Scott Myers

Interview: Michael Werwie (2012 Nicholl Winner, 2012 Black List)

Michael Werwie’s original screenplay “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile” not only won the young screenwriter a 2012 Nicholl fellowship, it also landed on the 2012 Black List, garnering 31 votes, the 7th highest total of any script on the list this year. Michael was kind enough to agree

Dispatch from The Quest: Rob Pilkington

This marks Rob’s final Dispatch from The Quest: Forgive me if I don’t sound more triumphant. For me, The Quest unfolded during a hectic time. I won’t recap prior dispatches (Previously, on INTERNET PEOPLE…), but when The Quest was announced on Go Into The Story, I was

“Toy Story” recreated with actual toys

Mindboggling! Gizmodo has been tracking this project for a while and you can read up on that here. Evidently Pixar signed off on it recently. The Live-Action Toy Story Project Facebook page here. HT to @firstshowing for the link.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: How To Begin [Part 1]

If you are a screenwriter, you should know about Anita Loos. Loos was one of the most influential writers in the early stages of American cinema, associated with 136 film projects per IMDB. Married to writer John Emerson, the pair wrote one of the first books on screenwriting in 1920:

Screenwriting News (January 7-January 13, 2013)

Frank Darabont rewriting the remake of Godzilla for Warner Bros. Dean Devlin and Paul Guyot sell an untitled disaster spec script for seven figures to Skydance Productions. Seth Lochhead rewriting “Shadow of the Colussus” based on the sci-fi action video game for Sony. Jeff Nathanson writing the sequel “PIrates

Daily Dialogue — January 13, 2013

“You wanna fuck with me? Okay. You wanna play rough? Okay. Say hello to my little friend!” — Scarface (1983), screenplay by Oliver Stone http://static.movieclips.com/embedplayer.swf?shortid=qf7n The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is gangster deaths, suggested by Phil Hopersberger. Today’s suggestion by Vic

Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Overreacting

As we put a capper on a week’s worth of gangster deaths [thanks to Phil Hopersberger for that suggestion], we rev up for next week’s Daily Dialogues. Them: Overreacting, as put forth by @davidproenza. Not just reacting, but reacting above and beyond the nature of the circumstances, as

Dispatch from The Quest: Scott Reynolds

This marks Scott’s final Dispatch from The Quest: I read a blog post. I wrestled with ideas. I submitted a log line. I waited. I was selected. I was submerged in the practice of screenwriting. I faded in. I struggled alongside my characters. I went to the bathroom a

Spec Script Sale: “Haunt”

On August 27, 2012, it was announced QED International acquired supernatural horror spec script “Haunt” from writer Andrew Barrer. From Deadline: A family that moves into a new home with a dark past. When their son becomes involved with a beautiful girl next door, and together they begin to explore

Spec Script Sale: “The Bloody Benders”

On April 27, 2012, Necropia Entertainment and AngryFilms acquired horror-thriller spec script “The Bloody Benders” from writer Adam Robitel. From Deadline: A husband, wife, son and daughter run a hotel in Kansas on the outskirts of the prairie in 1873. As many as 20 guests check in, but they

Spec Script Sale: “The Most Wonderful Time”

On February 28, 2012, Relativity Media acquired drama spec script “The Most Wonderful Time” from writer Steven Rogers. From Deadline: Rogers, whose credits include P.S. I Love You, Kate & Leopold and Stepmom, this time focuses on the chaos of a family around Christmastime, featuring storylines with multiple characters

Great Scene: “Contact”

One of the most critical tasks for a screenwriter in writing a story’s set-up is to convey to the reader something of the core essence of the Protagonist. Not only that, but provide the reader some type of emotional resonance with the P. If you can do those

Saturday Hot Links

Time once again for Saturday Hot Links! Today: The Frederico Fellini Documentary Edition! Complete list of 2013 Oscar nominations. 2013 Oscar nominations by studio. 2013 Oscar nominations by the numbers. The 10 biggest surprises in the 2013 Oscar nominations. LAT: Oscar nomination snubs. THR Oscar analysis: Sure Things, Close Calls,

Written Interview: Rian Johnson (“Looper”)

A FilmSchoolRejects interview with Looper writer-director Rian Johnson: A lot of sci-fi films never match their premise, and I’d say you avoided that pitfall by having that high concept lead to a mother/son story. How early on did you know you were going to steer the

Daily Dialogue — January 12, 2013

“A man becomes preeminent, he’s expected to have enthusiasms. Enthusiasms, enthusiasms… What are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball! A man stands alone at the plate. This is the time for what? For individual achievement. There he stands alone. But in the

Dispatch from The Quest: Jordan Earls

This marks Jordan’s final Dispatch from The Quest: I don’t think I’m alone when I say 2012 was a damn crazy year. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest status insane. At the end of each year, I like to reflect on what I learned. Honestly, though,

Interview: Michael Werwie (2012 Nicholl Winner, 2012 Black List) — Part 5

Michael Werwie’s original screenplay “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile” not only won the young screenwriter a 2012 Nicholl fellowship, it also landed on the 2012 Black List, garnering 31 votes, the 7th highest total of any script on the list this year. Michael was kind enough to agree

Short Film: “R’ha”

Here’s the next hot short film: From THR: R’ha hails from Kaleb Lechowski, an aspiring German director who will turn 23 in March. Lechowski attends Berlin’s Mediadesign Hochschule, where he is studying film and animation. He had no money for actors or live sets but was able

“Hollywood injects originality into 2013 film slate”

From the always insightful Jeff Sneider at Variety, I don’t want to let this January 1 article pass without comment: Originality? In Hollywood? Sure, why not? The 2012 film scene saw record-breaking domestic B.O. of $10.8 billion, fueled by an abundance of franchises and blockbuster comicbook

Movie Trailer: “Lasting”

“Lasting” is an emotional love story about Michał and Karina, a pair of Polish students who meet and fall in love while working summer jobs in Spain. An unexpected nightmare brutally breaks into their carefree time and throws their lives into chaos. Written by Jacek Borcuch IMDB site To premiere

Rewriting Your Script, Part 5: Structure

Since dozens of writers used Go On Your Own Quest to pound out a first draft of their original screenplay, I decided to start off the New Year with a week-long series on rewriting, to honor their commitment and effort, and to encourage them [and everyone else] on their

Great Character: Alonzo Harris (“Training Day”)

This month’s Great Character theme: Cops. Today: Jason Cuthbert’s guest post features Alonzo Harris from the 2001 movie Training Day [written by David Ayer]. After Denzel Washington clinched his first Academy Award in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category at the 1990 ceremony for Glory, Washington

Daily Dialogue — January 11, 2013

“Ya’ know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you’d say to somebody, ‘You’re gonna like this guy, he’s alright. He’s a good fella. He’s one of us.’” — Goodfellas (1990), screenplay Nicholas Pileggi & Martin Scorsese, novel by Nicholas Pileggi The Daily Dialogue theme for

Disptach from The Quest: Ben Odgren

This marks Ben’s final Dispatch from The Quest: http://static.movieclips.com/embedplayer.swf?shortid=Asf3 Finishing up the first draft of a script feels a lot like that. Especially the last part. Proud. Jubilation. Maybe some dancing. And then you read the script (and other people do to)

Interview: Michael Werwie (2012 Nicholl Winner, 2012 Black List) — Part 4

Michael Werwie’s original screenplay “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile” not only won the young screenwriter a 2012 Nicholl fellowship, it also landed on the 2012 Black List, garnering 31 votes, the 7th highest total of any script on the list this year. Michael was kind enough to agree