Scott Myers

Reader Question: How do I make supporting characters distinctive and interesting?

Reader Question: How do I make supporting characters and interesting? One sign of a well-written script: Strongly detailed secondary characters. Reader question via email from Joe: Hi Scott! A question about supporting characters. How do I make supporting characters that don’t necessarily have that much screen time but

Interview (Part 2): Marc Hofstatter, Indiegogo

Since the concept of crowdfunding has taken hold over the last few years, particularly in relation to movies, TV, and web content, I thought it would be a good idea to talk with Marc Hofstatter who is Head of Film at Indiegogo. Today in Part 2 of a two-part

Script Analysis: “Barney’s Version” — Part 3: Sequences

Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday: Major Plot Points Wednesday: Sequences Thursday: Psychological Journey Friday: Takeaways Today: Sequences. A

30 Things About Screenwriting: There is no right way to write

This month, a series of reflections on and basic tenets about the craft. They represent my take. If any of them resonate with you, great. If not, feel free to ignore them. Bottom line: You need to figure out your own approach to screenwriting. My hope is what you read

Walt Disney’s 1957 Business Strategy

This is pretty amazing: Walt Disney’s 1957 business strategy for the company bearing his name: What’s remarkable is how much this approach parallels Disney’s philosophy today. Swap out Disney Radio for Disney Magazine, add ancillary revenue sources such as video games and Broadway musicals, and basically what

Daily Dialogue — July 1, 2015

J.D. Sheldrake: Say, Baxter, you gave me the wrong key. C.C. Baxter: No, I didn’t. J.D. Sheldrake: But this is the key to the executive washroom. C.C. Baxter: That’s right, Mr. Sheldrake. I won’t be needing it because I’m all washed up

Another Story Idea Straight from the News

Every April for six consecutive years, I have run a monthly series called A Story Idea Each Day for a Month. It’s exactly like it sounds: I post a story idea every day for 30 days in a row. We brainstorm possible ways to take each story, then I

Interview (Part 1): Marc Hofstatter, Indiegogo

Since the concept of crowdfunding has taken hold over the last few years, particularly in relation to movies, TV, and web content, I thought it would be a good idea to talk with Marc Hofstatter who is Head of Film at Indiegogo. Today in Part 1 of a two-part

Script Analysis: “Barney’s Version” — Part 2: Major Plot Points

Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday: Major Plot Points Wednesday: Sequences Thursday: Psychological Journey Friday: Takeaways Today: Major Plot

2015 Scene-Writing Challenge: The Last Day!

Today is the final day of the 2015 Scene-Writing Challenge. For background and to learn how you can win a free one-week online Core class with me, go here. For the Week 1 writing prompts, go here. Week 2 — here. Week 3 — here. Week 4 — here. Writers who

Screenwriting 101: Tim McCanlies

“That second act, for me, is the most fun, because the first and third act have such clearly defined functions. The first act you have to set up the problem or problems, introduce all your characters — there are so many things that you’ve got to do, there just isn’

Daily Dialogue — June 30, 2015

“Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, you’re cool, and fuck you, I’m out!” — Half Baked (1998), written by Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Quitting. Today’s suggestion by David Proenza. Trivia: Neal Brennan who co-wrote this movie makes a cameo

Plot = Structure

A screenplay is a unique literary form. It both tells a story and serves as a blueprint to make a movie. As such, understanding structure is a critical component to the craft. Check out the observations of these screenwriting veterans: “The reality is that the single most important thing contributed

Script Analysis: “Barney’s View” — Part 1: Scene By Scene Breakdown

Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday: Major Plot Points Wednesday: Sequences Thursday: Psychological Journey Friday: Takeaways Today: Scene-By-

Paul Schrader’s take on “there are no rules to beak”

For years, I have argued that there are no screenwriting rules. In March 2014, I codified my thinking on the subject with a 15-part series called So-Called Screenwriting ‘Rules’. My fundamental points: If there were rules, there would be rule books, and there is no such thing. Second,

On Writing

“Mystery is the essential element of every work of art.” — Luis Bunuel

Daily Dialogue — June 29, 2015

DAVID: If Joshua tricks them into launching an attack it’ll be your fault. FALKEN: My fault? The whole point was to find a way to practice nuclear war without destroying ourselves, to get the computers to learn from mistakes we couldn’t afford to make. Except, that I never

Movie Analysis: Ex Machina

This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the movie Ex Machina, written and directed by Alex Garland. IMDb plot summary: A young programmer is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I. General Comments Plot

Screenwriting News (June 22-June 28, 2015)

Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs sell comedy spec script “Move That Body” to Sony. Joe Ballarini adapting novel “Greenglass House” for Paramount. Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver writing untitled girl’s trip project for Universal. Robin Bissell writing-directing “The Best of Enemies” for Material Pictures. Max Botkin (2010

Interview (Audio): Ray Bradbury

A recently posted ‘lost’ 1972 interview with Ray Bradbury: For a transcript, go here.

Interview (Video): Ray Bradbury

Here’s a nice find: A January 1974 interview of author and screenwriter Ray Bradbury. The video quality is quite good and the conversation between Bradbury and host James Day is excellent. For more video interviews with Bradbury, go here.

Daily Dialogue — June 28, 2015

DAWES SR: Well, do you have anything to say, Banks? BANKS: Well sir, they do say that…when there’s nothing to say, all you can say– He pulls two coins from his pocket. DAWES SR: Confound it, Banks, I said, do you have anything to say? BANKS: (Laughs) Just

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Quitting

The Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Quitting. Bridget Jones Diary (2001) How many different ways have movies managed to say, “I quit”? Let’s see if we can surface 7 great examples for this week’s series. Take part in the grand Daily Dialogue tradition — 2,500+ consecutive days

“Shane Black Confronts Your Fears”

Recently Billy Mernit has been celebrating the 10th anniversary of his wonderful screenwriting and movie blog Living the Romantic Comedy. Yesterday’s post was a gem: “Shane Black Confronts Your Fears”. I asked Billy if I could feature it and he agreed. Here are some excerpts: I had the great

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 192nd installment of Saturday Hot Links. Dino Might, Muscle Cars Push Universal To Studio-Best Year Worldwide — In June. Disney Passes $1 Billion in U.S. Grosses in Record Time. Box Office: Moviegoing Isn’t Extinct After All as Revenue Hits Record Levels. Is Hollywood Making Too