Scott Myers

Daily Dialogue — July 5, 2012

“Shoot straight, you bastards. Don’t make a mess of it.” — Harry Morant (Edward Woodward), Breaker Morant (1980), screenplay by Jonathan Hardy, David Stevens and Bruce Beresford [3:58 of the clip] The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is gallows humor suggested by churnage. Today’s suggestion by Tavis

Now THIS is a pitch!

I know this has nothing inherently to do with it being Independence Day in the U.S., but somehow it works for me. A reminder that stories are best when served visually. Happy July 4th, everyone! May your writing in the next year create fireworks, and secure you life, liberty

Dora the Explorer Movie Trailer (with Ariel Winter)

From CollegeHumor: Dora the Explorer Movie Trailer (with Ariel Winter) on CollegeHumorEdit descriptionwww.collegehumor.com HT to Shaula Evans for the link!

The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 2012

Pretty much ever since I sold a spec script in 1987, I have been fascinated by them. The very idea that a writer could conceive a story concept, research, craft and write an original screenplay, then sell it to a Hollywood buyer is in and of itself a remarkable thing.

Movie Trailer [red band]: “The Man With The Iron Fists”

Screenplay by Eli Roth and RZA IMDB site

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Don’t Finish That Scene!

Let’s say you’re in the middle of writing a script — and it’s a slog. You’re finding it really tough to drag your ass onto the chair and start writing the next scene. Well, let’s roll back the clock. What if yesterday, you hadn’t finished

Script To Screen: “V For Vendetta”

Here is The Speech from the 2005 movie V For Vendetta [screenplay by The Wachowski Brothers]. Setup: A shadowy freedom fighter known only as “V” uses terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society. Upon rescuing a girl from the secret police, he also finds his best chance at having

Daily Dialogue — July 4, 2012

“Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs…” — John McClane (Bruce Willis), Die Hard (1988), screenplay by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza, based on a novel by Roderick Thorp The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is gallows humor suggested by churnage who

Woodcut prints inspired by favorite films

There are many reasons I love doing what I do, including this blog. Here is one: I get to meet such cool, creative people. An email from artist Loren Kanter: Scott, I’m a woodcut artist living in Los Angeles. I’ve carved a number of original woodcut prints inspired

Movies You Made: “Games People Play”

written & directed TWO TRICK PONY cinematography JOEL PINCOSY shot by JUSTIN POTTER prod coordinator JENNIFER McLAUGHLIN lighting THE PEREZ BROS. art direction ARI SIGAL costumes VALERIE IIDA wardrobe asst AMANDA RAMIREZ prod sound BRYAN QUINN edited ZEPHYR MUNTARI vfx CLAYTON DOUGLAS sound mix KEENAN JENSEN music LEOPOLD AND HIS

The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 2011

Pretty much ever since I sold a spec script in 1987, I have been fascinated by them. The very idea that a writer could conceive a story concept, research, craft and write an original screenplay, then sell it to a Hollywood buyer is in and of itself a remarkable thing.

Movie Trailer: “Silver Linings Playbook”

Yahoo! Video PlayerEdit descriptiond.yimg.com Screenplay by David O. Russell, novel by Matthew Quick IMDB site Release Date:

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: 1 Page Per Day

I heard this idea from producer Larry Gordon about how to knock out a script: Write one page per day. Think about it — at one page per day, in 4 months you’ve generated a 120 pages. So if you take this approach: * 1 month: Research, brainstorming, character development, plotting

Screenwriting 101: John Carpenter

“Every great work has something that’s thematic about it. Not a message, because I don’t think movies do messages very well. They fall flat. Socially, I mean, some great films were made back in the ’30s and ’40s and you can see that they were placed in the

Daily Dialogue — July 3, 2012

INT. DOCTORS’ OFFICE — DAY Inside a small doctor’s office, Hal, Oliver and Dr. Long have a meeting. DR. LONG: Hal, you don’t need to come in for any more treatments. Stoic and irreverent, Hal feigns surprise. HAL: Have I done something wrong? DR. FLASTER: It’s best that

Update: “Go Into The Story: The Quest”

For an update on “Go Into The Story: The Quest,” click continue. “The Quest” I have contacted all 21 writers [including 1 writing team] and they all accepted the terms I had stated publicly about potentially participating in the 24-week workshop for free. I have received the requested information

Compare Chigurh [No Country For Old Men] and Harvey Dent [The Dark Knight]

Last week, we read and analyzed No Country For Old Men which featured one of the most compelling ‘bad guys’ in recent cinema: Chigurh. And he’s got this thing about coins: Anton Chigurh: What’s the most you ever lost on a coin toss. Gas Station Proprietor: Sir? Anton

Movies You Made: “Rhubarb Pie”

From filmmaker Bryan Colley, his short film “Rhubarb Pie”: Head to comments to let Bryan know what you think. Anybody else with a movie you made, feel free to post in comments. Comment Archive

The Definitive Spec Script Deals List (1991–2012): 2010

Pretty much ever since I sold a spec script in 1987, I have been fascinated by them. The very idea that a writer could conceive a story concept, research, craft and write an original screenplay, then sell it to a Hollywood buyer is in and of itself a remarkable thing.

Genre Essentials

I have gotten to know a lot of screenwriters through the years including many of those who have broken into the business recently. In talking with or interviewing them, there is one thing I find they have in common: They know their stuff, particularly about the genre in which they

On Writing

“The instinct of creativity must be followed by the act.” — Rod Serling

Daily Dialogue — July 2, 2012

“By the authority vested in me by Kaiser William II, I pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution.” — Captain of Louisa (Peter Bull), The African Queen (1951), screenplay by James Agee & John Huston, based on a novel by C.S. Forester The Daily Dialogue theme for the

Daily Dialogue theme for next week:

Wow, lots of great suggestions this time around, probably enough to take us through summer. We’ll see when I post the schedule below. But the business at hand is next week and for that we go with a suggestion by churnage: Gallows Humor! It’s a critical situation, life

“Rod Serling: The Man Who Knew Too Much”

From “American Masters” on PBS: HT to @webacion for the link!

Best Confessions of Love

Want some reference points for how to write a character saying, “I love you”? Here you go! HT to Christine for the link!