I’ve decided to share extracts of an article from Script Magazine focusing on how to write dynamic superheroes in the action genre. Whether you are writing a Jesus Christ or Superman screenplay, a writer must create dynamic imagery infused with dramatic narrative and potent pop-mythology rather than cardboard cut outs in tights. Consider why “The… [Read more…]
November 28, 2010
The Toronto International Film Festival 2010 a few months back witnessed improved trade activity for low budget independent films. Have the green shoots from last year finally taken root? Time will tell. Variety magazine also reported that Catch 22 (financed by Lionsgate, Relativity Media and Voltage Pictures) will form a full service production, distribution and… [Read more…]
November 26, 2010
The majority of screenwriting courses focus on the craft, with very little focus in the business aspects of being an artist. Sure, you can read the trades to see who optioned what or which project has recently been greenlit, but there is precious little information on being a sole trader/ sole business. I recently attended… [Read more…]
November 24, 2010
When examining the inequity or discord between a character and the universe, we speak of non-duality. Non-duality is a Buddhist term used to describe the harmony, completeness and unity that exists between the two. Of course, the true journey of our main character begins when duality (call to adventure) strikes. The natural harmony and balance… [Read more…]
November 22, 2010
In traditional storytelling, the main character must be metaphorically (or literally) hurt in some way (inciting incident), forcing them to undertake a journey. Buddhists believe that pain (conflict) is a resistance of the will of a higher force (theme). An injury is defined by universal law as a condition or circumstance in which the soul… [Read more…]
November 20, 2010
Carl Jung said of religious scholars that many know of God, but did not know God. Do you face a similar dilemma really getting to know your stories and characters? I was fortunate enough to attend a seminar by Patrick Horton, at The Scriptwriters Network recently. Dr. Horton is a story coach, anthropologist and mystic,… [Read more…]
November 18, 2010
There’s a hilarious, potty-mouthed scribe out there called Manny Fonesca from Kopelson Entertainment. He spouts much wisdom with his liberal dropping of the F, S and C bombs. I think it’s called blanket or carpet bombing in military terms. Here are some of his tips to survive the Hollywood jungle: TOO MANY SENTENCE STARTERS: Do… [Read more…]
November 16, 2010
Tired of the endlessly waiting to hear back from production companies and executives, if they respond at all? Digital media is the way to go, if you want immediate gratification. A 5 to 300 second movie with a guaranteed online broadcast. And you even get paid depending on the number of views. I’ve previously discussed… [Read more…]
November 14, 2010
I recently attended a seminar by Phillipa Burgess from Creative Convergence. Here is some of what she had to say about the state of our industry and various strategies to launch your career. Despite the transitional period we are in, the screenwriting landscape is changing rapidly. The studios have morphed into increasingly corporate beasts rather… [Read more…]
November 12, 2010
Initially, screenwriters are taught to begin constructing characters on the basis of various character TRAITS, attitudes (in response to a social stimulous eg funny), ATTRIBUTES (more internalized eg outrageous) SOCIAL SKILLS (eg witty) and BEHAVIORS (eg aggressive, placid). These parameters help define character. We also define characters in our scripts in terms of dramatic function… [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.
If you like this blog, let others know!
November 30, 2010
0