Sunday Hot Links
A special edition of SHL as we honored Jonathan Winters yesterday.
It’s just a whole bunch of links today. Enjoy!
Robert Heinlein’s 5 rules of writing success.
This may explain why men don’t understand women.
A beautiful montage of back-to-the-camera shots in movies.
50 years after the publication of “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold,” author John le Carré reminisces about its meaning.
The absolute worst poems by celebrities.
CAA retreating in Rancho Palos Verdes.
5 upcoming book adaptations, you’ll whip your shirt off.
How to shoot a “Game of Thrones” battle scene.
THR: Where to stay and what to wear in Coachella.
Kim Jong-un’s less responsible, Disney-obsessed older brother.
10 words that will win any game of Scrabble.
The Playlist: 20 unforgettable nude scenes.
42 facts about Jackie Robinson.
Scientists want more money to research hangover cures.
10 trailers that use and abuse the Inception BRAAAMMM!
How Google wants you to plan your digital afterlife.
When “The Shield” debuted, there were 35 scripted shows on cable; now there are 143.
Twitter launching a music service this weekend.
Why half the U.S. population has a diagnosable mental disorder.
Pacman gamemaker launches Vancouver studio.
Hollywood’s Chinese Theater gets IMAX makeover.
Meet 5 people who made millions off Bitcoins.
11 totally redundant place names.
11 hit songs originally intended for other artists.
The secret origins of 11 famous video games.
11 awesome musical performances from NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman [video].
11 sandwiches named after famous people.
11 “Schoolhouse Rocks” hits.
11 rejected Canadian flag designs.
How U.S. citizens can legally travel to Cuba.
9% of you would have sex with a robot if you could.
IMDB wins lawsuit over actress age revelation.
Django Unchained pulled from China theaters.
The Internet is making you a meaner person.
25 things turning 25 this year.
Where did the phrase “dressed to the nines” come from.
5 female animators who shook up the industry.
Why we hate airlines: By the numbers.
Avatar 2 to introduce underwater motion-capture.
A jeremiad against getting a Ph.D.
10 very costly typos.
Studios turn to StumbleUpon to market films.
Rare “Star Trek” phaser sold for $231K.
The 5 most dangerous creativity killers.
A young Jon Stewart interviews George Carlin [video].
10 snack foods originally sold as medicines.
10 terms to describe the anatomy of a book.
The origin of all 30 Major League Baseball team names.
Do writers really retire.
Time travel in movies.
Night photography atop the Great Pyramid of Giza.
The coroner report: Weekend at Bernie’s.
Why comment trolls are bad for culture.
Listen to my son Will’s award-winning orchestral composition “Bright Shadows” performed by the New England Conservatory Orchestra here.
Finally Roger Ebert’s last movie review: To the Wonder.
Screenwriting Master Class tip of the week: Here is our schedule of classes and workshops into July:
April 22: Pages II (Scott Myers)
April 29: Prep (Tom Benedek)
May 6: Craft: Create a Compelling Protagonist (Scott Myers)
May 13: Craft: Writing the Low Budget Film (Tom Benedek)
May 20: Craft: Write a Worthy Nemesis (Scott Myers)
May 27: Craft: Advanced Writing Tools (Tom Benedek)
June 3: Craft: The Coen Brothers and the Craft of Storytelling (Scott Myers)
June 10: Craft: The First 10 Pages (Tom Benedek)
June 17: Prep (Scott Myers)
June 24: TV: Writing the 30 Minute Original Pilot (Tom Benedek)
July 1: Pages I (Scott Myers)
July 8: Pages II (Tom Benedek)
I will be rounding out my Craft series by introducing my newest class The Coen Brothers and the Craft of Storytelling. I will only be teaching my 8 Craft classes once in 2013, but you can access all of them at a deep discount by enrolling in the Craft Package.
Starting in July, I will be teaching the 8 Core classes covering the following screenwriting principles:
Plot = Structure
Concept = Hook
Character = Function
Style = Voice
Dialogue = Purpose
Scene = Point
Theme = Meaning
Time = Present
The Core curriculum offers a complete exploration of character-based screenwriting which I believe to be fundamental to the craft. I will only be offering the Core classes once in 2013, but you may access them all through the Core Package, also at a deep discount.
Both the Craft Package and the Core Package enable you to go through the content at your own pace, plus give you the opportunity to take any or all of the classes when they are offered.
They are a great opportunity to learn screenwriting theory (Core) and practice (Craft), and work with me directly on your stories as well as your overall development in the craft.
For more information on the Craft Package, go here.
For more information on the Core Package, go here.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Special thanks to Shaula Evans for some of this week’s links.