Go Into The Story

Interview (Part 3): David Guggenheim (2010, 2012 Black List)

David Guggenheim broke into the business in February 2010 by selling the spec script Safe House which was produced and has grossed $208M worldwide. Since that time, Guggenheim has sold two more spec scripts: “Black Box” to Universal and “Narco Sub” to 20th Century Fox, as well as the pitch

Spec Script Sale: “Camden”

The Exchange acquires thriller spec script “Camden” written by Lucas Carter. From The Scoggins Report: When domestic terrorists take over an Ivy League campus, a young Secret Service agent must do everything he can to protect his charge: The First Daughter. The influence of ‘similar but different’ once again, this

GITS: The Twitter Conversations — Script Readers (Part 8)

Twice last year, we did a live Tweet Chat with three people you should follow: Amanda Pendolino [@amandapendo], Nate Winslow [@nate_winslow], and The Bitter Script Reader [@BittrScrptReadr]. For two weeks, I will be reprising posts I ran on the blog including the transcripts of those conversations. Read on, then

Movie Trailer: “You’re Next”

Written by Simon Barrett When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back. IMDB site Release Date: 23 August 2013 (USA)

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 3

This is the fourth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my through during this series of posts. Here’s another one: Being able to generate original story ideas sets you

Script To Screen: “High Fidelity”

The delightful 2000 comedy High Fidelity, screenplay by D.V. DeVincentis & Steve Pink & John Cusack and Scott Rosenberg, novel by Nick Hornby. Setup: Rob, a record store owner and compulsive list maker, recounts his top five breakups, including the one in progress. INT. ROB'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Daily Dialogue — April 3, 2013

DUKE: Otto? OTTO: Yeah, I’m here, man. DUKE: The lights are growing dim. I know a life of crime led me to this sorry fate. And yet… I blame society. Society made me what I am. OTTO: That’s bullshit. You’re a white suburban punk just like me.

The Quest Initiative: 48 days and counting!

It’s the return of The Quest Initiative. For background, go here and here. In brief, The Quest is an intensive 24-week online screenwriting workshop offered on a private one-on-one basis to individual writers through Screenwriting Master Class. For more information on The Quest, go here. The

Hot Topics: The Black Board

A weekly update from Shaula Evans, moderator of The Black Board: We’ve had some wide-ranging discussion at The Black Board this week so this week’s links should have something for everyone! The Two Things about Screenwriting (What are yours?) An easy trick to fix on-the-nose

Interview (Part 2): David Guggenheim (2010, 2012 Black List)

David Guggenheim broke into the business in February 2010 by selling the spec script Safe House which was produced and has grossed $208M worldwide. Since that time, Guggenheim has sold two more spec scripts: “Black Box” to Universal and “Narco Sub” to 20th Century Fox, as well as the pitch

GITS: The Twitter Conversations — Script Readers (Part 7)

Twice last year, we did a live Tweet Chat with three people you should follow: Amanda Pendolino [@amandapendo], Nate Winslow [@nate_winslow], and The Bitter Script Reader [@BittrScrptReadr]. For two weeks, I will be reprising posts I ran on the blog including the transcripts of those conversations. Read on, then

Movie Trailer: “Before Midnight”

Written by Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy & Ethan Hawke, characters by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan We meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna. IMDB site Release Date: 24 May 2013 (USA)

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 2

This is the fourth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my through during this series of posts. Here’s another one: The only way to find a great story idea

Screenwriting 101: Michael H. Webber

“I used to hate on bad movies. Now I’m amazed that any movies ever get made.” — Michael H. Webber (@thisisweber)

Daily Dialogue — April 2, 2013

Tereza: Tomas. What are you thinking? Tomas: I’m thinking about how happy I am. The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is death suggested by SandbaggerOne. Today’s suggestion by KenDosch. Trivia: Daniel Day-Lewis at first turned down the role feeling the script made him too nice. The

GITS!

Judging from site traffic, comments and emails, it looks like we have quite a few new folks who have recently joined the GITS community, so I thought since it’s the beginning of a new month and a new quarter, and it getting all spring-like outside [cue frolicking bunnies

Interview (Part 1): David Guggenheim (2010, 2012 Black List)

David Guggenheim broke into the business in February 2010 by selling the spec script Safe House which was produced and has grossed $208M worldwide. Since that time, Guggenheim has sold two more spec scripts: “Black Box” to Universal and “Narco Sub” to 20th Century Fox, as well as the pitch

GITS: The Twitter Conversations — Script Readers (Part 6)

Twice last year, we did a live Tweet Chat with three people you should follow: Amanda Pendolino [@amandapendo], Nate Winslow [@nate_winslow], and The Bitter Script Reader [@BittrScrptReadr]. For the next two weeks, I will be reprising posts I ran on the blog including the transcripts of those conversations. Read

Movie Trailer: “2 Guns”

Steven Grant (comic), Blake Masters (screenplay) A DEA agent and an undercover Naval Intelligence officer who have been tasked with investigating one another find they have been set up by the mob — the very organization the two men believe they have been stealing money from. IMDB site Release Date: 2

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 1

This is the fourth year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my through during this series of posts. For today, the most basic one: If you have aspirations of becoming a

On Writing

“No matter what you write, good or bad, it’s an improvement to a blank page.” — Chris Sparling (@chrissparling)

Daily Dialogue — April 1, 2013

“Oh.” — The Crazies (1973), screenplay by Paul McCollough and George A. Romero The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is death suggested by SandbaggerOne. Today’s suggestion by KenDosch. Trivia: The basis of the film was a script by Romero’s friend and co-worker Paul McCollough entitled ‘The Mad

Go Into The Story Week In Review: March 25-March 31, 2013

Some notable posts from this week on GITS! The Business of Screenwriting: Everything You Wanted to Know About Specs (Part 7) GITS Interview: Ashleigh Powell (2012 Black List) GITS: The Twitter Conversations — Script Readers (Part 1) GITS: The Twitter Conversations — Script Readers (Part 2) GITS: The Twitter Conversations — Script Readers

Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Death

This week’s theme — Culture Class suggested by Debbie Moon — has been an interesting choice and thanks for all your recommendations. Now it’s time to think about next week’s theme: Death suggested by SandbaggerOne: “Chess, anyone?” Obviously we could find literally thousands of examples as death permeates movies.

Interview: Ashleigh Powell (2012 Black List)

Ashleigh Powell hit it big in 2012 when she sold her dystopian thriller “Somacell” to Warner Bros, officially marking her entry into the ranks of professional screenwriter. Ashleigh Powell Here are links to the six installments of the entire interview: Part 1: “I read so many scripts and that was