I found a great article on a site called Script X-ray which I’m dying to share with you. However, here are the common signs of the feared block that causes not only your script, but your self to flounder. 1. You’re unable to make creative decisions If you find yourself leaning back from your computer… [Read more…]
February 26, 2010
I hope you all read the trades to be informed of the film activities occurring both in LA and the rest of the world. I stumbled across this quaint post which Variety magazine published to help readers unravel the mysteries of their language. Here we go: 30-mile zone — Within a union-defined 30-mile radius (often… [Read more…]
February 24, 2010
I never tire of hearing the Hollywood screenwriting gurus speak. They all have their individual take on storytelling and they all make good writing and storytelling sense. Le raconteur du jour is Chris Soth who teaches his mini-movie method. Most screenwriters are taught the conventional three act structure in terms of storytelling. Very briefly, the… [Read more…]
February 23, 2010
I just stumbled across this article by Gordy Hoffman from the BlueCat Screenplay Competition. There are many pearls of wisdom he shares for all screenwriters entering competitions. These comments are relevant to all competitions and I have heard readers consistently complain about a similar cluster of screenwriter faux pas. Not that any of you will… [Read more…]
February 22, 2010
I was fortunate enough to hear Laurie Hutzler speak about her character paradigm called the Emotional Toolbox. She has divided characters into nine main types depending on how they perceive the world and how they handle conflict. According to Laurie, each character falls into a diamond structure. The first point is the character’s strongest, prevalent… [Read more…]
February 20, 2010
You betcha, even if you’re a vegetarian. As long as you remember that there is no magic bullet. Connections can get you a read, meeting or even a free lunch, but ultimately you need to have an arsenal of quality commercial scripts under your belt. Write often. Write Well. Read scripts. Lots of them. Take… [Read more…]
February 12, 2010
If you’re in IT, networking means one thing, but if you’re in business it’s another. Networking is all about creating, nurturing and maintaining professional relationships. As a professional screenwriter, half your job is writing and the other half is networking. Remember that. Half your job is selling your work, half is selling yourself. You want… [Read more…]
February 11, 2010
Here is another story paradigm covered in Donna Michelle Anderson’s book. I managed to read this cover to cover while waiting for a writing seminar. It’s based on classic mythical hero structure. Basically it’s all about character. A character had a need which must be fulfilled. Character drives action which in terms explores theme. Make… [Read more…]
February 10, 2010
If you’re anything like me, you never nail that perfect script in a the first pass. A script consultant in LA who goes by the name of Pilar Alessandra (although her real name is Mary Watkins or Sally Crawford, depending on which state she’s wanted in) has suggested that a thorough rewrite takes seven passes.… [Read more…]
February 9, 2010
Okay, so I copped a bit of flack for declaring that I don’t suffer from that pervasive performance anxiety called “the block”. Well, I don’t. Some psychologists claim that creative gridlocks are the result of stress. Trying to force out a story before it’s ready, or before you’ve had enough rest. Stress is a physical… [Read more…]
Fellow screenwriters have been bugging me to do script consultations. Contact me for details via my twitter account @jgsarantinos
The next deadline for the Hollywood Outreach Program at The Scriptwriters Network is Saturday 15 September 2012. Visit www.scriptwritersnetwork.org for more details. Get studio quality coverage. Top scripts are recommended to agents, managers and production companies.
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February 27, 2010
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