Troy 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 [...]

• 
  BBC - writersroom

• Newsjack: Comedy Jazz

  Dan Tetsell

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:10 am

  Ok, in memory of Johnny Dankworth, here's how a sketch is like a jazz tune. Say you're listening to Coltrane play 'My Favourite Things'. He'll start out with the basic tune, and then he'll take it and muck about. He'll take that tune all over the shop, he'll noodle, he'll swoop, he'll throw it over to the piano, maybe the drums will get a solo. For most of the track, he'll do all the things that jazz lovers love and jazz haters hate. Then he'll bring it back. The basic tune reasserts itself and... finish. A sketch is like that. I've said elsewhere that a sketch is one idea. It can have as…

• Welsh New Writers deadline

  Paul Ashton

  8 Feb 2010 | 3:59 am

  Given the short turnaround for our call for Welsh writers, we have decided to extend the deadline by one week to allow writers more time to get their script and idea in to us. So the deadline is now: 5pm on Wednesday 17th February Just to clarify too - we are stipulating writers must have at least some form of professional track-record, but that might include a bursary/award to write, or a commission for an as-yet unproduced work, or a professionally staged reading in the theatre, or a funded short film. If you are unsure whether you qualify, get in touch with us.

• Newsjack: Special Guests

  Dan Tetsell

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:28 am

  Hello. Apologies for missing a week - I was off in Bristol doing some acting and then I lost the email with my login details. Also, I'm only half way through series one of Mad Men so something had to give. Anyway, to make up for my absence, I promise my next blog will contain at least 75% more bullish opinion. This one, though, I'm going to turn over to wiser heads. When I started this blog I asked a few writers I knew who'd been through the topical sketch mill for any advice they'd give if they were in my position. Well now, through the magic of cut-and-paste and formatting they are. We…

• The Wire (UK not USA, and radio not TV)

  Paul Ashton

  4 Feb 2010 | 8:07 am

  The new season of The Wire strand of original new dramas on Radio 3 starts this weekend with Alan Harris's play The Goldfarmer. The strand is in it's 10th season, has always been commissioned out of Writersroom by Kate Rowland and has always included commissions for writers brand new to radio and broadcast in general.

• Shifty script

  Paul Ashton

  4 Feb 2010 | 7:08 am

  Eran Creevy's script for his low-budget film Shifty is now available to read. The film was developed through the Film London Microwave scheme in partnership with BBC Films. As part of the BBC's support of the project, I spent some time with Eran and his producers looking at the story before he went away to do the final draft you see here. The resulting film was a fantastic first movie from a talented new writer-director and Eran has just been nominated for a BAFTA.

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  Black Writers Reunion & Conference

• “So You Wanna Write?” Apply Now

  BWRC

  24 Jan 2010 | 10:25 am

  Applications are now being accepted for “So You Wanna Write,” a free one-hour workshop on writing fiction. “Have you ever felt like you have a gift for writing and wanted to write... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Renee Daniel Flagler on BWRC [Video]

  BWRC

  22 Jan 2010 | 8:41 am

  Renee Daniel Flagler, author and founder of the Self-Publishing Symposium, greets viewers from BWRC 2009. Be sure to check out her next Self-Publishing Symposium, to be held in NYC March 7, which... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• “Give Me Five” Writing Competition Announced

  BWRC

  18 Jan 2010 | 9:42 am

  The first BWRC Give Me Five Writing Competition is now accepting entries. Write 5 pages of fiction or screenplay treatment for a chance to win up to $200! Prizes Grand Prize: $200, plus recognition... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Exhibitor & Author Expo Registration Begins

  BWRC

  16 Jan 2010 | 9:47 am

  BWRC is now accepting applications for exhibitor space at BWRC 2010. The Black Writers Reunion & Conference Exhibitor Sponsorship offers exhibitors an opportunity to support BWRC’s educational... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• BWRC Bulletin: 2010 Writing Contest, Exhibitor, Scholarship & Volunteer Opportunities

  BWRC

  15 Jan 2010 | 9:38 am

  Volume 7 · Issue 2 In this issue Conference News & Updates Give Me Five Writing Competition BWRC 2010 Scholarships Exhibit at the 2010 BWRC Volunteer with BWRC Early Registration Open Now... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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  MovieBytes - Screenwriting Contests & Markets Online

• Scriptshadow Announces Contest Winners

  8 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pm

  OH NEVER, SPECTRE LEAF C. Ryan Kirkpatrick and Chad Musick has been named the winner of the Scriptshadow Logline/Screenplay Contest.

• BlueCat Announce Title Contest Winners

  7 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pm

  The 2010 BlueCat Screenplay Competition title contest winners have been announced.

• Movie Deal! Announces Grand Prize Winner

  4 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pm

  Michael Menta's Suburban Kings has been named the Grand Prize Winner of The Movie Deal! Screenwriting Competition.

• HollywoodIQ: Lucky Crow Films Producer Kerry David on Bringing Like Dandelion Dust to the Screen

  3 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pm

  No stranger to MovieBytes, Lucky Crow Films Producer Kerry David served on a panel of Hollywood pros that helped launch this column a few years ago. When one of her recent films reeled in more than 30 awards (and we're still counting!), we couldn't resist inviting her back to talk about it.

• Nevada Film Office Names Contest Winner

  3 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pm

  April Rouveyrol has been named the winner of the 22nd Annual Nevada Film Office Screewriting Competition for her script, American Child.

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  ScriptLinks Updates

• Competitions - International (New Links)

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:45 pm

  Updated page with 2 new links.

• Competitions - Exposure (New Links)

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:45 pm

  Updated page with 4 new links.

• Competitions - Current (February 07)

  8 Feb 2010 | 11:45 pm

  115 competitions listed, includes 3 Canadian and 16 new competitions. Call for: Michigan, media, North Carolina, TV Pilots, Vancouver, New Hampshire, pitches, treatments, grant, fellowship, New Jersey, Horror, feedback.

• Products (New Links)

  25 Jan 2010 | 11:25 pm

  Updated page with 5 new and 8 Canadian links.

• Competitions - Specific (New Links)

  25 Jan 2010 | 11:25 pm

  Updated page with 8 new links.

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  Writing for Performance

• 20/20 conference: Playwriting/Pedagogy

  6 Feb 2010 | 11:06 am

  20 years of the Birmingham Playwriting MA/MPhil(B) 20 new plays by graduate playwrights 20 papers on the pedagogy of playwriting University of Birmingham, Selly Oak Campus Saturday 13 March - Sunday 14 March 2010 2009/10 marks the twentieth anniversary of the foundation of what was then the MA in Playwriting in Birmingham, the first course of its kind in Britain. To mark this anniversary, 20/20 will reflect on the impact of the study of playwriting on dramatic writing within the theatre and beyond. The weekend will include the debut of 20 specially commissioned short plays by graduates of the…

• New US shows on this week

  1 Feb 2010 | 6:00 am

  Mondays, E4, 10:00pmWednesdays, E4, 11:00pmTuesdays, ITV2, 9:00pmFridays, ITV2, 8:00pmTuesdays, Sky1, 9:00pmWednesdays, Sky 2, 9:00pmWednesdays, Fiver, 9:00pmFridays, Fiver, 8:00pmThursdays, Virgin1, 9:00pmFridays, Sky1, 9:00pmSaturdays, Sky2, 9:00pm

• Back Up Your Data Day

  1 Feb 2010 | 4:00 am

  It's the first of the month which means it's Back Up Your Data Day (although it should be done day-to-day!).We can also use this day to delete stuff we no longer need and defragment our hard drive(s) to keep our machine lean and clean, if you know what I mean.Windows guide to defragmentingMac users don't have to defragment, apparently___________________________________________________________How To: Back Up All Your Stuff For Free, No Hard Drive NeededGizmo:"People don't neglect backing up their computers because it's hard—it isn't, at all. No, people file into the inevitable death march of…

• The Day Job

  31 Jan 2010 | 3:46 am

  The Times:"I gave up the day job to become a scriptwriter""I am about to leave the security of having a full-time job and salary to give myself a shot at making a living from writing movies. I would love to sit in a cinema as the credits roll and see my name, and though it’s a distant goal I at least feel that I’m now doing something about achieving it, rather than just talking about it — so this week I am starting an MA in screenwriting and production."LinkThe Guardian"Don't give up the day job - how artists make a living""How does the average ­artist make a living? If you're Damien…

• "What is This 1950? Women Are Missing as TV Creators"

  30 Jan 2010 | 4:14 am

  Women and Hollywood"While there are a fair amount of pilots about women, the story here is the lack of women who are writing and creating the shows. The only way I know about this is from a very disturbing email from a reader who sent me info that came from a high level female TV executive. This is an industry wide problem and 2010 is way worse for women creators than it was in 2009."LinkFrom the comments:"You know what I just noticed. Many of the female written pilots are actually by a team. A man and a woman. I was told by someone if I wanted to work, I needed to get a male partner. They…

• 
  By Ken Levine

• My thoughts on the Super Bowl beating the laast MASH

  9 Feb 2010 | 11:10 am

  A lot of people have asked me what I thought of Sunday’s Super Bowl eclipsing the final MASH as the most watched television show of all-time. A little like the 72 Dolphins actually. Even though I had left MASH by then (the last episode my partner and I wrote was GOODBYE RADAR for season 8) it was nice to know that I was associated with such an esteemed record. Damn! If only the WHO had guested on our final episode! If only we could have slipped in an anti-abortion ad right after the scene where the Korean woman chokes the child! If only we had done the show live! If only Peyton Manning had…

• Jesus! Now I have to compete with Julienne Moore too?

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:30 pm

  Last week I talked about how hard it is to land a pilot if you’re starting from the bottom (and again, best of luck to you hearty souls). Today I want to focus on the other extreme – those actors who view pilots as a come-down. In other words, movie stars, or to be more precise -- former movie stars.Networks are completely enamored by movie stars. On the food chain of entertainment it goes like this: Movies, Television, Street Performing, Radio. Movies look down at television. Television looks up at movies with awe. Forget that more money is made in television; the movie parties are…

• SUPERBOWL XXLVIIXXLVVI

  7 Feb 2010 | 7:42 pm

  Has there been a more satisfying Super Bowl ever! What a great night for the city of New Orleans! 31-17 the final over the Colts. The celebration in the French Quarter should start winding down in June. Wish I were there to vomit in the streets with the rest of you.Some random thoughts on the game and the telecast.I have to say I’m pleased for many reasons. I still hate the Colts for the chicken-shit way they left Baltimore – sneaking out of town under the cover of darkness. You may know them as the Indianapolis Colts. To me they’re the Oz Lions.Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest…

• My Super Bowl tradition: The lost CHEERS

  6 Feb 2010 | 7:33 pm

  Every year on Super Bowl Sunday I present the "Lost scene of CHEERS". ( Tomorrow I'll review this year's Super Bowl.)My partner, David Isaacs and I wrote those scene, it was seen by EIGHTY MILLION people, (almost double the audience of the final episode of CHEERS)… then never shown again.. I may have tracked down a copy of the scene and when I do I'll post it. In the meantime, after being buried for over twenty years, here’s the lost script of that scene. Backstory: People forget but Cheers wasn’t always an enormous hit. The first season’s ratings (1982-83) were terrible…as in…

• Me on KABC

  6 Feb 2010 | 3:28 pm

  I'll be filling in tomorrow morning from 8-11 co-hosting the car talk show on the "flame thrower", the mighty 790 KABC and KABC.COM. I know nothing about cars so unless your question is "should I get a red one?" my co-host, Lance Kaplan, automotive expert, will be answering it. I'm there to give out the phone number.No Sunday Sports Final this week. What sports fan in his right mind is going to listen to us when he can watch or listen to the Super Bowl instead?But I will be filling in for John Phillips from 7-10 PM PST Monday and Friday night, talking entertainment, pop culture, and general…

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  A Bucket of Love

• sometimes i miss this thing

  Brett

  29 Jan 2010 | 10:04 pm

  The blog.The feeling usually comes on at some odd moment spurred by some odd impetus or provocation -- some totally random encounter with the name of a long-misplaced friend, some flicker of memory relating to some curiously powerful moment from a decade or three mostly forgotten, some up close and personal encounter with a mouth-breathing dipshit at some local business or office -- and suddenly I feel an instinctive need to blather on about it.I have no idea if most people understand this urge, or if this is a strange affliction seen in only that verbose and pale minority known as "writers,"…

• Ursula K. Leguin resigns Authors Guild

  Brett

  10 Jan 2010 | 9:08 am

  And the legendary fantasy writer's reasons for doing so should be of extreme interest and urgency to pretty much anyone out there who now or ever has cuddled close to the fast-fading fantasy of making money from the printed word.This new "Inter-net" thing you may have heard the kids rapping about is a wonder: all the information and text of the world, available 24/7 for free on pretty much any computer anywhere.Huge companies like Google racing to continue to convert every piece of visual information -- words, drawings, photos -- to digital form which might then be rammed down the wire or…

• the Cult Of Done manifesto

  Brett

  30 Dec 2009 | 11:52 am

  Oh yeah -- I could use a few bucketfuls more of this.(from www.brepettis.com)...B

• "Why?"

  Brett

  12 Dec 2009 | 10:38 am

  Occasionally the cacophonous riot of voices in my head will for whatever reason all take a breath at the same moment and leave one of those odd semi-awkward quiet moments hanging in my interior monolog, giving one or two of the normally obscured whimpering voices a rare opportunity to be heard (if not heeded).It happened again this morning (8:47am CST for those scoring along in the home edition) when a lull hit town and I heard this Cindy Lou Who voice in my head ask "Why, Brett, why? Why do you want to make movies?"And then iTunes randomly provided me the answer, as a certain music cue…

• pimpin ain't easy

  Brett

  7 Dec 2009 | 4:25 am

  Lisa Gold, a friend of mine I met back in the '07 Nicholl fiasco, is helping put on a cool discussion panel/party as a fundraiser for her short film project, "The Death Of Toys."If you're in LA, looking for something cool to do on Thursday and interested in hearing and talking to some pretty damned smart and interesting screenwriters (it's called "networking," you weasels-- crawl out of your damned burrows and meet some actual people in the flesh...)Tales From The Trenches: A Film Panel to support "The Death Of Toys" (Lisa Gold's short film project)Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009Time:…

• 
  My Next One Will Be Better

• The Love of Money

  Andy Coughlan

  7 Feb 2010 | 3:04 pm

  Things never quite go the way you expect, do they? Last month, more on a whim than anything else, I applied for a management position within the company I work for, and ended up getting it. And rightly chuffed I was too. So for the past two weeks I’ve ended up more or less doing two jobs as I tidy up affairs from my old IT Applications position and start my shiny new Marketing Communications role. Rao and quite a few other people offline have, in the meantime, been asking about Return to Earth. Well, through all of this, I’ve had my thinking cap on, and thanks for some very good…

• Alligator

  Andy Coughlan

  27 Jan 2010 | 3:32 pm

  A couple of years ago I helped shoot and edit this little ditty by Ken Colley. Alligator from Andy Coughlan on Vimeo.

• Reboot!

  Andy Coughlan

  12 Jan 2010 | 12:08 pm

  In the spirit of all things Spiderman, I thought it was time to make a fresh start with the old blog here and try to do something useful with it. My new decade resolution is to post more. Promise. No, really! Anyway, best get back to the writing now. Got a nice little screenplay coming together. If anyone is actually still listening, say ‘Hi’ below…

• Calling everyone with a Web Site!

  Andy Coughlan

  2 Sep 2009 | 3:58 pm

  I 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!

  Andy Coughlan

  25 Aug 2009 | 3:45 pm

  It’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 #171

  Scott the Reader

  5 Feb 2010 | 1:59 pm

  So I'm trying to catch up on last year's big movies. I saw both Precious and The Hurt Locker this week; both are well-deserving of their nominations. Precious manages to be harrowing yet hopeful at the same time, while The Hurt Locker does an outstanding job keeping you on the edge of your seat with the characters. See them.Meanwhile, other stuff keeps coming out. Going wide this weekend:DEAR JOHN (2969 theaters). The idea seems to be that movies like this will do well on Super Bowl weekend, because it gives the football widows something to do. This one looks kind of dumb and young, though,…

• Oscar Nominations

  Scott the Reader

  2 Feb 2010 | 8:36 am

  If you haven't seen the list, it's here.Generally it's all pretty expected. A few random thoughts:BEST PICTURE: Expanding it to ten nominations was meant to get more films nominated, to draw more of a TV audience (with the hopeful side effect of bringing attention -- and box office -- to some underseen films). If there were five nominees, it probably would have matched up with the directing nominees: Avatar, Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, Up In The Air. Which means the extra nominations went to some popular films (Up, Blind Side, District 9) and a couple of artsy ones in An…

• Weekend Box Office #170

  Scott the Reader

  29 Jan 2010 | 12:42 pm

  I'm swamped with work, though I'm not complaining. It's better than the alternative.This weekend, opening in wide release:EDGE OF DARKNESS (3066 theaters). It's hard to believe that it has been 8 years (since "Signs") that Mel Gibson starred in a movie. This one is getting decent reviews, and looks like the kind of thing that people will turn out for. Prediction: $23.4 million for the weekend.WHEN IN ROME (2456 theaters). This looks like a rather generic romcom. $7.8 million for the weekend.********Last weekend, LEGION did a solid $17.5 million. THE TOOTH FAIRY did $14.0. EXTRAORDINARY…

• Weekend Box Office #169

  Scott the Reader

  22 Jan 2010 | 6:03 pm

  Been writing a lot the past week, trying to get my pilot into shape (and reading and watching a lot of pilots as well) and also brainstorming a low-budget horror thing with a friend for him to direct.New in movieland this weekend:THE TOOTH FAIRY (3344 theaters). Once upon a time I wrote a tooth fairy script, and this will probably kill it for all time. Not given to critics to review, which is a bad sign. The family audience is out there, but it makes me yearn for the Rock to blow stuff up. Call it $18.5 million for the weekend.EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES (2549 theaters). They are doing what they…

• Weekend Box Office #168

  Scott the Reader

  15 Jan 2010 | 11:19 am

  Another January weekend, this one a long one, with plenty of Oscar holdovers and some new films trying to carve out an audience. Figure AVATAR may still swipe the top spot.THE BOOK OF ELI (3111 theaters) -- though this movie might take a shot at it. The print ads are nicely teasing, though the problem with this movie might be that it just doesn't look that original, sort of like MAD MAX meets THE ROAD with a dash of THE POSTMAN. Still, it's Denzel, and the reviews are decent. Figure $27.4 million for the four-day weekend.THE SPY NEXT DOOR (2924 theaters). This looks a little stupid to bring…

• 
  Scriptwriting in the UK

• Guest Post: Julie Gray

  Danny Stack

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:04 am

  The voting for the one page scene competition doesn't close until Friday so you've still got lots of time to choose your favourite. At the moment, it looks fairly evenly split, so it could either way! If you haven't voted yet, click here (or scroll down to the previous post if you feel a bit more energetic).One of the things Julie noticed when assessing the entries was the frequent misuse of screenplay format. Yes, that old chestnut. Screenwriting 101, right? And yet, no matter how much you try to stress how important it is, it seems more and more people can't quite follow the basics. Even…

• Vote!

  Danny Stack

  6 Feb 2010 | 8:11 am

  The Julie Gray competition went down a storm! We received over 50 scenes, many on the last day. There were a real interesting mix of entries, although a lot were formatted badly (sigh). Anyways, Julie has chosen the finalists (listed below in no particular order). So, clicky clicky to biggy biggy, read the scenes and then vote for your favourite, right at the bottom. Simple as! Voting ends, next Friday, 1pm, UK time.Volcano of Doom by Ady HallThe Denouement by Caitlin Catherwood & George PursallOn Top of the World by Jared KellyClick Here for PollOnline SurveyEnterprise Feedback Management |…

• Julie Gray UK

  Danny Stack

  29 Jan 2010 | 9:48 am

  If you're familiar with the scribosphere, then you won't be any stranger to Julie Gray's website, recently revamped to Just Effing Entertain Me! If you're not, get on over there and check it out. Julie's one of Hollywood's leading script consultants and she shares her experience and advice through her blog in a very constructive, friendly and useful manner. Julie's coming to the UK in March to teach her Warner Brothers workshop 'From Idea to the Screen to the Page'. Weekend dates in London (6th & 7th) and Oxford (13th & 14th). To celebrate, Julie's giving away one of her in-demand…

• Q&A: Toby Finlay

  Danny Stack

  25 Jan 2010 | 3:43 am

  Toby Finlay made his screenwriting debut with the recent adaptation of Dorian Gray. Toby's a former script reader for all the major companies in the UK, and one of his spec scripts, Canyonland, made the Brit List in 2008, ensuring his place in the spotlight as one of the hot emerging writers in the UK. I asked him a few Qs to get an inside flava to his background and approach to his career. ** Minor spoilers for the film Dorian Gray ahead **---Going back to your earlier years, how did you get into script reading?Largely by accident. After I graduated, I taught English in Paris for a while and…

• Screenwriting Talks & Events

  Danny Stack

  13 Jan 2010 | 1:53 am

  Brighton's Lighthouse has, as ever, an interesting line-up of talks and courses over the next couple of months. These include:Breaking into Television, Tuesday 26 January 2010Lighthouse, 28 Kensington St, Brighton BN1 4AJEntry: £3.50/£3 concs.To book tickets, click here. Have you got a cracking drama series concept but aren‘t sure of the first steps to get your idea realised? Come and join writer Philip Palmer in conversation with BBC Commissioning Editor Esther Springer as they discuss:• Getting the material right - what makes a great TV drama?• How to filter your ideas, write to…

• 
  d e a d t h i n g s o n s t i c k s .

• Uh, What?

  DMc

  8 Feb 2010 | 10:07 pm

  Y'KNOW, this isn't exactly the feel good follow up to that last post I wanted, but, um...Could someone please explain this Google most-linked or queried predictive text to me?  First result.  Seriously, I'd love to hear any theories that won't send me diving for a heating pad and a bottle of bourbon.--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com--

• Bon Temps Rouler

  DMc

  8 Feb 2010 | 2:10 pm

  WELL I WAS pounding out a 12 page summary from 7:30 A.M. til 3pm yesterday, when men started arriving in droves for the Superbowl Poker Game. (Up, thanks.) And there was much rejoicing over N'Awlins & much consternation over the fact that the new digital aerial streaming over the air HD to my computer kicks Rogers' HDTV signal in its coax ass. And then this morning I was up and off to a day of WGC Council Meetings. So I haven't had much time to consider the Superbowl ads.But between this and Jersey Shore, I think ... I feel ... boom. Here's a gauntlet for engaging storytelling... Oh my…

• Let A Thousand Corners Bloom

  DMc

  5 Feb 2010 | 4:04 pm

  FROM THE "Way It's Supposed To Work" file...Time was that the talented would find the scary truth of Canadian TV -- getting your first break wasn't the problem ... sustaining a career was. Too often "breaking in" meant finding that there was no second or third job down the road for a TV writer or actor. No matter how good your notices or scripts or work was, the smallness of the hatbox industry & the tendency to "spread it around" meant that the mid-career stall often drove you down and south. (To L.A.)But then Corner Gas changed everything.  By training a stable of writers, CG has…

• Oh, The Ennui

  DMc

  3 Feb 2010 | 9:10 am

  FOR SHEER LAUGHS in the morning, the combination of designed-to-within-an-inch-of-their-lives living spaces & existential regrets -- well, Unhappy Hipsters, I salute you. I really do.--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com--

• Reverse Simulcast, Meet CTV's Olympics Eyeballs

  DMc

  3 Feb 2010 | 8:04 am

  "REVERSE SIMULCASTING" was the catchy phrase coined when the first of the "made in Canada, broadcast in the USA" shows, FLASHPOINT, hit the scene after the end of the last WGA strike. Over the years, the Canadian practice of tying their schedules up in pretzels to try and air the U.S. shows at the same time as the U.S. network (so they could block out their cable signal,) had become fraught.  The age of downloading meant that the other practice that went hand in hand with simulcasting, pre-releasing, (where the Canadian net that couldn't simulcast because of a conflict would sometimes…

• 
  Living the Romantic Comedy

• Revenge of the Romantic

  Billy Mernit

  8 Feb 2010 | 12:36 am

  I had a theory.  Things tend to be cyclical in our culture of arts and entertainment, and having just seen the romantic comedy genre dominated for a decade by male point-of-view raunch-coms (the Apatow era, from 40 Year-Old Virgin to last year's bromantic I Love You, Man), I figured it's about time for the meter to swing the other way.Now that all things scatological and even gynecological (see Knocked Up) have been mined for comedy, I reasoned we're due for the return of romance - meaning softer, less sexually-centric stories that mine what's left of the genuinely…

• The Hidden Heroine

  Billy Mernit

  31 Jan 2010 | 6:39 pm

  It's that time of the year again.  Romantic comedy lovers, lovers comedic or serious -- all humans with beating hearts know that as soon as February rolls around, there's a major holiday to be reckoned with, one that's come to symbolize the meaning of love and romance for America, if not the world. I'm speaking, of course, about Groundhog Day. Granted, there was a time, long ago (i.e. before 1993), when this holiday lacked the romantic associations since bestowed on it, due to the efforts of Danny Rubin, Harold Ramis and Bill Murray.  But ever since the…

• Auteur, Auteur!

  Billy Mernit

  24 Jan 2010 | 5:44 pm

  The way he chooses his language and his descriptive phrases is amazingly perceptive and helpful.  And if you don't listen very carefully, you might miss it.  Bob directs using active verbs.  You can play an active verb.  You can't play an inactive one.  I don't remember what the specifics of the scene were, but Altman beckoned me over.  He thought for a minute - I was playing a scene with another actor - and he said, "Crowd him."  It was so clear and so defined and so unmistakable what he wanted from that scene and from that…

• Love Speaks

  Billy Mernit

  17 Jan 2010 | 10:29 pm

  In many films, people never discuss ideas, be they moral or political. And when those kinds of discussions are introduced, it often sounds false. What I've tried to do—and this is what I'm happiest with in my films—[is to] show people discussing morality, whatever that might mean, in a completely natural way.  -- Eric RohmerJust this morning, a friend of mine was decrying what's become the obligatory Female Friends Talking Trash Round the Table scene in today's comedies and romantic comedies.  "We don't talk like that!" she protested. …

• The Rom-Com Terrorist

  Billy Mernit

  10 Jan 2010 | 6:23 pm

  It sounds like a parody right out of The Onion, but no less an authority than the New York Times has reported this:When a man ducked past security at Newark Liberty International Airport last Sunday to kiss his girlfriend goodbye, the breach in security shut down one of the country’s busiest airports, delayed flights through Monday and prompted an intensive manhunt from New Jersey detectives that ended on Friday evening on a street in Piscataway, N.J. Hapless Haisong Jiang, a 28-year-old Rutgers University graduate student, was arrested.  So did he - or the authorities who went after…

• 
  INDELIBLE FRECKLES

• Monkey See

  d f mamea

  2 Feb 2010 | 9:00 am

  Let’s say you’re writing a thriller where your heroes are forced to take one of their own to a hospital, and for whatever reason the authorities MUST NOT KNOW whatever the hell they’ve been up to. How d’you wanna play the hospital trip – straight or strange? Straight: INT. HOSPITAL – DAY A REGISTRAR and a COUPLE OF NURSES push a gurney into the EMERGENCY ROOM, away from -- -- PATER FAMILIAS – yes, the rather bullish father of the victim in the E.R. – and his colleague, a scantily clad SEXPOT. SEXPOT (off Pater) He’s in good…

• Back Up

  d f mamea

  26 Jan 2010 | 11:37 pm

  Let’s say your task is to write a one-page description of your project and, coming out of your ‘creative fugue’, you find yourself with three pages almost black with text. You ask yourself: What is my story about? What is my story in one paragraph of three to six sentences? What is my story in one sentence? It’s about finding the absolute core of your story: A fearful lass takes aikido lessons and learns about life – and sometimes finding a theme en route: Aikido teaches you to wait until you can see the whites of your enemies’ eyes. But back to me and my…

• I Don’t Know

  d f mamea

  21 Jan 2010 | 11:05 pm

  The other day, I tried to google lyrics that had hardest words to say or similar but got distracted. (I spotted Chicago among the results and, having a sudden and intense urge to play their best-of CD – thanks, Stevo! – did so, sang along with Peter Cetera to 25 or 6 to 4, came back humming Happy Man, and on returning to my desk, couldn’t remember for the life of me why I’d googled hardest words to say.) So I’ll just come out with it: there are three words that worry my manager – I don’t know. Y’know, I don’t know as in – WRITER…

• Gasp –

  d f mamea

  11 Jan 2010 | 1:40 am

  – my iTunes randomed to Beyonce’s Single Ladies and I went like – – how could I forget Messrs Murphy, Falchuk and Brennan’s brilliant and irrepressible Glee? That show is responsible for my Goddess’s growing unease at seeing/hearing how many showtunes I can belt out.

• About Last Year

  d f mamea

  9 Jan 2010 | 10:45 pm

  (Yeah, okay: eight days since my last post is more than a few days – more than several days – more, even, thana week. Sorry.) It’s been so long since we’ve rolled into 2010 I won’t bore you with -0 This is my blog – and in the world of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Hooah. 2009 was really a year for the goggle box – Television Better Off Ted – Season 1 Generation Kill Go Girls – Season 1 Mad Men – Season 3 Nurse Jackie – Season 1 State of Play – but cinema had some new – and old – pleasures – Film…

• 
  The Screenwrightist

• Novels Invented Film Editing

  Kim H Peres

  31 Jan 2010 | 6:18 pm

  Writing can be confusing at times because the way things were done at one time are not always the best way to do them, it is just all they had back then. At one time novels were the highest form of storytelling technology. Anything you can think of can be done in a novel, but often not well. Films were originally single long takes and at that time the idea of film editing was already used in books. Filmmakers stole these ideas from novel writers and they turned out to work better in films than words. photo: moirabot Change POV Films at first were from the very obvious perspective of a camera…

• Eternal Sources of Character Story Conflict

  Kim H Peres

  27 Oct 2009 | 5:09 am

  Playwriting 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

  Kim H Peres

  31 Jul 2009 | 1:22 pm

  Writers 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

  Kim H Peres

  30 Apr 2009 | 3:27 pm

  Many 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

  Kim H Peres

  25 Mar 2009 | 1:43 pm

  photo: 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…

• 
  Running With My Eyes Closed

• Thursday, On Very Special Episode of Crushing It!

  admin

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:10 am

  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday recaps. Young Neal declared himself, but Gam3rgurl wasn’t sure. June and Julian reconnected. Bootywatchman was close to scoring when Brad made a discovery. Lily went into labour. HollingPete hauled ass toward Toronto. And made it just in time. Tune in today at 1:30 and 6:00 for the final episodes of Crushing It!

• Wednesday on Crushing It!

  admin

  3 Feb 2010 | 8:51 pm

  Monday and Tuesday on Crushing it. Dave’s mom embarrassed him. Then she embarrassed him some more. Then it really got bad. Barb and Laurence had another wedding disaster. Bootywatchman finally got his groove on, but Neal didn’t like it too much. Peter had a plan that Lily didn’t like too much. But why was Barb so high on the idea? Carm started drinking and tweeting. MJ Reid thought it was time for an intervention. What’s all this about? Tune in Thursday for a very special all day episode of Crushing It!

• Previously On Crushing It!

  admin

  3 Feb 2010 | 7:37 am

  Tuesday February 2, 2010 on Twitter’s top comedy soap opera, David and Barbara met up for coffee accidentally on purpose. When Lily went into labour, David ended up as chauffeur. Turned out Lily wasn’t in labour, but but Dave turned things around with brownies. Barb offered to buy Dave a drink to thank him and then she told a lie. While the bride to be was sharing a glass of vino with Dave, groom Laurence and best man Brad were trying to pick up chicks. Peter planned for the future of Lily’s baby. And Gam3rgurl and Neal made a new bet. June found an old flame, which just…

• Crushing It: An Update in Tweets

  admin

  1 Feb 2010 | 2:43 pm

  Two episodes down and here’s what’s happened so far. Lily got some good news. Peter did some math. Barbara considered calling off the wedding. Laurence tried to be the voice of reason. Laurence’s friend Brad might not be the best best man. David is having a bad day. And it looks like it may get worse. And worse. Lucky he has such a helpful friend in Neal. Gam3rgurl crushed on Gary Vee. That’s what’s happened on Crushing It! so far. Oh yeah and this:

• Crushing It: PreAmble

  admin

  31 Jan 2010 | 6:04 pm

  Our tale is about to begin, but there’s still time for me to introduce you to our players. Meet Barbara (@barbology) and Laurence (@about2bhitched), a lovely couple. If you make friends with them, perhaps they’ll invite you to there nuptials. Yes, they’re engaged and the wedding is this Friday at 6 p.m. Standing up with Barbara is her bff, Lily (@lottalily). Lily is very pregnant which is a wonderful quality in a bridesmaid because by comparison the bride seems slender, even if she has been binging on chocolate and bacon in the lead up to the big day. Also attending the wedding is…

• 
  The Screenwrightist

• Novels Invented Film Editing

  Kim H Peres

  31 Jan 2010 | 6:18 pm

  Writing can be confusing at times because the way things were done at one time are not always the best way to do them, it is just all they had back then. At one time novels were the highest form of storytelling technology. Anything you can think of can be done in a novel, but often not well. Films were originally single long takes and at that time the idea of film editing was already used in books. Filmmakers stole these ideas from novel writers and they turned out to work better in films than words. photo: moirabot Change POV Films at first were from the very obvious perspective of a camera…

• Eternal Sources of Character Story Conflict

  Kim H Peres

  27 Oct 2009 | 5:09 am

  Playwriting 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

  Kim H Peres

  31 Jul 2009 | 1:22 pm

  Writers 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

  Kim H Peres

  30 Apr 2009 | 3:27 pm

  Many 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

  Kim H Peres

  25 Mar 2009 | 1:43 pm

  photo: 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…