“Dreams on Spec” I’ve promoted this before here and here, but the film is certainly worthy of continued attention. The documentary Dreams on Spec came out in 2007. Here is some background: Featuring interviews with James L. Brooks, Nora Ephron, Carrie Fisher, and other screenwriting luminaries, DREAMS ON SPEC takes an intimate
Feature: Screenwriter Akshat Verma (“Delhi Belly”) I’ve been tracking Delhi Belly, a new comedy from India — here and here. As I understand it from all the comments helpfully provided by GITS readers who either live in India or follow Bollywood, the movie is pretty much on the cutting edge there. So when I found this
Daily Dialogue theme for next week??? We’re wrapping up a week’s worth of notable opening lines. Time for a new Daily Dialogue theme for next week. Here is our current list of suggestions: Embarrassing [(Doug)] People at a loss for words [(Doug)] Arnold quotes [The Unknown Lyricist] Signature quotes from summer movies [The Unknown
Learn how to market your script and build your career What does a producer actually do? What is a producer’s role in working with a writer while developing the script for a movie project? What are some plusses and minuses a producer looks for when reading a script as a possible film project? These are just some of the
Update: “Plot Device” Did you expect “Plot Device” to receive so much attention? The whole time, Aharon was saying it was going to be huge, and more exposure than I’ve been used to. I thought I would take a vacation after it went online, but that was totally wrong. It went online
Written Interview: Javier Grillo Marxuach (Lost, The Middleman) Today’s interview is with writer Javier Grillo Marxuach whose credits include the TV series “Lost” and “Middleman.” The interview comes from a fine writing blog called Tiny Protagonist. An excerpt: Your style of writing is definitely action-oriented, you use a lot of colloquial language in your scene description,
Gifted children and the gift of stories This post is a bit unusual for what I do on GITS, but it’s important and I would not be surprised if the issues discussed here resonate with the creative community that frequents this site. I am contributing this post to the SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the
Spec Script Sale: “A Thousand Words or Less” Fox Searchlight buys comedy spec script “A Thousand Words or Less” from writer Bert V. Royal. From Variety: Story revolves around a national essay competition that sends three ambitious teenagers into a sexy game of one-upmanship. I’ve tracked Royal since the sale of another spec script, a little
Reader Question: How to write a logline of my story? S.Kalyan Tagore asks: Hi Scott, thanks for this blog. I have a story idea for an action film. Its a one page (i dont know what to call it, — a treatment? I am not sure of how to get the logline of that story. First let’s define “logline”
Learn how to market your script and build your career As a literary manager, what are you looking for when you read a spec script? Is it necessary for a writer to choose between writing for TV or movies? What are the advantages of having a manager in addition to an agent? These are just some of the topics to
Spec Script Sale: “Second Sun” Spec Script Deal: “Second Sun” Warner Bros. acquires sci-fi spec script “Second Sun” from first-time writer Justin Rhodes. Per Hollywood Reporter: Story is an adventure set on another planet with twists. Rhodes is repped by ICM and manager Kevin Donahue. By my count, this is the 50th spec
Writing Question: On your worst days, how do you motivate yourself to write? You know what I’m talking about. You have good days as a writer. Often you can’t wait to get to your desk, engage your characters, and start writing. But then there are those other days. Those bad days. When the absolute, very last thing you want to do
Great Characters: Charlie and Donald Kaufman (“Adaptation”) With all due respect to Sunset Blvd. and Midnight in Paris, my favorite movie about screenwriters is Adaptation. Here is one of the movie’s taglines: Charlie Kaufman writes the way he lives… with great difficulty. His twin brother Donald lives the way he writes… with foolish abandon. Susan writes
Spec Script Sale: “Hellfest” CBS Films acquires horror spec script “Hellfest” from first time scribes William Penick and Chris Sey. From THR: “A Halloween night of fun turns deadly at America’s premier theme park when an actual costumed killer begins slaying unsuspecting patrons who believe it’s all part of the show.” Concept
Learn how to market your script and build your career How important is understanding production to grasping the craft of screenwriting? Is it necessary to go to film school to succeed as a screenwriter? How hard is it to transition from some other area of focus related to filmmaking into screenwriting? These are just some of the topics to be
Reader Question: Could you explain how writing credits work? A deep dive into the mysteries of screenwriting credits. From Courtney: While you’re shooting around the topic could you shed a little light on credits? From what I understand if Scott partners with Scott the credit would be listed as… Screenplay by Scott & Scott. However… if Scott was
Highlights from Spielberg DGA event, Part 1 On June 11, the Director’s Guild of America honored Steven Spielberg with a tribute and conversation with J.J. Abrams and James Cameron. You may see the nearly 2-hour video of the event here. Long time GITS follower Nate Winslow reviewed the entire video and was kind enough
The Business of Screenwriting: Movie stars I am staring at a cardboard standup display of an iconic movie character from an Academy Award winning movie, one of the most famous cinematic characters in the last three decades. The cutout figure is positioned just a few feet away from a desk. And behind the desk is the
Learn how to market your script and build your career How did they break into the business as a screenwriter? What are the most important aspects of being a professional screenwriter? How do they about choosing what projects to write? These are just some of the topics to be covered in the newest Screenwriting Master Class course: “Network Hollywood.” Query
Reader Question: How do I prepare for a meeting with a possible attachment for my script project? Adaddinsane asks: I have a script based (loosely) on the characters and ideas in the songs from an album by a big 70s-80s band. (The script is like “The Hangover” but different, certainly much more different than “The Hangover 2”.) I have a contact who is going to be
“What fuels story” If you need a visual to keep you focused on the essence of your story, here’s one: Sent to me by Jonah Ansell, CEO and Chief Storyteller at JAMS. Want. Need. Obstacle. Wound. Hard to argue with that. If you had to reduce story down to its essential elements,
Writing Question: How do you develop your writer’s instincts? This question comes from one the writers I’m working with in a current Screenwriting Master Class course: How do you develop your instincts? Of course, watch movies, read scripts, write pages. But what else? Obviously, not every writer’s unconscious instinct is going to be fine-tuned and capable
Script to Screen: “No Country For Old Men” The coin toss scene from No Country For Old Men (2007), screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, one of the most riveting moments in the movie. Setup: A vicious killer Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) escapes from the law and stops for gas. Here is the scene in the movie:
Learn how to market your script and build your career What is the difference between a manager and an agent? What are the respective responsibilities for a manager and a writer in their business relationship? What is the best way to get in front of a manager for possible representation? These are just some of the topics to be covered
Reader Question: Would a personal lawyer suffice in lieu of an entertainment lawyer? Mike asks: Scott, I know you are not a lawyer and don’t play on on TV, but…. When a producer or manager states that they will only look at material submitted by the screenwriter’s legal representation, would your personal lawyer suffice? Does he/she have to be an
