Scott Myers

Reader Question: What is the difference between montage and series of shots?

Phil asked: Best way to write a group of shots, MONTAGE or SERIES OF SHOTS, and is there a difference? Does it make a difference how you write these shots if there is to be a VO in them? Say the Protagonist is describing the events as they are happening.

Spec Script Sale: “The Watching Hour”

New Line buys horror spec “The Watching Hour” from writers Carey and Shane Van Dyke. Via Deadline: The spec’s described as a home invasion film, only with aliens. If the names of the writers sounds familiar, they are the grandsons of actor Dick Van Dyke. They are repped by

Complex ‘X-Men: First Class’ Screenplay Credit Dispute Resolved

I’ve been involved in numerous WGA credit determinations, both as a writer and as a judge, but this one may take the proverbial cake: After an unusually complicated credit dispute, WGA arbitrators determined Tuesday that Sheldon Turner and Bryan Singer deserve story credit and Ashley Miller & Zack Stentz

Welcome to Go Into The Story!

During the last few months, the site has had a noticeable increase in visitors, so I’d like to resurrect a practice I do occasionally at the beginning of the month: Welcome folks and provide a tour of the site. So grab this virtual steaming macchiato and join me for

Writing Tips: Billy Wilder

You’ve probably seen this. If not, here it is. If you have, a good reminder of some basic stortytelling principles from a master of telling a story: 1. Grab ’em by the throat and never let go. 2. Develop a clean line of action for your leading character. 3.

On writing

“If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.”  — David Viscott Comment Archive

More tales from Development Hell: “Instant Karma”

There was a deal announced last week that puts the spotlight on what is commonly referred to in Hollywood as development hell. Here are some details via THR: Sony Pictures Animation has picked up the rights to Instant Karma, a comedy fantasy from Paul Hernandez, who wrote the script and

“AMERICAN: The Bill Hicks Story”

William Melvin “Bill” Hicks (December 16, 1961 — February 26, 1994) was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician. His humor challenged mainstream beliefs, aiming to “enlighten people to think for themselves.” Hicks used a ribald approach to express his material, describing himself as “Chomsky with dick jokes”

Daily Dialogue — May 1, 2011

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is singing in a non-musical suggested by Chris Drzewiecki. Blue Velvet suggested by -ing-. Trivia: David Lynch cut the film from its original four-hour running time to one frame short of two hours. Despite repeated attempts, the missing two hours of

An interview with The Beaver from “The Beaver”

From Movieline, an interview with The Beaver from The Beaver: The Beaver was your first professional experience acting ever. Had you ever considered acting before this project came along? I took musical theater in high school but never considered acting a real “career option.” After graduation, I got into the

Spec Script Sale: “Ness/Capone”

Relativity Media buys 2010 Black List crime drama spec script “Ness/Capone” from writer Grant Pierce Myers. Via Deadline: Myers went back to the history books and came away with a much different version of Ness. While Kevin Costner played him as an incorruptible married choirboy who had to be

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 30

A mind-boggling story: ID mixup in deadly crash: PHOENIX — Instead of planning Abby Guerra’s funeral, family and friends hope for her recovery after learning that Arizona authorities misidentified her in an auto accident. Guerra was initially listed as having died at the scene of the July 18 crash,

Written Interview: David Simon

The HBO series “Treme” kicked off its 2nd season last Sunday and writer-creator David Simon of “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and “The Wire” fame did a fantastic interview with the incomparable Bill Moyers. Some excerpts: Bill Moyers: There is a fellow in city government here in New York

Daily Dialogue — April 30, 2011

Kane: Are you lost, sweetheart? Are you ‘fraid, honey? Well then, why don’t you come with me? Carol Anne Freeling: No! Kane: Alright then! I’ll sing you a song… until your mom comes back! [sings] Kane: God is in His Holy Temple! Earthly thoughts be silent now!  — Kane

Reader Question: When can you stop tinkering with a script and finally say “done”?

From Loobs: When can you stop tinkering with a script and finally say “done”? You could pretty much rewrite something till the end of time so I’d like to know your thoughts on when you think it’s right to move on. Thanks! For a working screenwriter, this is

Spec Script Sale: “Untitled Thomas & Greenfield Project”

In a high six figure preemptive purchase, Twentieth Century Fox buys an untitled action comedy spec script from writers Nicholas Thomas and Luke Greenfield. Via Deadline: The film is an edgy action-comedy for two male stars. Thomas is repped by APA, Greenfield by CAA. By my count, this is

Spec Script Sale: “The Greys”

Dimension Films with preemptive buy of spec sci-fi thriller “The Greys” from writer Adam Cohen. For more, go here. Logline currently under wraps. Cohen is repped by Paradigm and Evolution Entertainment By my count, this is the 26th spec script to sell in 2011. The 26th spec didn’t

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 29

For years I’ve had this thought in the back of my mind about doing a little indie comedy about monks. I’ve kicked around several angles into it. Here is another one: The Benedictine monks at the Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, R.I., have a problem. They are aging

Great Characters: Dolores Claiborne (“Dolores Claiborne”)

I’ve been taking suggestions from the GITS readers in the Great Characters series. Judith Sears went above and beyond the call by not only emailing me a suggestion (Dolores Claiborne), she also provided her take on the character which I’ve included here [see below]. First some background on

Reader Question: What ways are there for a writer to market and promote him/herself?

From Liz: I hope this doesn’t seen too random. My sister and I are writing partners. We’re getting ready to attend a few events this summer, and we’d like to carry business cards with us. Since we write together, should we have just one card we give

Script magazine (May-June issue) available online — free!

Did you know you can read the new issue of Script magazine online for free? Just go here for the digital edition. Looks like a great issue with a first person article by screenwriter and TV writer Kyle Killen (The Beaver), a feature on screenwriter Max Landis who has sold

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 28

Is there a movie here: A New York City cab driver has racked up the fare of a lifetime. Mohammed Alam is being paid $5,000 to drive a pair of friends to Los Angeles. The trio left Saturday night and had reached Las Vegas by Thursday. Investment banker John

The Business of Screenwriting: Who do I have to **** to get off this project?

This may be a Hollywood urban legend. I first came across it back in the late 80s with the specific name of a screenwriter about a specific actor on a specific movie. But I’ve also seen it subsequently used with different names and projects. Even if it is not

Daily Dialogue — April 28, 2011

Ron Burgundy: Do you really want to know what love is? Brian Fantana: Yes! Tell us! Brick Tamland: More than anything in the world, Ron. Ron Burgundy: Well, it’s really quite simple. It’s kinda like…[singing] Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight / Gonna grab some afternoon

Reader Question: How to handle dialogue happening under voice-over narrative?

From Teddy Pasternak: Hi Scott, I have a writing question. How would you indicate that a person keeps talking under another person’s V.O.? They are both in the scene having a conversation. I currently have it like this in my script:  TIM: We should really look into getting