Scott Myers

Writing A Script, Part 9: Rewriting

Here’s another in a series of 10 posts about how I approach writing a script. Previous posts: Part 1: Story Concept Part 2: Brainstorming Part 3: Research Part 4: Character Development Part 5: Plotting Part 6: Outline Part 7: Script Diary Part 8: First Draft PART 9: REWRITING Writing

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: Frankenweenie

We’ve had a successful relaunch of the GITS Script Reading & Analysis series. I say relaunch because we have done this type of thing before. For the next month, I will be spotlighting previous movie scripts we have studied. Today: Frankenweenie (2012) Screenplay by John August, 1984 screenplay by

Video: “Movie 2014”

In 8 1/2 minutes, Nikita Malko shows visuals from 300 of this year’s movies: For a list of all the movies featured in the video, go here. HT to Indiewire for the link.

Update: 2014 Black List Word Cloud Logline Challenge!

It’s Day 2 of the 2014 Black List Word Cloud Logline Challenge! Here is a word cloud based on the loglines for the 2014 Black List scripts, all 70 of them: For a larger PDF version of the World Cloud, go here. [You can see the entire 2014 Black

Movie Trailer: “Inside Out”

Told from the perspective of the emotions inside the mind of a little girl. IMDb Release Date: 19 June 2015

Writing Goals: 2015 [Part 4] — Practical Matters

In Part 1, we looked back at the Past, what we had accomplished as writers in 2013. In Part 2, we considered the Present, assessing where we are now. And in Part 3, we looked at the Future, visualizing where we’d like our writing to take us. When trying

Daily Dialogue — December 18, 2014

Inigo knocks on the door. MIRACLE MAX: Go away. Inigo continues knocking. A face appears through a small door on the main door. MIRACLE MAX: What, what? INIGO: Are you the Miracle Max who worked for the King all those years? MIRACLE MAX: The King’s stinking son fired me.

Writing A Script, Part 8: First Draft

Here’s another in a series of 10 posts about how I approach writing a script. Previous posts: Part 1: Story Concept Part 2: Brainstorming Part 3: Research Part 4: Character Development Part 5: Plotting Part 6: Outline Part 7: Script Diary PART 8: FIRST DRAFT Finally we get to

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: Argo

We’ve had a successful relaunch of the GITS Script Reading & Analysis series. I say relaunch because we have done this type of thing before. For the next month, I will be spotlighting previous movie scripts we have studied. Today: Argo (2012) Screenplay by Chris Terrio IMDb Plot Summary:

Video: “Living Famously” — 55 minute documentary on Alfred Hitchcock

Air date: 20 January 2003: Via The Playlist (Indiewire).

2014 Black List Word Cloud Logline Challenge!

We did this last year and had a helluva lot of fun, so following in footsteps of Hollywood’s studios, it’s sequel time! Yes, it’s the 2014 Black List Word Cloud Logline Challenge! Here is a word cloud based on the loglines for the 2014 Black List scripts,

Movie Trailer: “Hot Tub Time Machine 2”

Written by Josh Heald When Lou, who has become the “father of the Internet,” is shot by an unknown assailant, Jacob and Nick fire up the time machine again to save their friend. IMDb

Writing Goals: 2015 [Part 3] — Where Do You Want To Go As A Writer?

In Part 1, we looked back at the Past, what we had accomplished as writers in 2014. In Part 2, we considered the Present, assessing where we are now. Today we direct our self-reflection toward the Future. Not just 2015, but beyond. Five years from now. Ten years. Twenty.

Script To Screen: “Cool Hand Luke”

A key scene from the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke, screenplay by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson, novel by Donn Pearce. IMDb plot summary: A man refuses to conform to life in a rural prison. Here is a boxing scene from the movie’s script: EXT. BARRACKS CLOSE ON LUKE

Daily Dialogue — December 17, 2014

Dalton Russell: I got a question for ya’. You get it right, I give you more time. Keith Frazier: And? Dalton Russell: You know what happens if you don’t. Which weighs more: all the trains that pass through Grand Central Station in a year — or the trees cut down

Update: Award season screenplay downloads (NEW: Unbroken)

It’s that time of year again when studios make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season. As in years past, we will be tracking them and posting links as they become available. If you want to get these scripts first, come here. No one posts them faster than

Writing A Script, Part 7: Script Diary

Here’s another in a series of 10 posts about how I approach writing a script. Previous posts: Part 1: Story Concept Part 2: Brainstorming Part 3: Research Part 4: Character Development Part 5: Plotting Part 6: Outline Today, Part 7: SCRIPT DIARY The last thing I do before I

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: American Hustle

We’ve had a successful relaunch of the GITS Script Reading & Analysis series. I say relaunch because we have done this type of thing before. For the next month, I will be spotlighting previous movie scripts we have studied. Today: American Hustle (2013) Written by Eric Warren Singer, David

Interview (Video): David Seidler

Another in an excellent Creative Spark series of videos from Academy Originals, this one with David Seidler whose screenwriting credits include Tucker: The Man and His Dream and The King’s Speech, the latter for which he won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. A wonderful few minutes with Seidler

2014 Black List: Final

Yesterday morning, the 2014 Black List was released to the public. Here is the list ranked per the number of votes each script received along with loglines: Catherine the Great by Kristina Lauren Anderson (51) Sophia Augusta takes control of her life, her marriage, and her kingdom becoming Russia’s

Movie Trailer: “Tracers”

Written by Leslie Bohem, Matt Johnson, Kevin Lund, T.J. Scott Wanted by the Mafia, a new York City bike messenger escapes into the world of parkour after meeting a beautiful stranger. IMDb

Writing Goals: 2015 [Part 2] — Assessing Where You Are

This series of daily posts, starting yesterday and going through next Friday (M-F), is not about resolutions which we make on December 31 and break by January 30… or sooner. This is not about wish lists and ephemeral fantasies. This is about each of us committing ourselves to ply

Screenwriting 101: Stephen Gaghan

When I moved to Los Angeles, I wrote spec screenplays. I was really poor, and I thought I was just gonna do this for a while to make a little money so I could write novels. I thought movies were a second-class art form. I condescended to it — I

Daily Dialogue — December 16, 2014

SPADE: Alright, I’ve got another suggestion. It may not be as good as the first one, but it’s better than nothing. You want to hear it? GUTMAN: Most assuredly. SPADE: Give them Cairo. GUTMAN: (Chuckles) Well, by gad, sir… CAIRO: And suppose we give them you or Miss

Update: Award season screenplay downloads (NEW: The Gambler)

It’s that time of year again when studios make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season. As in years past, we will be tracking them and posting links as they become available. If you want to get these scripts first, come here. No one posts them faster than