How to Write an Aaron Sorkin Script, by Aaron Sorkin Lots of folks tipped me off to this yesterday, a first-person article in GQ by Aaron Sorkin on how to write and “Aaron Sorkin script”. An excerpt: A song in a musical works best when a character has to sing — when words won’t do the trick anymore. The
“22 story basics from Pixar”: #14–18 By now I’m pretty sure nearly everyone has seen this list — “22 storybasics I’ve picked up in my time at Pixar” — aggregated by Emma Coats, a storyboard artist at the studio. As opposed to just printing them out, tacking them up, then forgetting about them, I thought we
Movies You Made: “Lesbian Cops: The Movie” From TheUrbanHobo: Lesbian Cops: The Movie! is an irreverent (tongue firmly in cheek) web series for those who like Super Troopers, Lethal Weapon, Bad Boys etc. I am a co-creator/writer/producer/actor in the project. Lots of talented people involved and we just added screenwriter/actress Guinevere Turner
The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 2003 Pretty much ever since I sold a spec script in 1987, I have been fascinated by them. The very idea that a writer could conceive a story concept, research, craft and write an original screenplay, then sell it to a Hollywood buyer is in and of itself a remarkable thing.
Spec Script Sale: “Draft Day” Paramount acquires comedy spec script “Draft Day” from writers Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman. From Deadline: The script revolves around the general manager of the Buffalo Bills as he spends the day of the National Football League draft frantically trying to get the number one pick for his struggling team.
Movie Trailer [Teaser]: “Monsters University” IMDB site Release Date: 21 June 2013 [U.S.] Comment Archive
Update: “The Quest” For those interested in the latest on “Go Into The Story: The Quest,” click continue. For background, go here. As of today, I have reviewed 2900 loglines out of a total of approximately 4000. I have put promising ones onto a list. Once I get through the entire set of
The Business of Screenwriting: There are three groups of people in Hollywood… There are three groups of people in Hollywood: Group 1: People who know nothing or next to nothing about story. Group 2: People who can tell you what’s wrong with a story, but don’t know how to solve its problems. Group 3: People who not only can determine
Daily Dialogue — June 21, 2012 Henchman #1: The two-bit samurai again? Henchman #2: What do you want this time? The Samurai: You guys have such cute faces. Henchman #3: What? The Samurai: You talk tough but couldn’t hurt a fly. Adorable. Henchman #1: Don’t take us for fools. See this tattoo? I
How To Read A Screenplay (Part 3): Plotline Points and Sequences I can’t remember exactly how this subject came up on the blog, but it did, and when I asked whether people would like to explore how to read and analyze a screenplay, the response was quite positive. So here we are with yet another GITS series on screenwriting. Let
Last chance to enroll in “Network Hollywood” This from Tom Benedek: ATTEND MEETINGS WITH MANAGERS, AGENTS, PRODUCERS IN HOLLYWOOD Dear Fellow Screenwriters: I want you to seriously consider a class that will deepen your understanding of the business side of your creative work. If you enroll and don’t find it interesting and satisfying, let me know
“22 story basics from Pixar”: #10–13 By now I’m pretty sure nearly everyone has seen this list — “22 storybasics I’ve picked up in my time at Pixar” — aggregated by Emma Coats, a storyboard artist at the studio. As opposed to just printing them out, tacking them up, then forgetting about them, I thought we
The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 2002 The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 2002 Pretty much ever since I sold a spec script in 1987, I have been fascinated by them. The very idea that a writer could conceive a story concept, research, craft and write an original screenplay, then sell it to a Hollywood buyer is
Movie Trailer [Red Band]: “V/H/S” Yahoo! Video PlayerEdit descriptiond.yimg.com When a group of misfits is hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for. Writers: Simon Barrett, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, David Bruckner, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez,
Wanted: graphic designers, data visualization specialists, professional screenplay readers. This from Franklin Leonard: If you’ve been following the Black List blog, Go Into The Story, or Screenwriting Tips… You Hack over the last couple of months, you know we’ve been quite busy. There’s the new Black List membership community, our Definitive Spec Sale list, and most
Script To Screen: “Leaving Las Vegas” The 1995 movie Leaving Las Vegas [screenplay by Mike Figgis, based on a novel by John O’Brien] features two key characters: Ben Sanderson (Nicholas Cage) as an alcoholic screenwriter intent on drinking himself to death and Sera (Elisabeth Shue), a prostitute who has befriended Ben, but only on the
Daily Dialogue — June 20, 2012 Gage: Mr. Zuckerberg, do I have your full attention? Mark Zuckerberg: [stares out the window] No. Gage: Do you think I deserve it? Mark Zuckerberg: [looks at Gage] What? Gage: Do you think I deserve your full attention? Mark Zuckerberg: I had to swear an oath before we began this
How To Read A Screenplay (Part 2): The Scene-By-Scene Breakdown I can’t remember exactly how this subject came up on the blog, but it did, and when I asked whether people would like to explore how to read and analyze a screenplay, the response was quite positive. So here we are with yet another GITS series on screenwriting. Let
“22 story basics from Pixar”: #5–9 By now I’m pretty sure nearly everyone has seen this list — “22 storybasics I’ve picked up in my time at Pixar” — aggregated by Emma Coats, a storyboard artist at the studio. As opposed to just printing them out, tacking them up, then forgetting about them, I thought we
The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 2001 The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 2001 Pretty much ever since I sold a spec script in 1987, I have been fascinated by them. The very idea that a writer could conceive a story concept, research, craft and write an original screenplay, then sell it to a Hollywood buyer is
Movie Trailer [New]: “The Dark Knight Rises” Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan & Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer, based on characters by Bob Kane IMDB site Release Date: 20 July 2012 [U.S.] Comment Archive
Update: “The Quest” For those interested in the latest on “Go Into The Story: The Quest,” click continue. For background, go here. As of today, I have reviewed 2700 loglines out of a total of approximately 4000. I have put promising ones onto a list. Once I get through the entire set of
Screenwriting 101: Paul Thomas Anderson “Bad movie dialogue speaks in complete sentences without any overlapping or interruption, and avoids elliptical speech, which is truer to how people actually talk.” — Paul Thomas Anderson Comment Archive
Daily Dialogue — June 19, 2012 Ron Burgundy: I don’t know how to put this but I’m kind of a big deal. Veronica Corningstone: Really. Ron Burgundy: People know me. Veronica Corningstone: Well, I’m very happy for you. Ron Burgundy: I’m very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment
How To Read A Screenplay (Part 1): The First Pass There are multiple layers to any story. The more you dig, the deeper your understanding. I can’t remember exactly how this subject came up on the blog, but it did, and when I asked whether people would like to explore how to read and analyze a screenplay, the response
