I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with Gary Goldstein, a billion-in-revenues producer with a unique perspective on networking in Hollywood. Like me, he was once a lawyer who wanted a more fulfilling life. He found himself in L.A. with no idea how the film biz ticked, and yet he somehow networked…
style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> I’ve pitched original TV shows. I’ve judged TV scripts in a major screenwriting competition. And I’ve been hired to write for television. Based on these experiences, here, for what they’re worth, are three thoughts on writing for TV: style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace:…
Writers often ask me how they can possibly manage to shorten their scripts when everything they’ve written seems absolutely necessary. Having read thousands of screenplays, I can assure you, there are always elements in your script you don’t need. I’ve offered some thoughts on this in the past. Here are a few more: Do you…
style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> What do I mean by recycling in screenplays? style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> I’ve seen a lot of writers do it. It’s basically any time you use material from one or more of your old scripts and try to repurpose that material…
In anticipation of Mockingjay Part 2, I recently took part in a Hunger Games marathon. Watching the first three films in a row made me realize there are many things to learn from this franchise. Here are a few of them: (Warning: There are spoilers below.) Protagonist Likeability Matters Big Time It’s hard to get…
When I read scripts, there’s a phenomenon that happens fairly often. It goes like this: The writer manages to impress me with some fresh comedy in the early pages, and I’m looking forward to more of the same. But then the writer does something that threatens to ruin the whole script. Don’t worry if you’ve done…
A few years ago my manager submitted a script of mine to Sony. After a weekend of nail-biting anticipation I finally found out that they!!!!!!! — passed. The reason, I was told, was that they have a policy of making films offering “wish fulfillment” and this particular script didn’t fit the bill. It got me thinking…
There are certain sentences you don’t want to hear in connection with your screenplay. One of them is: “He wouldn’t do that.” He wouldn’t respond to a killer that calmly. She wouldn’t head to all the way to Ohio just to follow a lead. He, she, they – wouldn’t do that. Credibility is crucial in screenwriting. Actions need…
style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> I read a lot of scripts, and I’ve noticed a trend. style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> The average writer’s dialogue is getting better than it used to be. style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> style=”mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;”> With so…
style=”text-align: center;”> style=”text-align: left;”> I don’t want you to make this mistake. It’s a biggie. > > This mistake isn’t something forgivable like taking too long to get to your inciting incident. It’s not the unsavory practice of using “ing” words in your description. It’s not even — gasp — submitting a spec with more…