Saturday Hot Links
Time for the 162nd installment of Saturday Hot Links.
Today: The Thanksgiving Movie Edition!
Enough of the two-part finale quadrilogy fad!
Listen to a 50-minute podcast discussing the $37B Star Wars empire [audio].
Related: Possible plot for 2016 SW spinoff movie.
5 quick things you can do today to boost your creativity.
10 films that went through hell to get made.
11 places planes can fly over in the U.S.
The short stories behind 10 famous films.
The science behind baking your ideal chocolate chip cookie.
The Rick characters of Whit Stillman’s universe.
Nothing says college like singing Journey while holding onto a goose [video].
For all you fans of “The Wire,” here’s a 2008 feature on series creator David Simon with some interesting details about the show.
Incredible 2300 year-old mosaics uncovered in Turkey.
Guardians of the Galaxy writer-director James Gunn: Shared movie universe “business model is flawed”.
Mattel apologizes for controversial Barbie book, pulls it from online stores.
19 biggest box office bombs and bummers from 2014.
6 forgotten nursery rhymes and their meanings.
TV comedy’s sad decline: “A state of emergency”.
6 scientific reasons Mondays are the worst.
Redbox to hike DVD rental fees by 25%.
11 innovative gifts for aspiring scientists.
AMA winners: The complete list.
If you’ve seen Interstellar, here is a fan-made timeline infographic.
A tree that flowers with 40 different fruits.
Where did the Wilhelm scream come from and why do so many filmmakers use it.
Why don’t woodpeckers get brain damage.
12 tips for directing your first feature film.
HBO hires 160 lawyers in anticipation of the release of its Scientology documentary.
Sorta related: HBO prepping first authorized Kurt Cobain documentary.
8 tricks to surviving the holidays without gaining weight or getting grouchy.
How should television be defined nowadays.
The best graphic novel gifts of 2014
Yahoo labs’ algorithm identifies creativity in 6-second vine videos.
Hollywood’s 5 most powerful comics writers.
36 amazing travel hacks that will make travel a breeze.
Slamdance launches micro-short film competition.
The downside of Thanksgiving grease.
9 great movies to stream this holiday weekend.
James Beard’s turkey carving manifesto from 1948.
The behind-the-scenes ‘divorce’ that changed “Modern Family”.
7 overlooked Thanksgiving rituals according to sociologists.
Steve Jobs movie picked up by Universal.
Mystery writer P.D. James dies at 94.
15 Spielberg quotes for filmmakers and storytellers.
Why do the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving.
50 groundbreaking female film artists we’re thankful for.
The best joke about religion ever.
5 reasons why web series are the future of TV.
Jennifer Lawrence’s next conquest: The music charts.
Binge on these 10 great Thanksgiving day TV episodes.
James Cameron: “Avatar sequels will make you shit yourself.”
Tales from the Butterball hotline.
What’s new on Netflix in December.
Scientists create gecko-based Spider-man gloves.
27 things you might not know about Home Alone.
How 10 classic foods made their way to America.
And here is Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch list.
1.2M Australian Christmas lights sets a record.
Check out this guide to French cinema history [infographic].
The world’s largest solar plant is now up and running.
11 big differences between The Hunger Games: Mockingbird — Part 1 book and movie.
How much are these 11 ‘Price Is Right” showcases worth today.
The great movie site Cinephilia & Beyond has aggregated YouTube links for excellent film audio commentaries.
A neurobiological inquiry into the origins of our experience of the sublime and beautiful.
BBC cutting $630M from its budget.
This judge is the reason we’re still fighting over net neutrality.
The 25 greatest movies never made.
11 tips for dealing with holiday shopping crowds.
20 awesome holiday gifts for the movie geek in your life.
“I’m thankful for all the dead people because at least they tried.”
20 things you might not have known about Jurassic Park.
10 incredible images of an underwater museum.
Watch over 4 hours of talks with writer-director Alphonso Cuarón.
Writers Wish List 2014: 20+ gifts writers will love.
Joss Whedon tells you the 5 things your script needs to have.
5 tips to take your photography to the next level.
Is TARS the best character in Interstellar.
Finally a promo with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler who will be hosting the 2015 Golden Globe Awards [video].
Screenwriting Master Class tip of the week: Two chances to work with me before we close out 2014:
December 2 — Core VIII: Time: This 1-week online screenwriting class helps writers develop a cinematic understanding of time and how to use narrative devices like flashbacks, montage, and much more.
December 10 — Four-Day Quest Writing Workshop — Santa Monica: This is an incredible value. A 4-day immersive writing workshop combined with a 16-week online platform. In the process, you learn the foundation of Character Based Screenwriting, develop your story in Prep, then pound out a first draft in Pages. There are just a couple of spots left. Give yourself (or someone you know) a truly notable holiday gift: The Quest Writing Workshop.
Some testimonials:
“I can’t think of a single book or lecture I’ve read that outdoes the Screenwriting Master Class. The teaching is clear and comprehensive. The response from classmates, inspiring, and the feedback from Scott, invaluable.” — Brianna Garber
“Of all the classes I’ve sampled around the web, NOBODY draws the crowd you do, and NOBODY gives as much useful information. It’s your infectious enthusiasm that gets us all going. I’m so grateful to be a small part of the pot you stir.” — Cyd Madsen
“I have no hesitation in recommending Scott’s classes. His character-based approach to screenwriting, combined with his generous insights and constructive criticism, have helped me create real, flawed characters that readers and audiences can identify with, and from which powerful, engaging stories spring organically.” — Simon Littlefield
“Scott is an enthusiastic and thoughtful teacher and is able to engage with students of any ability. I always come away from Scott’s classes enlightened, empowered, filled with new ideas and concepts, ready to tackle my screen writing again.” — Peter Van Schellebeck
Come join me online or in Santa Monica for two great opportunities.
As always, I look forward to the chance to work with you!