Movies in “turnaround” I went back through all of my Business of Screenwriting posts and was surprised to see I hadn’t written anything about the practice known as “turnaround,” but with Draft Day opening in theaters across the U.S. today, I figured now is as good a time as any to
Movie Trailer: “The Angriest Man in Brooklyn” Screenplay by Daniel Taplitz, based on a film written by Assi Dayan A guy tries to determine what he will do in the final moments of his life. IMDB Release Date: 15 August 2014 (USA) Comment Archive
A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 11 This is the fifth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit to be generating story ideas. This week, I’ll give you some tips on how to come up with stories.
Great Character: Steve Zissou (“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”) This month’s theme: Wes Anderson characters. Today: Steve Zissou from the 2004 movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, written by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. For Bill Murray’s third consecutive foray into the stimulating stylized world of Wes Anderson movies, his contribution rose above a supporting cast
Daily Dialogue — April 11, 2014 SUNDANCE: Ready? BUTCH: No, we’ll jump. SUNDANCE: Like hell we will. BUTCH: No, it’ll be okay. If the water’s deep enough we don’t get squished to death. They’ll never follow us. SUNDANCE: How do you know? BUTCH: Would you make a jump like that you
May: Classic 90s Movie Month Last December, we had a series called Classic 80s Movies Month in which I invited readers to select noteworthy movies from the decade of the eighties and provide a condensed overview of it. That resulted in this: A list of links to movies you should know about. That series went
Interview: Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman (“Draft Day”) — Part 4 Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman wrote the script Draft Day which landed at the top of the 2012 Black List. Subsequently Lionsgate produced the movie starring Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner and Dennis Leary, and directed by Ivan Reitman. In March, 2013, I interviewed Rajiv and Scott while they were in
“Why producers WILL NOT READ YOUR SCRIPT” Many of you may have read this blog post already. But for those who haven’t, here you go: A producer friend at a production company recently shared this email interchange with a writer. It painfully illustrates why most producers will only accept solicited submissions or via a reputable agent.
Movie Trailer: “The Expendables 3” Screenplay by Sylvester Stallone and Creighton Rothenberger & Katrin Benedikt, story by Sylvester Stallone, characters by Dave Callaham IMDB Release Date: 15 August 2014 (USA) Comment Archive
A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 10 This is the fifth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit to be generating story ideas. This week, I’ll give you some tips on how to come up with stories.
Writing and the Creative Life: “The incurable disease of writing” “In psychological terms, it seems that drive is more important than talent in producing creative work.” This is one of the most fascinating interviews I’ve read in a long time. It’s subtitled “A neurologist considers the compulsions and frustrations of literary creativity.” The neurologist in question is Dr.
Daily Dialogue — April 10, 2014 WATURI: You better get outta here right now! I’m telling you! JOE: You’re telling me nothing. WATURI: I’m telling you! JOE: And why, I ask myself, why have I put up with you? I can’t imagine but I know. Fear. Yellow freakin’ fear. I’ve been
Reader Question: Do I continue with a 5th draft or start writing a new script? Question from Jerry: Scott, First time question asker, long time blog reader; What is your approach for rewriting scripts? Do you go from draft to draft immediately or do you take time between each draft? I ask because I’m in the middle of a 5th draft, but I have
Spec Script Sale: “The Garden at the End of the Earth” Warner Bros. acquires science fiction thriller spec script “The Garden at the End of the Earth” written by Gary Graham. From TheWrap: Story follows a reclusive engineer who attempts to save our dying planet by growing trees in what is now a post-apocalyptic wasteland. He must also protect an
Interview: Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman (“Draft Day”) — Part 3 Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman wrote the script Draft Day which landed at the top of the 2012 Black List. Subsequently Lionsgate produced the movie starring Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner and Dennis Leary, and directed by Ivan Reitman. In March, 2013, I interviewed Rajiv and Scott while they were in
Spec Script Sale: “Padre” Screen Gems acquires drama spec script “Padre” written by Mike Maples. From Deadline: A priest, trying to atone for his bloody past as a special ops soldier, witnesses the brutal murder of members from his congregation by a malevolent Sheriff and his deputies. Tortured and left for dead in the
“Refraction” by Lisa Mecham April is National Poetry Month and in a nice bit of synergy, Lisa Mecham, one of the writers who participated in the Quest Writing Workshop in Santa Monica in October 2013, just had two poems published. I’d like to feature one of them here today: Refraction Lisa Mecham I’
Movie Trailer: “Blended” Written by Ivan Menchell, Clare Sera After a bad blind date, a man and woman find themselves stuck together at a resort for families, where their attraction grows as their respective kids benefit from the burgeoning relationship. IMDB Release Date: 23 May 2014 (USA) Comment Archive
A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 9 This is the fifth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit to be generating story ideas. This week, I’ll give you some tips on how to come up with stories.
Script To Screen: “Celeste & Jesse Forever” A memorable scene from the 2012 movie Celeste & Jesse Forever, written Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. Plot Summary: A divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people. In this scene, a guy Celeste (Rashida Jones) has just met tries to hit on her. INT.
Daily Dialogue — April 9, 2014 Nurse Ratched: Aren’t you ashamed? Billy: No, I’m not. Applause from friends. Nurse Ratched: You know Billy, what worries me is how your mother is going to take this. Billy: Um, um, well, y-y-y-you d-d-d-don’t have to t-t-t-tell
New TV initiative between FOX and the Black List Today from the Black List: Fox Broadcasting Company has partnered with script site The Black List to help discover aspiring television drama writers for current and future FOX productions. The Black List will solicit scripts to be evaluated by its community of industry professionals and readers, sharing with FOX a
Interview: Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman (“Draft Day”) — Part 2 Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman wrote the script Draft Day which landed at the top of the 2012 Black List. Subsequently Lionsgate produced the movie starring Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner and Dennis Leary, and directed by Ivan Reitman. In March, 2013, I interviewed Rajiv and Scott while they were in
Michael Arndt: “Beginnings: Setting a Story Into Motion” (Part 2) I have been a big fan of screenwriter Michael Arndt ever since I read his script Little Miss Sunshine, then saw the movie. And, of course, there’s Toy Story 3 which Arndt penned. My admiration goes beyond his writing, it extends to how Arndt thinks about writing as clearly
Movie Trailer: “Godzilla” Screenplay by Max Borenstein, story by Dave Callaham The world’s most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. IMDB Release Date: 16 May 2014 (USA) Comment Archive
