Scott Myers

So-Called Screenwriting ‘Rules’: Part 1

Last Monday, I posted this about an occurrence that happens with irritating regularity in the online screenwriting universe: The contentious specter of so-called screenwriting ‘rules’: What happens is pretty much this: * Somebody posts something about how there is a rule against doing this or that. * That circulates as people

2016 Dialogue-Writing Challenge

For the 2nd year in a row, Go Into The Story has hosted a Dialogue-Writing Challenge. You have until tonight, February 29 at Midnight Pacific to finish! For background on the Challenge and to learn how you can win a free one-week online Craft class with me, go

On Writing

“Treat writing as a job. Be disciplined. Lots of writers get a bit OCD-ish about this. Graham Greene famously wrote 500 words a day. Jean Plaidy managed 5,000 before lunch, then spent the afternoon answering fan mail. My minimum is 1,000 words a day — which is sometimes

Daily Dialogue — February 29, 2016

“I got a hunch, fat man, I got a hunch it’s me from here on in.” — The Hustler (1961), screenplay by Sidney Carroll and Robert Rossen, novel by Walter S. Tevis The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Gambling, suggested by David Proenza. Trivia: According to editor Dede Allen,

Zero Draft Thirty Spring 2016 Challenge: 2 Days and Counting!

T minus 2 days. On March 1, the Zero Draft Thirty Spring 2016 Challenge kicks off! Write an entire first draft of a script in March — FADE IN to FADE OUT in 30… 31 days. Feature length movie screenplay. Original TV pilot. Rewrite a current project. Break a story in

Interview: Rachael Prior

One of the delights about spending time on Twitter is having met and gotten to know Rachael Prior. Whip smart and passionate about movies and storytelling, Rachael is the Head of Film at Big Talk Pictures, a U.K.-based film company overseeing movies such as Attack the Block, Cuban

Screenwriting News (February 22-February 28, 2016)

This week’s writing deals and movie project news. Tamara Faith Berger adapting thriller “American Solo” for H2O Motion Pictures and January Films. Jon Croker with OWA thriller “The Ruins” for Twentieth Century Fox. Sebastian Gutierrez rewriting “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo” for Walt Disney Pictures. Dan

2016 Dialogue-Writing Challenge

For the 2nd year in a row, Go Into The Story has hosted a Dialogue-Writing Challenge. You have until Monday, February 29 at Midnight Pacific to finish! For background on the Challenge and to learn how you can win a free one-week online Craft class with me, go

2016 Independent Film Spirit Awards for Screenwriting

The 2016 Independent Film Spirit Awards were held yesterday and there were two screenwriting presentations. The first was to Emma Donoghue for Best First Screenplay for the adaptation of her novel Room. Here is her acceptance speech: The second award was for Best Screenplay which went to Tom McCarthy and

Daily Dialogue — February 28, 2016

She slams down the glass of beer in front of him. Natalie: On the house. Leonard: Thanks. He picks up the beer and drinks. Natalie: My, you really do have a problem. Just like that cop said. Leonard: Hm? Natalie: Your condition. Leonard: Nobody’s perfect. Natalie: What’s the

Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Gambling

The Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Gambling, suggested by Davide Proenza. The Sting (1973) So many great gambling movies. Let’s see if we can come up with 7 excellent examples of movie dialogue where characters are putting everything on the line. The usual drill: * Copy/paste dialogue from

Interview (Part 6): Rachael Prior — Big Talk Productions

One of the delights about spending time on Twitter is having met and gotten to know Rachael Prior. Whip smart and passionate about movies and storytelling, Rachael is the Head of Film at Big Talk Pictures, a U.K.-based film company overseeing movies such as Attack the Block, Cuban

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 227th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other things of writerly interest. Oscars’ Real Best Picture Winner: Which Contender Delivered Biggest Bang for the Buck. Oscars: Consider the “For Your Consideration” Billboard. Oscars: How Many People Watch

2016 Dialogue-Writing Challenge: Week 4

Here are all of Week 4’s prompts for this year’s Dialogue-Writing Challenge: Day 16 challenge: Talking through tears Day 17 challenge: One character talks another character out of doing something bad Day 18 challenge: Read a note aloud Day 19 challenge: First date Day 20 challenge: Last

Interview (Written): Robert Towne

A Creative Screenwriting interview conducted in 2000 with legendary screenwriter Robert Towne (Chinatown, Shampoo, Mission: Impossible): Do you think that modern-day audiences have the willingness to believe, as much as they used to? Oh, sure they do. Audiences want to believe that as much as they ever did. They’

Daily Dialogue — February 27, 2016

Giosué Orefice: We won! Dora: Yes, we won! It’s true. Giosué Orefice: We got a thousand points and we won the game! Daddy and me came in first and now we won the real tank! We won! We won! — Life is Beautiful (1997), story by Vincenzo Cerami, Roberto Benigni

Zero Draft Thirty Spring 2016 Challenge: 3 Days and Counting!

T minus 3 days. On March 1, the Zero Draft Thirty Spring 2016 Challenge kicks off! If you don’t know about the Challenge, you can go here to find out more. Write an entire first draft of a script in November — FADE IN to FADE OUT in 30… 31

Interview (Part 5): Rachael Prior — Big Talk Productions

One of the delights about spending time on Twitter is having met and gotten to know Rachael Prior. Whip smart and passionate about movies and storytelling, Rachael is the Head of Film at Big Talk Pictures, a U.K.-based film company overseeing movies such as Attack the Block, Cuban

Twitter Rant: Eric Heisserer on the Challenge of Screenplay Adaptations

Tweetstorm: Eric Heisserer on the Challenge of Screenplay Adaptations Adapting a novel, short story, or true life story may be the hardest gig of all. Twitter can be a gold mine for writers. Case in point, when pro writers decide to go on a rant about the craft, such as

2016 Dialogue-Writing Challenge: Day 20

Last year at this time, we did a month-long Dialogue-Writing Challenge. It was a big success with dozens of writers participating. We all learned quite a bit about this important aspect of the craft plus we had some fun in the process. So I’ve decided to bring

Video: “MCU Supercut — The Road to Civil War”

The other day, screenwriter John Gary tweeted this: I watched the video. It’s really strong. Check it out: “Richly human and expressive.” Yes. Every frame of destruction counterbalanced by human faces. Characters. Beset by fears. Self-doubt. Regret. Conviction. Hope amid conflict. We live in an era where spectacle

Daily Dialogue — February 26, 2016

Forrest: You’re a momma, Jenny. Jenny: I’m a momma. His name’s Forrest. Forrest: Like me. Jenny: I named him after his daddy. Forrest: He got a daddy named Forrest, too? — Forrest Gump (1994), screenplay by Eric Roth, book by Winston Groom The Daily Dialogue theme for the

Zero Draft Thirty Spring 2016 Challenge: 3 Days and Counting!

T-minus 3 days until the beginning of the Zero Draft Thirty Spring 2016 Challenge. If you don’t know about the Challenge, you can go here to find out more. But the main thing is this: If you are writing an initial draft of a story, align your mind

Interview (Part 4): Rachael Prior — Big Talk Productions

One of the delights about spending time on Twitter is having met and gotten to know Rachael Prior. Whip smart and passionate about movies and storytelling, Rachael is the Head of Film at Big Talk Pictures, a U.K.-based film company overseeing movies such as Attack the Block, Cuban

Arash Amel on the “magic” and “moments” of writing

Screenwriter Arash Amel took to Twitter last night to remind us of something so basic to writing, we may tend to forget it: Absolutely spot on. Always come back to the joy of this simplest aspect of the craft. We do well to heed Arash’s comments. He is a