screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: August 2010
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Tuesday, August 24, 2010. CHARACTERS: Bringing Them to Life. Scripts with vague main characters get set down by studio or agency readers by p.10, if not sooner. Enhance your characters by giving them 4 traits. Of the 4, have 1 of them contrast with the others. Example, your main character might be ambitious, arrogant and uncaring about others. But his/her 4th trait might be that he/she is secretly afraid that his/her world is meaningless. Have a great writing day!
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: March 2011
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Saturday, March 5, 2011. MAIN CHARACTER: Failure Matters. 8220;What do you have to lose? Too few screenwriters ask this question of their main character. You can nail the dialog, render authentic characters and portray realistic events. You can imagine internal/external conflicts and take your reader through an emotional journey. But still, people will set down your script with a dismissive “that’s nice” if your character has nothing to lose. In “The Fighter̶...
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: Garbage Happens
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2010/06/garbage-happens.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Saturday, June 12, 2010. OKAY, YOU'RE STUCK. You have a scene ahead of you and you have no idea how to write it. You know your dramatic elements and what needs to be accomplished to advance the story and characters, but you keep starting over because everything you write turns to garbage. Seriously. It's garbage. I can already see your heads turning in that sideways quizzical way, the way my dog's does when he's thoroughly confused. Stay with me a sec . You think too m...
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: THE VERDICT: A Case Study in Character
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2010/09/verdict-case-study-in-character.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Monday, September 6, 2010. THE VERDICT: A Case Study in Character. An outstanding example of excellent character development can be found in THE VERDICT (1982) screenplay by David Mamet, based on the novel by Barry Reed. All of this happened before page one. Galvin sees his opportunity to stand up against the system and the “old boy network.” He can win justice and find redemption. Let’s find out:. Concannon is arrogant. His success and the trappings of his lifesty...
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: February 2011
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Sunday, February 20, 2011. THE ANTAGONIST: Even the Enemy is the Protagonist of His Own Life. He won’t fail. And even if he does, I got another dozen right behind him. I don’t know if Bourne went rogue and I don’t need to know. All I want to hear is that he’s dead before he brings this whole thing down on our heads.” - Conklin, The Bourne Identity. In great writing, the Antagonist is right. That doesn’t mean you agree with him. In The Bourne Identity. By Joss Whedon an...
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: PITCH MEETINGS - The Art of Seduction
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2010/06/pitch-meetings-art-of-seduction.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Saturday, June 26, 2010. PITCH MEETINGS - The Art of Seduction. Ever land a pitch meeting and then feel like a deer in headlights? After all, how do you reduce your story to five minutes or less? It's impossible. .Right? Well, actually .yes, you're right. But - you're going to have to do it anyway. Here is one strategy that works:. By continuing your playful seduction, they will be eager for more. Keep in mind that pitch meetings are like a chase. If you chase ...I kno...
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: CHARACTER BIOGRAPHY - Knowing the Past. Finding the Present.
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2010/07/character-biography-knowing-past.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Monday, July 5, 2010. CHARACTER BIOGRAPHY - Knowing the Past. Finding the Present. It’s Christmas. Supper is almost ready. Everyone has been waiting to open presents. But your brother John hasn’t arrived, yet. You always wait for him. It is so irritating. You get short-tempered – John has always been the favorite child. If you ever came late, there would be hell to pay. But not him. He is Mr. Perfect. Everyone is miserable. But no one says a word. Will he ever change?
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: September 2010
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Monday, September 6, 2010. THE VERDICT: A Case Study in Character. An outstanding example of excellent character development can be found in THE VERDICT (1982) screenplay by David Mamet, based on the novel by Barry Reed. All of this happened before page one. Galvin sees his opportunity to stand up against the system and the “old boy network.” He can win justice and find redemption. Let’s find out:. Concannon is arrogant. His success and the trappings of his lifesty...
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: June 2010
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Saturday, June 26, 2010. PITCH MEETINGS - The Art of Seduction. Ever land a pitch meeting and then feel like a deer in headlights? After all, how do you reduce your story to five minutes or less? It's impossible. .Right? Well, actually .yes, you're right. But - you're going to have to do it anyway. Here is one strategy that works:. By continuing your playful seduction, they will be eager for more. Keep in mind that pitch meetings are like a chase. If you chase ...I kno...
screenwriter911.blogspot.com
Screenwriter411: THE ANTAGONIST: Even the Enemy is the Protagonist of His Own Life
http://screenwriter911.blogspot.com/2011/02/antagonist-even-enemy-is-protagonist-of.html
Screenwriter and Script Consultant. Sunday, February 20, 2011. THE ANTAGONIST: Even the Enemy is the Protagonist of His Own Life. He won’t fail. And even if he does, I got another dozen right behind him. I don’t know if Bourne went rogue and I don’t need to know. All I want to hear is that he’s dead before he brings this whole thing down on our heads.” - Conklin, The Bourne Identity. In great writing, the Antagonist is right. That doesn’t mean you agree with him. In The Bourne Identity. By Joss Whedon an...
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