Scott Myers

Scene Description Spotlight: “Se7en”

I posted this sequence in the movie Se7en as a Great Scene here and you can go there to see an analysis and commentary about it. But this time, let’s focus on the scene description. Here is my original introduction: When a movie builds to the climactic face-off

Movie Trailer: “Wreck-It Ralph”

IMDB site Release Date: 2 November 2012 Comment Archive

Saturday Hot Links

Time for another installment of Saturday Hot Links! Today: The Woody Allen Stand-Up Comedy Edition! Hollywood remembers Ray Bradbury. Ray Bradbury in the New Yorker: Two stories. Reports of first doctor to attend to Abraham Lincoln after he was shot found. Noomi Rapace’s screen tests for Prometheus [video]

Written Interview: Evan Daugherty [“Snow White and the Huntsman”]

From /Film: For anyone out there reading, writing and making movies with your eyes set on Hollywood, Evan Daugherty‘s story of how he wrote and got Snow White and the Huntsman made is an inspiration. Years before studio began salivating over big action fairy tale films, Daugherty had the

Daily Dialogue — June 9, 2012

Annie sits on the couch waiting Castaway. It’s the tearjerking scene when Wilson the volleyball is floating away from Tom Hanks. He’s losing his friend. Annie is sobbing. The DOORBELL rings. Annie opens the door. MEGAN is standing there with 7 PUPPIES from Helen’s shower on leashes.

“Go Into The Story: The Quest” — Submissions are now closed!

The submission period for “Go Into The Story: The Quest” is now officially closed. Please do not send any more loglines or inquiries about sending loglines. I received a mind boggling number of loglines and have enough to keep me quite busy as it is. I will take the weekend

Update: “Go Into The Story: The Quest”

An update on “Go Into The Story: The Quest”: Number of individual submissions up to the time of this post: 1476. Number of loglines: 2400 [estimated]. For background on “The Quest,” the opportunity for up to four writers to do a 24-week Screenwriting Master Class workshop with me for

Loglines and theme

I received this email from Shawn Michael Larkin about “The Quest”: I’ve been following the amazing opportunity you’ve put out there for writers. Wow. So regarding the loglines and concepts in general, it seems that there isn’t much room for theme. I seem to always come from

Spec Script Sale: “Interrogation”

WWE Studios has acquired suspense thriller spec script “Interrogation” from writer Adam Rodin. From Deadline: A bomb will go off in Las Vegas on one of the busiest betting days. A brilliant interrogator is called in to question the prime suspect as time runs out, and it becomes clear there’

Reader Question: Which has better opportunities for writers: Movies or TV?

From Steff Brown: I’ve been reading a lot of blogs lately and many are discussing the pros and cons of writing in either film or in TV. Where do you think a writer can have a more healthy career? That is a timely question. Check out this recent article

Production Video: “The Hobbit” (#7)

The seventh in a series of production videos about The Hobbit. The other videos in the series: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6

The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 1994

The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 1994 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

Movie Trailer: “Flight”

Screenplay by John Gatins IMDB site Release Date: 2 November 2012 Comment Archive

Rod Serling: On how he wishes more writers would put themselves to the test

GITS reader David A sent me a link to an amazing set of videos, a sit-down conversation with TV and screenwriter Rod Serling. Most well-known for the long-running TV anthology series “The Twilight Zone” (148 episodes, 1959–1964), has over 70 writing credits including the screenplays for

Great Character: Travis Bickle (“Taxi Driver”)

Note: Recently I asked if there were members of the GITS community who would like to participate with guest columns. Today’s Great Character post is provided by longtime GITS follower Jason Cuthbert. Even in a dense metropolis like New York City, and working as a cab driver, where your

Daily Dialogue — June 8, 2012

Ron: I’m so fucked up. Fucked up. Mr. Kovic: Ronnie… maybe a little trip is all you need. That place down in Mexico you were talking about. Ron: I don’t want to go to Mexico. I don’t want to go no place. I don’t want to

Story Ideas: Think international

First an update on “Go Into The Story: The Quest”: Number of individual submissions up to the time of this post: 1142. Number of loglines: 1700+ [estimated]. For background on “The Quest,” the opportunity for up to four writers to do a 24-week Screenwriting Master Class workshop with me

Tom Benedek’s two upcoming Screenwriting Master Classes

My friend and colleague Tom Benedek is one of the most respected and well-connected screenwriters I know. He’s also a great teacher and mentor. He’s offering two exciting courses both starting toward the end of this month: Network Hollywood: How to Market Your Script/Build Your Career

Spec Script Sale: “Bethlehem”

Universal acquires supernatural spec script “Bethlehem” from writer Larry Brenner. From Variety: Story follows a group of humans who turn to an unlikely ally to protect them from harm and shepherd them to a safe haven in Bethlehem, Penn. Script made the 2011 Black List. Brenner is repped by CAA

Reader Question: What’s the best way to test your story idea’s commercial viability?

From @CaveDude21: What’s the best way to test ur idea’s Commercial Viability — friends, family? Blogs, Forums seem risky > theft. This is a really good question and I’m going to back away to let the GITS community take the lead. Three brief points before I go: * Do

An unbelieva-bull story

Back in L.A. in 1988, I met a young screenwriter named Jerry Rapp. We have stayed in touch ever since as he carved out a career making independent movies. I spoke with Jerry recently and he told me an unbelievable story about his latest script project… that just happens

The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 1993

The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 1993 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

Movie Trailer: “Django Unchained”

Written by Quentin Tarantino IMDB site Release Date: 25 December 2012 Comment Archive

Rod Serling: Are writers born or made?

GITS reader David A sent me a link to an amazing set of videos, a sit-down conversation with TV and screenwriter Rod Serling. Most well-known for the long-running TV anthology series “The Twilight Zone” (148 episodes, 1959–1964), has over 70 writing credits including the screenplays for

The Business of Screenwriting: The screenwriter as problem-solver

Words of wisdom from legendary Hollywood producer Max Millimeter. What do you see when you think about yourself as a screenwriter? A storyteller? A creative? A professional? However you see yourself, that’s not necessarily how people in Hollywood see you. This came up in a conversation with Max Millimeter: