Scott Myers

Movie Trailer: “Crystal Fairy”

Written by Sebastián Silva Jamie (Cera) is a boorish, insensitive American twentysomething traveling in Chile, who somehow manages to create chaos at every turn. He and his friends are planning on taking a road trip north to experience a legendary shamanistic hallucinogen called the San Pedro cactus. In a fit

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 27: “(500) Days of Summer”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days? Because whether you are a novice just starting to learn the craft of screenwriting or someone who has been writing for many years, you should be reading scripts. There is a certain type of knowledge and understanding about screenwriting you can only get from

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything you wanted to know about specs [Part 20]

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything you wanted to know about specs Part 20: The value of a spec script… if it does sell. I’m guessing that perhaps 90% of the people who follow this blog at some point in their lives will write a spec script. And the other

Daily Dialogue — June 27, 2013

INT. TYRELL’S OFFICE — A LITTLE LATER Rachael’s eye fills the screen, the iris brilliant, shot with light, the pupil contracting. We hear Deckard’s voice and we have the impression the test has been going on for a while. DECKARD (O.S.): You are given a calfskin wallet

In memory of Kurt Brown

Last week, author, poet and good friend Kurt Brown died after a sudden illness. Every night this week at midnight Pacific, I am posting something to honor his memory including one of his poems each day. If you wish to read tonight’s reflection, hit More. In the 90s, Kurt

Do you suffer from “shiny object syndrome”?

Have you ever had this happen? You discover a great story idea. You leap into it, both barrels of your creativity blazing. Research! Brainstorming! Characters! OMG, this is so incredible, a million dollar spec script in the making! One month later: You’re still into it, but the prep work

Spec Script Sale: “Party Girl”

Nostromo Pictures acquires supernatural horror spec script “Party Girl” written by Vikram Weet. Logline: A group of high school students underestimate the power of belief when they use social media to create a new urban myth, and their story of supernatural vengeance spreads so far, so fast, that it takes

Interview: Liz W. Garcia — Part 3

Liz W. Garcia is an American television producer and writer. As a writer, her credits include “Dawson’s Creek,” “Wonderfalls” and “Cold Case”. With her husband, actor Josh Harto, she created and produced the TNT series “Memphis Beat”. Most recently Liz wrote and directed the independent feature film The Lifeguard

Spec Script Sale: “Cornered”

1821 Pictures acquires thriller spec script “Cornered” written by Richard Bobbie and Andy Fraser. Logline: Trapped in a desolate strip mall, two young women must outwit and outlast a group of desperate criminals. Sale date: May 3, 2013. Bobbie and Fraser are repped by WME and Manus Entertainment. By my

Spec Script Sale: “Tranquility Base”

Twentieth Century Fox acquires science fiction drama spec script “Tranquility Base” written by Daniel Turkewitz. Logline: When a global disaster strikes Earth, fifteen astronauts fight to secure a spot in a moon base designed to support only six. Preemptive purchase for mid-six figures. Turkewitz is repped by Energy Entertainment.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 26: “Little Miss Sunshine”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days? Because whether you are a novice just starting to learn the craft of screenwriting or someone who has been writing for many years, you should be reading scripts. There is a certain type of knowledge and understanding about screenwriting you can only get from

Movie Trailer: “Anchorman: The Legend Continues”

Screenplay by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay The continuing on-set adventures of San Diego’s top rated newsman. IMDB Release Date: 20 December 2013 (USA)

Free tickets to screenwriting event!

For any of you who will be in the vicinity of Los Angeles on Saturday, June 29th, there are eight more free tickets to this event: “Craft Your Future: Surviving and Thriving as a Screenwriter”. Sat, June 29, 2013 10:00 AM — 6:00 PM This year, we’re going

Script To Screen: “Donnie Darko”

A scene from the 2001 movie Donnie Darko, written and directed Richard Kelly. Logline: A troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes, after narrowly escaping a bizarre accident. Here is the scene: INT. ENGLISH CLASS - MORNING (8:

Daily Dialogue — June 26, 2013

Christian Szell: Is it safe?… Is it safe? Babe: You’re talking to me? Christian Szell: Is it safe? Babe: Is what safe? Christian Szell: Is it safe? Babe: I don’t know what you mean. I can’t tell you something’s safe or not, unless I know specifically

In Memory of Kurt Brown

Last week, author, poet and good friend Kurt Brown died after a sudden illness. Every night this week at midnight Pacific, I am posting something to honor his memory including one of his poems each day. If you wish to read tonight’s reflection, hit More. So there we were

Black List news!

Exciting news today about the Black List. Here is an explanation from Franklin Leonard: Just over eight months ago, the Black List launched what we hoped would be the beginning of a paradigm shift in the way screenplays are discovered by people who make movies. To mark the occasion, we

Interview: Liz W. Garcia — Part 2

Liz W. Garcia is an American television producer and writer. As a writer, her credits include “Dawson’s Creek,” “Wonderfalls” and “Cold Case”. With her husband, actor Josh Harto, she created and produced the TNT series “Memphis Beat”. Most recently Liz wrote and directed the independent feature film The Lifeguard

Hot Topics: The Black Board

A weekly update from Shaula Evans about The Black Board: The Black Board The Official Online Community of the Black List and Go Into The Story Read. Write. Review. Discuss. Succeed. Last week was a tumultuous one at The Black Board as we held our breath for the announcements of

Movie Trailer: “Drinking Buddies”

Written by Joe Swanberg Luke and Kate are co-workers at a Chicago brewery, where they spend their days drinking and flirting. They’re perfect for each other, except that they’re both in relationships. Luke is in the midst of marriage talks with his girlfriend of six years, Kate

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 25: “The Silence of the Lambs”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days? Because whether you are a novice just starting to learn the craft of screenwriting or someone who has been writing for many years, you should be reading scripts. There is a certain type of knowledge and understanding about screenwriting you can only get from

Screenwriting 101: Nikole Beckwith

“I think if you’re inviting people into a story, you should invite them into all parts of that story. I tried to inhabit each character as fully as I could.” — Nikole Beckwith [GITS interview, April 24, 2013]

Daily Dialogue — June 25, 2013

INT. LITTLE CONFERENCE ROOM — DAY Tracy is seated in a chair. JIM hovers above her, alternately leaning on a desk and pacing. JIM : I guess you know why you’re here TRACY : If it’s about the posters, I think it’s so awful. It’s a travesty. JIM : A

In Memory of Kurt Brown

Last week, author, poet and good friend Kurt Brown died after a sudden illness. Every night this week at midnight Pacific, I am posting something to honor his memory including one of his poems each day. If you wish to read tonight’s reflection, hit More. In the fall of

Pound through that first draft!

As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one rule about a first draft and it’s this: “Get the damn thing done!” Easy to say. Hard to do. That’s why Tom Benedek and I created the Pages I: The First Draft writing workshop, a structured online environment