Scott Myers

“What’s Behind Hollywood’s Obsession With Old Man Action Heroes?”

The Expendables. Taken. Red. Bullet to the Head. A Good Day to Die Hard. What’s the deal with “old man action heroes”? That’s a question raised in this Flavorwire article: These days it seems action films aren’t just a young man’s game anymore — they’re becoming

Movie Trailer: “Olympus Has Fallen”

A former Secret Service agent works to save the President after he is captured in a terrorist attack on the White House. Written by Creighton Rothenberger, Katrin Benedikt IMDB site Release Date: 22 March 2013 (USA)

GITS Script Reading & Analysis: “Groundhog Day” — Themes

This week we will be analyzing the screenplay for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, story by Danny Rubin. The movie received the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. You may download a copy of the script here. Today we discuss the script’s

The Business of Screenwriting: Sometimes you just have to say “Yes”… even to crap projects

I am sitting in the Beverly Hills office of my entertainment lawyer. In front of me is a contract. It’s for a writing assignment. My gig. The project name: “Bazooka Joe.” That’s right. Bazooka Joe. I flip the page to check the compensation amount one last time. Yep,

Daily Dialogue — January 31, 2013

“It seems that you have been living two lives. In one life, you are Thomas A. Anderson, program writer for a respectable software company. You have a social security number, you pay your taxes and you help your land lady carry out her garbage. The other life is lived in

How to write an original TV pilot

Some reflections on an intriguing trend in Hollywood writing circles: WHY TV MATTERS FOR FEATURE SCREENWRITERS — AS AN AESTHETIC STANDARD AND AS A MARKETPLACE As Netflix ‘releases’ David Fincher’s “House of Cards” series in a few days, TV’s new golden age reaches something of a landmark. This high

Interview: Sean Robert Daniels (2012 Nicholl Winner) — Part 3

Sean Robert Daniels’ original screenplay “Killers” is a taut, finely crafted thriller that won him a 2012 Nicholl fellowship. And for those of you toiling away on spec scripts outside the United States, Sean can be an inspiration for you as he lives 10,364 air miles away from Los

“Eight Big Takeaways From the 2013 Sundance Film Festival”

Whatever you may think about the Sundance Film Festival, the reality is it’s a big deal in Hollywood and beyond. And speaking of ‘deals,’ this year, like the last few years, there was a surge of acquisitions, some for big bucks. Vulture has a nice roundup with eight big

Movie Trailer: “Between Us”

Two couples meet as old friends and discover their lives are tainted by money, success, sex and children. Written by Joe Hortua, Dan Mirvish IMDB site Comment Archive

GITS Script Reading & Analysis: “Groundhog Day” — Characters

This week we will be analyzing the screenplay for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, story by Danny Rubin. The movie received the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. You may download a copy of the script here. Today we discuss the script’s

Daily Dialogue — January 30, 2013

Carl Hanratty: How’d you do it, Frank? How’d you pass the bar in Louisiana? Frank Abagnale, Jr.: What are you doing here? Carl Hanratty: Listen… Frank Abagnale, Jr.: I’m sorry I put you through all this. Carl Hanratty: You go back to Europe, you’re gonna die

Reader Question: How important is it for writers to analyze screenplays?

A question from Maurice Vaughan: I’ve been following your blog for a while now. Not sure if anyone has answered this, but my question is; I’ve been reading scripts lately and doing my own coverage on them (to see what works and what doesn’t in screenwriting). Do

Interview: Sean Robert Daniels (2012 Nicholl Winner) — Part 2

Sean Robert Daniels’ original screenplay “Killers” is a taut, finely crafted thriller that won him a 2012 Nicholl fellowship. And for those of you toiling away on spec scripts outside the United States, Sean can be an inspiration for you as he lives 10,364 air miles away from Los

I don’t even know how to title this one…

So I’m bumping around Facebook yesterday when I see something from Susan Cartsonis that caught my eye. Susan is an established movie producer with many credits including What Women Want and No Reservations. When I was introduced to Susan, she was an executive at 20th Century Fox. How did

Movie Trailer: “Inside Llewyn Davis”

A singer-songwriter navigates New York’s folk music scene during the 1960s. Screenplay by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen IMDB site

GITS Script Reading & Analysis: “Groundhog Day” — Structure

This week we will be analyzing the screenplay for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, story by Danny Rubin. The movie received the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. You may download a copy of the script here. Today we discuss the script’s

Screenwriting 101: Jon Spaihts

“So much of screenwriting is information management. A script is made of interlocking chains of necessary revelations.” — Jon Spaihts Comment Archive

Daily Dialogue — January 29, 2013

INT. GEORGE GREY’S OFFICE — DAY George Grey is around 50, impeccably dressed, talking on the phone. As Michael enters: GEORGE (into phone): Hold on a second. (pushes hold) Michael, can you wait outside, please? I’m talking to the Coast. MICHAEL: This is a coast, too, George. New York

Movies You Are Making: “The Tiger Hunter”

I present to you a Kickstarter movie project definitely worth your consideration: “The Tiger Hunter” from writer-director Lena Khan. Here is Lena in her own words talking about the project: My name is Lena Khan, and for the past 8 years, I’ve devoted my life toward making this

Interview: Sean Robert Daniels (2012 Nicholl Winner) — Part 1

Sean Robert Daniels’ original screenplay “Killers” is a taut, finely crafted thriller that won him a 2012 Nicholl fellowship. And for those of you toiling away on spec scripts outside the United States, Sean can be an inspiration for you as he lives 10,364 air miles away from Los

Sundance 2013: The Indie Business Lives

From TheWrap, a brief video excerpt from Sundance 2013 featuring director Lynn Shelton (“Touchy Feely”), Chris Williams (Maker Studios), Slated CEO Duncan Cork, Maker’s Williams, producer Rick Rosenthal, producer Jonathan Dana, and Indieflix’s Andreen: Theatrical, online, RPM models. Things are changing quickly in the indie film world. The

Movie Trailer: “Jug Face”

Written by Chad Crawford Kinkle Selected for the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival

GITS Script Reading & Analysis: “Groundhog Day”

Welcome to the GITS Script Reading & Analysis series, Volume 26. This week we will be analyzing the screenplay for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, story by Danny Rubin. The movie received the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. You may download a

On Writing

“Read, read, read. If you don’t study how the masters do things, you’ll never be a master yourself.” — Brayden Hirsch HT to @Quotes4writers for the Tweet

Daily Dialogue — January 28, 2013

Charlie: I don’t know how to adapt this. I mean, I should’ve stuck with my own stuff. I don’t know why I thought I could write this. (Marty spots a co-worker) Marty: See her? I fucked her up the ass. (laughs) No, I’m kidding. Umm…