Saturday Hot Links

Screenwriting Master Class tip of the week: The foundation of any movie is the screenplay. The foundation of any screenplay is the concept. Therefore it stands to reason which story concept you develop and write as a spec script is a critical choice. And that is precisely why I created the upcoming webinar Story Concepts That Sell: To understand how movie industry insiders think, provide you with proven methods to generate story concepts, and develop analytical skills to help you zero in on the strongest ones for you to write.

Consider this quote:

“Most aspiring screenwriters simply don’t spend enough time choosing their concept. It’s by far the most common mistake I see in spec scripts. The writer has lost the race right from the gate. Months — sometimes years — are lost trying to elevate a film idea that by its nature probably had no hope of ever becoming a movie.”

— Terry Rossio (Aladdin, The Mask of Zorro, Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl)

I’ve been approached many times to do webinars. I chose this topic for my first one precisely because it is so important. I’ve spent thousands of hours generating story concepts and studying ways to engender that process, so I have a lot of content on the subject.

My webinar Story Concepts That Sell is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2014 1:00PM PT/ 4:00PM ET.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

A take on ‘high concept’ that actually helps your creative process
The singular importance of a ‘story conceit’
How to think in terms of genres, cross genres, and sub-genres
Hollywood’s golden rule of ‘similar, but different’
Keys to brainstorming story concepts
Why recycling is more than just an eco-friendly lifestyle
Gender-bending and genre-bending
A commonsense approach on how to write loglines
The two most powerful words in the story concept process
Why you need to take into account the international market
Many more tips on coming up with story concepts that can sell

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Writers who want to write commercial movies
Writers who want to land representation with a manager and/or agent
Writers who need to understand the mindset of a Hollywood buyer
Writers who have never grasped how important story concepts are
Writers who struggle with writing loglines
Writers who want to learn how to approach the craft like a professional
Writers whose dream is to sell an original spec script
Writers who want to maximize their chances at breaking into Hollywood
Writers who are serious about succeeding as a screenwriter

HOW DOES THE WEBINAR WORK?

The webinar is broadcast over the Internet with the live audio being delivered through your computer speakers or over your telephone. The presentation is displayed directly from the Presenter’s computer onto your computer screen.

The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions being answered by the Presenter for the entire class to hear. In the event some questions are not answered during the live session, an e-mail with all questions and answers will be sent to all webinar attendees.

Participate Live or Watch Later

This webinar includes both access to the live webinar where you may interact with the presenter and the recorded, on-demand edition for your video library. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation. In all webinars, no question goes unanswered. Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. You will receive a copy of the webinar presentation in an e-mail that goes out one week after the live event. The answers to questions not covered in the live presentation will be included in this e-mail as well.

Another quote to consider:

“Ideas cost NOTHING and require ZERO risk. And yet, oddly, the LEAST amount of time’s usually spent in the idea stage before a small fortune is dumped on a whimsy that’s still half-baked… Ideas cost nothing yet have the potential to yield inexplicably long careers and happy lives.”

— Kevin Smith (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Zak and Miri Make a Porno)

Yes, ideas and story concepts are that important. Shouldn’t you learn everything you can to give yourself an edge in relation to this critical screenwriting skill set?

Logline Critique

You also have the option to submit a logline from one of your original stories which I will critique, providing feedback on it to you.

Join me for my webinar Story Concepts That Sell — 90 minutes that could transform your creative process.

Go here to learn more and sign up. Date: Monday, November 24, 2014 1:00PM PT/ 4:00PM ET.

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