I’m enjoying “Flash Forward” so far. Of course, I wonder how long they can sustain the premise, especially since I understand they’re planning to reach the date of the flash forward on the real-world date of April 29, 2010. I can only hope they won’t simply have another black-out to renew the mystery after that. Spoilers ahead. If you haven’t seen the first three episodes, you may not want to read this post. I like the way the show is putting a new twist on a classic sci-fi premise from movies like “Terminator” and “Minority…
Screenwriting
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What It's Like
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Seeing the future
10 Oct 2009 | 8:05 pm -
To read or not to read
16 Sep 2009 | 9:21 pmLately, Facebook has been aflutter with links to Josh Olson’s essay “I Will Not Read Your Fucking Script,” and to John Scalzi’s similar piece “On Asking Favors From Established Writers.” If you haven’t read these, take a moment to do so, if only to know what writer-types are talking about these days. Done? Completely discouraged now? Asking people to read your script is already one of the most awkward and intimidating things a writer has to do. Especially when, as these two gentlemen have confirmed, you suspect the person you’re asking… -
Between gigs
31 Aug 2009 | 12:20 pmAt the moment, I happen to be between jobs, which is a nice way of saying “unemployed.” This is, unfortunately, a very common state for writers, even those with fairly successful careers. One of the biggest challenges of being a professional writer is learning how to deal with frequent bouts of unemployment without going crazy. I’m extremely lucky in that I can afford to go without income for a while, thanks to the money I made while working and the residuals my union has fought to preserve. I realize this is a privileged position. So what is this particular writer… -
Thoughts on “Mad Men”
21 Aug 2009 | 5:36 pmFirst, I’d like to reply to a comment from Taylor on my last post. Either he misunderstood my intent, or I was unclear. I absolutely do not think it’s the writer’s job not to offend anybody. By all means, offend and provoke - just do it on purpose. My quibble is with writers who carelessly toss around sexist or homophobic jokes for a cheap laugh and don’t consider their effect. If you write a character who tells gay jokes, do you actually intend him to be homophobic? If not, maybe you’re doing a disservice to that character. And maybe you could find… -
Creative morality
12 Aug 2009 | 5:06 pmTV is a highly moralistic universe. Good almost always triumphs over evil. There are, of course, gray areas. Antiheroes like Tony Soprano, Vic Mackey, Dexter Morgan and Patty Hewes are far from squeaky clean. But if you look closely, they do have their own moral codes which may be outside the law, but aren’t full-on “evil.” Dexter may be a serial killer, but he only kills really bad people. Patty is a scheming liar, but does it for the sake of her wronged clients. And these characters inevitably pay some emotional price for the shady things they do. …
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Jane in Progress
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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
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Complications Ensue: The Crafty TV and Screenwriting Blog
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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… -
The Horribly Slow Murderer with the Extremely Inefficient Weapon
29 Oct 2009 | 8:57 am -
CMF Consultation
29 Oct 2009 | 6:44 amI'm pretty much a jeans guy, but yesterday I got duded up in a blazer and overcoat to go to the Canada Media Fund consultation session, along with about forty other writers, producers and documentary hyphenates. Valerie Creighton has been winging her way across Canada to ask industry stakeholders what the CMF should do and be.The CMF is an arranged marriage between the Canadian Television Fund and the equivalent new media fund. The idea is to fund Canadian audio-visual content. But how? Everyone wants more pie.WGC members Anne-Marie Perrotta, Gerry Lewis, Doug Taylor, Dan Williams and Lienne…
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johnaugust.com
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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) -
Sundance Roadshow
5 Nov 2009 | 9:18 amThe Sundance Institute announced yesterday that for this coming year’s festival, they’ll be taking eight features and their filmmakers out to theaters across the country on January 28th — before the awards are even given out. Eight cities will be included in Sundance Film Festival USA: Ann Arbor, MI — Michigan Theater Brookline, MA — Coolidge Corner Theatre Brooklyn, NY — BAM Chicago, IL — Music Box Theatre Los Angeles, CA — Downtown Independent Madison, WI — Sundance Cinemas Madison Nashville, TN — The Belcourt Theatre San… -
How to handle a meeting
5 Nov 2009 | 8:38 amI’m a twenty-five year old aspiring TV writer living in LA. After a friend of mine sent my spec pilot to a few people, one (who works at a cable channel) said she’d like to set a general meeting with me to discuss my writing and the upcoming pilot season. This will be the first time someone is acknowledging me as a writer rather than as an assistant (my boss is kind enough to let me take off work for the meeting). Do you have any advice for how one should conduct oneself in such a meeting? They’ve already passed on picking up the pilot, and staffing season hasn’t… -
Prince of Persia, full trailer
3 Nov 2009 | 9:17 amYou can see the trailer we used for the original pitch here.
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Fun Joel's Screenwriting Blog
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Good New Research Tool
16 Oct 2009 | 12:21 amIf I updated my sidebar links at all (been years, I'd guess) I would definitely be included this new one in my "Research Tools" category (and/or in "Stir the Creative Pot").There is a new (to my knowledge) search aggregator specifically designed for creative people: creativesear.ch. Brought to you by D&AD, an educational charity connected with the design and advertising communities, creativesear.ch delivers search results from Google, Google Images, YouTube, Wikipedia, Flickr, Twitter and many others. And all in a visually appealing layout/design.While designed (I think) for visual… -
FFFJ: Where the Wild Things Are
14 Oct 2009 | 12:08 pmLet me preface this screenplay review by stating that I really hope I was wrong. It has happened with one or two scripts before, where when they came out I realized I just didn't get what the screenwriter was going for. And if that happened here, I would attribute it to the fact that Spike Jonze was both (co-)writer and director of this project, and thus may not have fully communicated his vision on paper. This often happens with writer-directors or with writers who are working closely with a director while scripting the film.Still, I love the Wild Things book, and have been a fan of Spike… -
FFFJ: Dorian Gray
14 Sep 2009 | 1:33 pmThe impetus for me posting to the blog today was this review I read in The Hollywood Reporter, about the new film Dorian Gray that screened at Toronto International Film Festival. I remembered that I had read the screenplay for it a little over a year ago (in June of 2008). So I thought it would be a great opportunity to post another in my continuing series FFFJ: From the Files of Fun Joel.Many of you know the story that the film is based on, but in case you don't, here's my Logline for the screenplay:"Young heir, turned on to hedonism, maintains his youthful appearance while a portrait ages… -
Less Than a Year
14 Sep 2009 | 1:11 pmSo people ask me periodically if my blog is dead. I tell them it is more like "retired." Not in the sense of a sports player whose number is "retired." When that happens, no one gets to wear that number again, so it is taken out of circulation.I mean it more in the sense of a guy who retires from his job, but might still occasionally pop back into the office to say Hi, answer some questions, and maybe even do a drop of work.So that's my intention for now. I don't suspect I will be a "full-time" blogger again. But I don't want to shut it down entirely. I'd rather just post occasionally,… -
Expo Reminder & Drinks Gathering Announcement
12 Nov 2008 | 12:53 pmSo, first of all, I wanted to remind you all one last time about the two seminars I am teaching at this year's Screenwriting Expo. After being named a Star Speaker the last three years at the Expo, I've been invited back to present my most popular seminar from last year, "Effective Use of Flashbacks and Voiceovers."Even more exciting for me is the new seminar I will be teaching this year: "Writing in a Web 2.0 World." In preparing this seminar, I've had the chance to speak to many professionals who are very involved in the world of web video, and the like, and have also read and watched a ton…
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The Artful Writer
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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…
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Screenplay Europe
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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.
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Scriptwriting in the UK
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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. -
New UK Sci-Fi
22 Oct 2009 | 3:12 pmWatch out. There's a new science fiction writer in town. It's only the inimitable gent Philip Palmer. He's published two new sci-fi books this year: Debatable Space and Red Claw (just released). He's got a blog. He's got a sense of humour. He's Welsh (not Scottish, thanks pdolly!). He even wrote a sci-fi episode of Heartbeat last year. He writes for radio, TV and film. Saunter over to his place and say hello. He may even buy you a drink.**you never know -
Story Vault: Know Your Cuts
19 Oct 2009 | 6:22 amYesterday, on Sky Arts Book Show (or possibly last week's show and I was watching a repeat), host Mariella Frostrup interviewed screenwriter Christopher Hampton. He recalled one of his earlier lessons in screenwriting from David Lean, where Lean would insist on knowing how the last image of one scene would flow/compliment/match (or mismatch) to the next scene. It taught Hampton a lot about transitions, and how to make them work in a script. Here's my take on the subject: Know Your Cuts. Originally posted 11th April 2006.---Back in the day, I was an assistant in Channel 4’s comedy department… -
Origin, update
14 Oct 2009 | 3:52 amI started developing Origin, my short film, in January of this year. By the end of April, I had a cast and crew, and we shot the film over four days. Editing finished in July (although not much happened in May as we tried to get completion funding). Music was composed, then re-composed. Sound design was signed off, and the film benefited from the full digital intermediate experience at Ascent142. All of this was achieved on a modest budget, a huge amount of goodwill and favours, not to mention vital financial contributions made via the blog and Twitter (thank you!).At the moment, I'm waiting…
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Screenwriting Basics
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Advanced Screenwriting Techniques: Deepening the Theme
6 Nov 2009 | 11:39 pmPages: Prev 1 2 Next www.firstlightvideo.com You’ve learned the basics — the three-act structure, an understanding of theme, an ability to start creating dimensional characters. Now you want to go deeper, broader & expand your tools for creating great scripts. In this three-part series, script consultant & screenwriting teacher, Dr. Linda Seger, takes you to another step, to further integrate your story, theme & characters. The Theme or Central Idea of a script deepens the story and connects the audience with … Rating: 5 | Views: 1652 Related… -
Screenwriting News – 71th Edition
6 Nov 2009 | 11:22 pmScreenwriting On The Blog: Character Sometimes a blog is just useful to put down on paper, as it were, random thoughts going round in ones own head. And unfortunately for those kind enough to read it, it come sometimes be misinterpreted for some profound, … Non-Members : Hollywood Screenwriting Secrets Non-Members. Thank you for your interest in this content. This content is for members only. Please login to view. (Not a member? Join today!) You are NOT currently logged in. You are not currently logged in. Username: Password: … Once Upon a Time in Hollywood…(Part 10) «… -
Filmmaking News – 68th Edition
6 Nov 2009 | 11:22 pmSheena Medina's Web Log: Support Independent Filmmaking! A few weeks ago I attended a day of screenings at the Imagine Science Film Festival in New York. I had never heard of this particular festival before, but can honestly say I appreciate its cause and purpose. … Event Filmmaking + Event Photography = Convergence : WedFACT.tv … Event Filmmaking + Event Photography = Convergence. November 4, 2009 | Filed Under David Robin Films. This blog post is intended not only for event filmmakers and photographers, but all industry vendors and clients, who are interested …… -
Radio Mics & Alternatives for Low Budget Filmmaking?
6 Nov 2009 | 10:54 pmPages: Prev 1 2 Next www.youtube.com My thoughts about radio mics in the world of low-budget filmmaking.Honours for this video (7) #12 – Most Discussed (Today) – Howto & Style #44 – Most Discussed (This Week) – Howto & Style #88 – Most Viewed (Today) – Howto & Style #92 – Most Viewed (Today) – Howto & Style – Ireland #28 – Top Favourited (Today) – Howto & Style #27 – Top Rated (Today) – Howto & Style #71 – Top Rated (This Week) – Howto & Style . Rating: 4 | Views:… -
Screenwriting News from Digg.com – 38th Edition
6 Nov 2009 | 10:50 pmPages: Prev 1 2 Next free rapidshare movies A screenwriter writes a script, Which is the story of the film with the lexis with the aim of the actors will say. Then a producer hires citizens to toil on the film and gets all of the money with the aim of will be desired to wage in place of the actors and the equipment. Celtx The Ultimate Screenwriting Suite [Cross-Platform] A lot of old-school writers and producers still use the familiar pen and paper. Others have migrated to the digital world and are using Open Office or MS. Here is a free full featured tool. Related posts:Filmmaking News…
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Twitter / screenwriting
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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 -
screenwriting: @wefollow #screenwriting #screenwriter #movies
19 Mar 2009 | 5:08 pmscreenwriting: @wefollow #screenwriting #screenwriter #movies
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UNKNOWN SCREENWRITER
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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. -
Charlie Kaufman On Film
26 Sep 2009 | 11:46 amGreat interview with Charlie Kaufman about the current state of filmmaking… He talks about distribution which, just happens to be a pain in the ass to obtain these days. See what he says about it. Spotless Mind director worries for future of film Charlie Kaufman is adapting Distributor Report Cards: Mini-majors, specialty divisions, and indies NetFlix Everywhere: Sorry Cable, You’re History EDGE: Farewell to the ‘quality’ film? Where have all the screenwriters gone? ‘Pushing 30? producer Scott Held on independent film, turning 30 and film festivals Unk Post from:…
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BBC - writersroom
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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. -
Scotland Writes
26 Oct 2009 | 7:17 amDue to the recent postal disturbances we have a slight amendment to our dates for the Scotland Writes competition. The deadline for submissions remains the same. But in order that we receive scripts potentially caught up in sorting offices, we will start sifting them later than originally planned. And so instead of announcing the winners on December 7th, we will now announce them on December 14th. Of course you can also send them in a bit early to make sure they're here in good time, just to be sure... -
Opportunities update
19 Oct 2009 | 9:57 amThe winners of this year's Windsor Fringe Marriott Award for New Drama writing have been announced, and four of the nine shortlisted authors - Jeremy Fielding, Jenny Klein, Andy McCoy and overall winner Kathleen Kiley - found out about the competition via our BBC writersroom opportunity page. -
Q&As at Soho Theatre
15 Oct 2009 | 10:39 amWe've just announced two new Q&As. Writer/Star Miranda Hart will talk about her new TV series Miranda on the 10 November 2009, while Writer/Director Stephen Poliakoff and Executive Producer Jane Wright will be discussing Stephen's new film Glorious 39 on the 16 November 2009. Both events will be held at the Soho Theatre in London, and tickets are free. Find out more about the Miranda Hart Q&A and book your tickets. Find out more about the Stephen Poliakoff and Jane Wright Q&A and book your tickets. -
Free theatre tickets for the under-26
15 Oct 2009 | 10:27 amI just found out about this... Apparently the Arts Council will buy you free theatre tickets if you're aged 25 or younger! Just go to the Arts Council website, type in your postcode or area, and it'll let you know about the local theatres that are participating and how to contact them. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.
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MovieBytes - Screenwriting Contests & Markets Online
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Interview with 20/20 Contest Winner Martin Fisher
3 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm"The most exhausting part of the process was researching our hero, Diocles, which took almost two years. Among other things, we learned he kept a journal of every race he entered and his results. Very exciting. This diary became our Holy Grail: we knew it existed but we had a lot of trouble getting our hands on it." -
ScreamFest Announces Contest Results
3 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmHate Night by VJ & Justin Boyd has been named the winner of the ScreamFest Screenplay Competition. -
UCLA's Tremba Wins Goldwyn Award
2 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmJoseph Tremba of UCLA has been announced as the first place winner of the 54th annual Samuel Goldwyn Writing Awards for his screenplay "The Shoeshine Girl." -
Writers Boot Camp Announces Fellowship Program
1 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmEach month, Writers Boot Camp will award three $5000 full scholarships to our Online Professional Membership (OPM), including an opportunity to compete for an annual writing/development deal with Writers Boot Camp Productions and/or a studio, network or independent producer. -
Writers on the Storm Announces Top 10
1 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pmThe Writers on the Storm Screenwriting Competition has announced their top 10 finalists for 2009.
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ScriptLinks Updates
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Competitions - Current (November 1)
2 Nov 2009 | 11:35 pm93 competitions listed, includes 6 Canadian and 15 new competitions. Call for: environment, Pennsylvania, inspirational, Horror, online, PEI, Ohio, science and technology, Washington State, Vancouver, Pilots. -
Bulletin Board (4 new items)
31 Oct 2009 | 11:59 pmBritish Columbia Film 2008/2009 Annual Activity Report * Writing on the Edge - Vancouver * ScriptForSale Free Rewrite Teleconference * BC Film Professional Internship Program -
*New* Screen Resources
21 Oct 2009 | 10:45 pmNew page with film and screenwriting-related searches, lists, directories and databases. -
Resources (Updated)
21 Oct 2009 | 10:45 pmUpdated and renovated page with 9 new links. -
Bulletin Board (3 New Items)
12 Oct 2009 | 11:40 pmDov Simen's 2-Day Film School * Creative Business of Screenwriting Workshop * LG Life's Good FilmFest
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Writing for Performance
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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… -
"My journey with 'Doctors', so far"
26 Oct 2009 | 2:39 pmDavid Bishop:"Nobody wants to read a spec script for a UK show. You get invited to write a trial script, but that's a later stage in the process. First you have to impress somebody with your own, original writing. Sending a Doctors spec script to a Doctors script editor? Pure amateur hour. Unsurprisingly, it got ignored for months. But I wasn't giving up on it, not just yet. [I'm nothing if not persistent.]"Article in full -
Writing Film - a good practice guide
22 Oct 2009 | 9:05 amWriters' Guild:"A new good practice guide for screenwriters produced by the Writers' Guild and to be launched at this year’s Screenwriters’ Festival, calls for writers and producers to be partners not enemies.The comprehensive 'how-to' document aims to bridge the gap between the art and the business of screenwriting. It stresses that to be a success in the industry you need more than just a great script. Careful collaboration with other key players is imperative to ensure a script’s successful completion and financial viability."Article in full
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By Ken Levine
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The night our warm-up guy turned on the audience
6 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pmTuesday was election day (I learned on Wednesday). I am reminded of the election episode my partner, David and I wrote for the TONY RANDALL SHOW.I’ll pause for a moment while you say “what the hell was the TONY RANDALL SHOW?" It was an MTM series in the late 70’s starring the late Tony Randall as a judge in Philadelphia. It’ll probably never be shown again but it was a damn funny show. Below is the opening and closing title sequences. (It's amazing we had any time to actually do the show, the opening titles were so friggin' long.)In this particular episode, Tony’s character runs for… -
How do we determine screen credits?
5 Nov 2009 | 7:37 pmWelcome to Friday question day. If you have one the comments section beckons.gottacook asks:Ken, since you've been on an arbitration committee, could you perhaps write a little about the process when a credit is contested? Just in a general sense, without mention of any specific movie or TV script?First off the arbitration process offers great protection to writers. It prevents directors and producers and producers' mistresses from just slapping their names on scripts. To get screen credit you need to earn it.This is a topic that could fill a book but here’s just the brief overview.When… -
The new Hollywood is Santa Clarita!
4 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pmHooray for Santa ClaritaThat screwy, ballyhooey Santa Clarita...Go out and try your luck,You might be Donald DuckHooray for Santa ClaritaThe Walt Disney Company last week announced that it would build a 56-acre production facility in Santa Clarita, which is in the middle of nowhere on the way to Bakersfield. The reason is simple – to cut down on runaway production costs.When you hear “Santa Clarita” in the news or read about it in the papers it’s usually accompanied by the word “evacuations”. Until now, brush fires have been its claim to fame.But soon it will be the show business… -
How I spent my endless summer vacation
3 Nov 2009 | 7:30 pmOh no! A baseball post! Don't worry. It's really a humor piece disguised as a sports article disguised as something worth reading. The HuffingtonPost is starting a Sports section and asked me to write something for their inaugural run. Thought I'd share it with you first. Really, it's safe. It’s hard to believe the World Series is wrapping up. The baseball season is so very short. It has been my pleasure this year to co-host Dodger Talk with Josh Suchon after every game on Talkradio 790 KABC. I kept a journal so I wouldn’t forget all the unforgettable moments. This may differ from the… -
But wait! There's MORE!
2 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pmHere are a few follow-ups to some recent posts.I ranted that certain actresses just keep getting part after part. One I cited was Kim Raver, who was in 24 and 52 other series. Here she is pictured above starring in three at once. I see that she’s just joined the cast of GREY’S ANATOMY. Seriously. How many network presidents did she pull from burning buildings? The two most viewed posts from the archives: The Traci Lords Family Show and HOUSE HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD. Combine them and I think you have the next great reality show. Although I imagine the network would replace Traci Lords with…
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A Bucket of Love
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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… -
austin film fest 2009 -- "the return"
28 Oct 2009 | 6:59 amAnyone foolish to be a longtime or repeat visitor to this waste of bandwidth surely knows that I have a certain fondness for the annual screenwriter's conference at the Austin Film Festival. It's strange to try and recall that time before I'd first felt the insane rush of... "finally arriving at a place you were always meant and expected to be...". I'm sure there's some fancy word for that -- very likely something German and complicated. It's not destiny exactly, though that likely comes close to what I am fumbling to describe. It's a palpable feeling I clearly remember washing over me, like…
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My Next One Will Be Better
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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…
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ALLIGATORS IN A HELICOPTER
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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. -
Weekend Box Office #156
16 Oct 2009 | 9:33 amThe big question this weekend is how much WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE will do. It has been a roller-coaster ride for this movie: early production work said it was a mess, too dark for kids. But they've done a great job advertising it in the last few months, and I think a lot of kids will want to see it, though I'm not sure how many adults-without-kids will seek it out.WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (3735 theaters). I'm going to guess $42.4 million for the weekend, though it could do a lot more -- or less.LAW ABIDING CITIZEN (2889 theaters). It looks okay. Maybe $14.5 million for the weekend.THE… -
Weekend Box Office #155
9 Oct 2009 | 11:03 amQuiet weekend this weekend, with only one movie opening wide.COUPLES RETREAT (3000 theaters). As much as I like Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau together, I have yet to hear an actual funny joke in any commercial for this film, and it's hard to imagine what's going to hook audiences. Prediction: $8.1 million for the weekend.*******Last weekend, ZOMBIELAND did a very solid $24.7 million.TOY STORY/TOY STORY 2 did $12.5 million. THE INVENTION OF LYING did only $7.0 million, and WHIP IT stumbled in with only $4.6 million.CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY did only $4.4 million.
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clarkblog
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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 -
WORKING TITLES
18 Sep 2009 | 10:59 amOften the best part of a movie is the trailer. Sometimes it's the title sequence.I've spent a lot of time reading the interviews and critiques at Art of the Title, which examines the creative process that goes into making title sequences. Fascinating stuff.
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Scriptwriting in the UK
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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. -
New UK Sci-Fi
22 Oct 2009 | 3:12 pmWatch out. There's a new science fiction writer in town. It's only the inimitable gent Philip Palmer. He's published two new sci-fi books this year: Debatable Space and Red Claw (just released). He's got a blog. He's got a sense of humour. He's Welsh (not Scottish, thanks pdolly!). He even wrote a sci-fi episode of Heartbeat last year. He writes for radio, TV and film. Saunter over to his place and say hello. He may even buy you a drink.**you never know -
Story Vault: Know Your Cuts
19 Oct 2009 | 6:22 amYesterday, on Sky Arts Book Show (or possibly last week's show and I was watching a repeat), host Mariella Frostrup interviewed screenwriter Christopher Hampton. He recalled one of his earlier lessons in screenwriting from David Lean, where Lean would insist on knowing how the last image of one scene would flow/compliment/match (or mismatch) to the next scene. It taught Hampton a lot about transitions, and how to make them work in a script. Here's my take on the subject: Know Your Cuts. Originally posted 11th April 2006.---Back in the day, I was an assistant in Channel 4’s comedy department… -
Origin, update
14 Oct 2009 | 3:52 amI started developing Origin, my short film, in January of this year. By the end of April, I had a cast and crew, and we shot the film over four days. Editing finished in July (although not much happened in May as we tried to get completion funding). Music was composed, then re-composed. Sound design was signed off, and the film benefited from the full digital intermediate experience at Ascent142. All of this was achieved on a modest budget, a huge amount of goodwill and favours, not to mention vital financial contributions made via the blog and Twitter (thank you!).At the moment, I'm waiting…
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Dead Things ON Sticks
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Yes, SmartAss, You Should Also Be Concerned About H1N1...
6 Nov 2009 | 7:48 amTHE GOOD PEOPLE at the Actor's union, ACTRA, have prepped this vid sticking up for Canadian TV. With cable & broadcast in their death match, continued whisperings about relaxing the content rules for CMF funding, and a host of other reasons, it's the fight that never ends, and some of us are getting a little tired and disillusioned by it all, but what are you gonna do? We need the eggs.--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com-- -
The Portable Doyle
5 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pmIN JOHN DOYLE'S Globe column today, there's this small little phrase, talking about Reality TV: I think Battle of the Blades represents what we are. But So You Think You Can Dance Canada represents what we aspire to be.Yesterday, The Toronto Star -- a paper founded in a progressive spirit that lately has been seized by the spirit of Labour Trouble...announced it was going to be offering voluntary buyouts to staff, in anticipation of what will probably be a horrible round of layoffs.Such is the tenor of the times. Y'know, for all the fooferal and amateur writing about TeeVee on the Web --… -
Border Extras
5 Nov 2009 | 11:00 amIN MY REVIEW for this week's The Border episode yesterday, I left out a piece I wanted to talk about. On the CBC's site, besides watching full episodes to catch up, there's also a series of "psych assessments" of various ICS team members. Kind of In Treatment meets The Border. Some surprising insights into context around past episodes. Well worth checking out.And remember, The Border's "Missing in Action" episode airs tonight at 9pm on CBC.--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com-- -
It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, or Notes From a Secular Culture.
5 Nov 2009 | 5:00 amIT STARTED INNOCENTLY enough. A friend mused to me the other night that they wanted to get in there and get in on that Black Friday shopping craziness, and lamented that Canada didn't have the same tradition. Ah yes, the American Thanksgiving Friday. Traditional opening to the Christmas shopping season. I pointed out, of course, that Canadians have Boxing Day. She grimaced. "Boxing Day sucks."Then, from three separate people -- none of whom know each other -- I heard tale of how happy they were that Starbucks has brought out the traditional Red Christmas Cups. Ah yes. In two generations we've… -
You Built It and We Came
4 Nov 2009 | 8:51 pmWOW. Well, thanks to Joe Girardi & Charlie Manuel and Werth and A-Rod and Matsui & Rivera and C.C. and Utley and Howard & Jeter & Lee & Damon for a GREAT SERIES. Awesome TV. Awesome fun. ...and even you, A.J. (and I'm gonna take heat for that in Toronto.)See y'all in April. Halliday, aw, God...we love ya. We do. We do. But we know. We know.--for updates and to continue the discussion in comments, please go directly to http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com--
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Living the Romantic Comedy
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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… -
The Fat and the Thin
11 Oct 2009 | 9:37 pmSmall children and babies ought to be plump. So wrote Sei Shonagon in her Pillow Book over a thousand years ago, and her intimation was that everyone else ought to be not. Those of us currently living in Fat America salute her prescience. Shonagon also said, Nothing can be worse than allowing the driver of one's ox-carriage to be poorly dressed, so I don't consider her to be an infallible sage. But I thought of her while doing two days of studio notes on a comedy project that had last come in at 144 pages and was now weighing in at 124. 110 pages is okay, just… -
The Draft Withdrawal Shakes
4 Oct 2009 | 2:32 pmOn the first night of every new writing class I teach, I have the students introduce themselves and be greeted in the manner of an AA meeting ("Hi, my name is Melvin..." "Hi, Melvin!!!"). This is not an arbitrary ritual.The writing junkie: No matter how many times we quit it, we go back. No matter how sick the process makes us, we keep at it; no matter how we endeavor to reduce the dosage ("One little blog post - how could that hurt?"), soon enough we need more and more of it ("This novel ought to only take me a few years"). Reams…
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INDELIBLE FRECKLES
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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. -
Execution Dependent
26 Oct 2009 | 1:25 amLately I’ve been comparing – fairly or unfairly, it’s unavoidable – some shows screening on the Fortress Mamea goggle box. EXHIBIT A INT. HOSPITAL – DAY DOCTOR SLAUGHTER smiles as he examines a NERVOUS PATIENT. SLAUGHTER I’m going to listen to your heart beat. He does so with his STETHOSCOPE. SLAUGHTER I’m going to check your pupils. He does so with his PENLIGHT. EXHIBIT B EXT. DESERT, IRAQ – DAY Mercenary NICK SWORD scans a DISTANT VILLAGE through his BINOCULARS. He makes notes with PENCIL and NOTEPAD. We notice a slight tremor in his writing… -
Point & Click
19 Oct 2009 | 4:00 pmSome rather thin screenwriting-related links this month. Heee. (Fedora-tip: Alex Epstein.) I’m a Joss Whedon fan from his Buffy days (Dollhouse has yet to reach these shores) but this Cracked list of 5 Reasons It Sucks Being a Joss Whedon Fan is both funny and spot on, with my fave being: … There is only one real lesson in Whedonland, and it’s that loving cool people is dangerous because someone’s probably gonna shove a flaming rock into their skull. Yep: that’s how I got hooked in Season 2. (Fedora-tip: Lucy Vee.) And Roger Ebert’s post about performance… -
Pick Up
11 Oct 2009 | 11:00 amJohn August posted recently about the ubiquity of lost cellphone signals in movies. It does happen – constantly in just-remote-enough Fortress Mamea – but its use in film and television is beginning to grate as much as the ol’ I have vital information to impart but the phone is not safe so let us rendezvous in a dark alley where I will be killed just before we meet device. Yes, the real world in which we live is imperfect. The world which your characters inhabit is just as imperfect, but only enough for the audience to recognise it as such. Adapt accordingly.
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The Screenwrightist
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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…
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Running With My Eyes Closed
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6 Nov 2009 | 2:22 pm
6 Nov 2009 | 2:22 pmI watched the pilot episode of V last night… late I know, but that’s life in the PVR lane. I’d seen a review that said V might be the hit of the season, so I bumped the pilot up to the top of my viewing list. First, can I say that the name bugs me? It makes me think of True Blood and then I get all confused looking for vampires. But no, V is a minor twist on all the super power shows we’ve seen in the last few years. The trend has been to have the lead characters coping with discovering their own powers (Heroes, Chuck, the short lived Journeyman, for example). V is about the… -
Oatmeal and Pigeons
6 Nov 2009 | 5:34 amIt’s Friday and Google is featuring Bert and Ernie in their on-going celebration of the 40th birthday of the Childrens Television Network. Are there more celebratory logos to come? I hope so, because Big Bird, Cookie and Bert and Ernie may be classics, but what about Grover???!!! In my on-going celebration of the birthday, here’s another Grover video. -
The Office: New Web Series
5 Nov 2009 | 7:43 amSubtle Sexuality is the new 3- part web series from the Office that launched October 29th. Subtle Sexuality is a girl group formed by characters Kelly Kapoor and Erin Hannon. The Subtle Sexuality website promises a world tour. These independent ladies can do it all: sing, dance, be fiercealicious, and work it…all at the same time!! Straight out of Scranton, PA their new single is inspired by Rihanna, Katy Perry, J.Hud, and all the Kardashians. Tear it open and you’ll never be able to put it back in the box, ’cause Subtle Sexuality is more than just a pop group: it’s a way of… -
The C Word
5 Nov 2009 | 7:18 amHow long will Google’s celebration of CTW’s 40th birthday last? Will we get a doodle with The Count? Oscar? Ernie and Bert? Hope so. But most of all, I’d like to see my furry pal Grover atop my Google search tomorrow. I have a lot of favourite Sesame memories including Madeline Kahn and Grover singing Sing a Song together. So in honour of the continuing celebration, here it is. And since this is Cookie Monster’s day, let’s throw in a little C is for Cookie action… although after all the Halloween candy this week, the only other word that starts… -
Happy Birthday CTW
4 Nov 2009 | 5:39 amThe Childrens Television Workshop, producers of Sesame Street and so much more, is 40 years young. Big Bird still has the legs, doesn’t he?
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The Screenwrightist
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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…
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Mystery Man on Film
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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?)…
