Daily Dialogue theme for next week: Sales Pitch We move from this week’s theme (Job Interview) suggested by blueneumann. Next week: Sales Pitch. “Listen, I’m not here to tell you about Jesus. You already know about Jesus. He either lives in your heart or he doesn’t. Every woman wants choices, but in the end, none
2014 Cannes Film Festival Lineup: Screenwriters Once again, the press covers a film festival and notes each of the movie’s directors, but no mention of screenwriters (for example, see here). Not to diminish the directors’ contributions, however without a script… well… you know. So here is every single movie scheduled for this year’s Cannes
Interview: Elijah Bynum (2013 Black List) — Part 6 The Black List is a pretty exclusive club, especially so for those writers who manage to land two scripts on the List in a single year. That’s what Elijah Bynum did in 2013 when two of his original screenplays — “Mississippi Mud” and “Hot Summer Nights”. I sought out Elijah
Saturday Hot Links The 130th installment of Saturday Hot Links. Today: The Charlie Chaplin Turned 125 Years Old This Week Edition. Summer box office forecast: Studio-by studio breakdown. The world’s dumbest idea: Taxing solar energy. Last week, James Cameron did a Reddit AMA which you can read here. How far does
A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 19 This is the fifth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Today’s story: Bank Repossesses Wrong House, Sells Off Homeowner’s Stuff. An Ohio bank is refusing to reimburse a Vinton County woman whose house they unjustly repossessed while she was out of town. Katie
Interview (Written): Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman (“Draft Day”) An interesting interview, a journal of events with screenwriters Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman about the writing, sale and production of their movie Draft Day. An excerpt: Mid-2011: “We partied like we won the Olympics.” S: This part is going to kill a lot of screenwriters: Rajiv got approached
Daily Dialogue — April 19, 2014 Pam: Well, Brennan, you certainly have had a lot of jobs. Brennan: I’m a bit of a spark plug. And, Human Resources lady, when I think… Pam: You know, it’s… Actually, it’s Pam. Brennan: I’m sorry. Well, Pan… Pam: No, my name is Pam. Brennan: Are
Reader Question: Do you have any tips for working with feedback? Question from Alejandro: HI, Scott. My question is related to feedback, not just studio notes but all kinds of feedback — from other writers, friends. How would you recommend handling feedback? I’ve seen cases where the script gets worse, not better — because they accept every comment. And the opposite — where
Interview: Elijah Bynum (2013 Black List) — Part 5 The Black List is a pretty exclusive club, especially so for those writers who manage to land two scripts on the List in a single year. That’s what Elijah Bynum did in 2013 when two of his original screenplays — “Mississippi Mud” and “Hot Summer Nights”. I sought out Elijah
Spec Script Sale: “I’m In Love With The DJ” Sony Pictures acquires comedy spec script “I’m In Love With The DJ” written by Lauryn Kahn. From Deadline: The new deal is for an R-rated comedy is about a girl whose two best friends tag along on her work trip to Spain that quickly turns into a crazy
“Twitter has democratized the process” Did you see this? How a Middle-aged IT Guy From Peoria Tweeted His Way Into a Writing Job on Late Night With Seth Meyers Bryan Donaldson lived in central Illinois nearly his entire life. He was born in Michigan but moved to a tiny town north of Peoria when
Movie Trailer: “A Night in Old Mexico” Written by William D. Wittliff Forced to give up his land and his only home, cantankerous Texas rancher Red Bovie isn’t about to go quietly to the dismal trailer park that’s all he can now afford, and instead goes off with his grandson Gally — son of his long-
A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 18 This is the fifth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Today’s story: Mystery deaths… mystery package… mystery sender. Marge Habib waved to her brother and sister as they rode past early that Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend in 1976. Her brother’s 16-
Great Character: Sam Shakusky (“Moonrise Kingdom”) This month’s theme: Wes Anderson characters. Today: Sam Shakusky from the delightful 2012 movie Moonrise Kingdom, written by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola. Director and screenwriter Wes Anderson has created several cinematic sensations that have featured youthful protagonists seeking out the worldly guidance of older, but not always wiser
Daily Dialogue — April 18, 2014 “Why shouldn’t I work for the N.S.A.? That’s a tough one, but I’ll take a shot. Say I’m working at N.S.A. Somebody puts a code on my desk, something nobody else can break. Maybe I take a shot at it and maybe
Everything You Wanted to Know About Specs Been a lot of buzz going around social media about spec scripts recently. Thought it was time to bring back this 20 part series I did some time back. Essential reading for anyone who is writing spec scripts hoping to break into the business. In Part 1, we look at
Interview: Elijah Bynum (2013 Black List) — Part 4 The Black List is a pretty exclusive club, especially so for those writers who manage to land two scripts on the List in a single year. That’s what Elijah Bynum did in 2013 when two of his original screenplays — “Mississippi Mud” and “Hot Summer Nights”. I sought out Elijah
“Fear On Film”: Roundtable with John Carpenter, David Cronenberg and John Landis For your midday viewing pleasure: Via Indiewire. For more videos featuring these filmmakers, click More. Comment Archive
Movie Trailer: “The Drop” Dennis Lehane (screenplay), Dennis Lehane (short story “Animal Rescue”) Bob Saginowski finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighborhood’s past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living — no matter the cost.
A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 17 This is the fifth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Today: Dave Matthews fans give star a ride. Two Dave Matthews fans gave the musician a ride to his own concert after his bicycle broke down on the side of the road and he found
Writing and the Creative Life: Boundaries of Space, Boundaries of Time We all know John Cleese from his work with Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers, but he has also emerged as something of an authority on creativity. Here is an excerpt from a presentation he gave in Belgium some years ago: Here is a transcript of the main
Daily Dialogue — April 17, 2014 Miranda Priestly: So you don’t read Runway. Andy Sachs: No. Miranda Priestly: And until today you had never heard of me. Andy Sachs: No. Miranda Priestly: You have no sense of fashion… Andy Sachs: I think that depends on… Miranda Priestly: No, no, that wasn’t a question. — The
Create a Compelling Protagonist In almost every movie, the most critical character is the Protagonist. * Typically the story is told through their perspective. * Their goal usually dictates the end point of the plot. * All the other primary characters are somehow linked to the Protagonist. * Normally they go through the most significant metamorphosis. * And the
Interview: Elijah Bynum (2013 Black List) — Part 3 The Black List is a pretty exclusive club, especially so for those writers who manage to land two scripts on the List in a single year. That’s what Elijah Bynum did in 2013 when two of his original screenplays — “Mississippi Mud” and “Hot Summer Nights”. I sought out Elijah
Movies You Made: “Resignation” Last month, I ran a series called Movies You Made, comprised of 31 original films submitted to me by a diverse group of filmmakers from all over the world. You can find links to all of the movies and trailers by going here. A few filmmakers subsequently contacted me, therefore
