Un-quirkify

When I try and list the Australian movies I loved just before moving here, the ones that spring to mind are Priscilla, Love Serenade, Strictly Ballroom, The Dish and Muriel. The one thing they all have in common: they’re quirky. They’re all nineties’ comedies. Some of them worked, others didn’t. I loved them nonetheless. It … Read more

Best o/t Web 9 May 10

:: Failed screenplays: don’t be another statistic.
:: With so much action, how to balance character and plot.
:: How to pull off an unscripted documentary.
:: Make it rain- for fifty bucks!
:: It feels like everything has been done… because it has.
:: Give your villain his monologue, he needs air time too.
:: Frank Cottrell Boyce says to forget the 3-act structure- thoughts, feelings, concerns?

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Video: Truby on Sci-Fi

The other day I stumbled upon this really bad quality video with John Truby talking about writing SciFi. But I liked his simple lesson so much that I decided to start a weekly post on The Story Department with a selection of short screenwriting videos. Enjoy!

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Desire: the Primacy of Purpose

Next month, Michael Hauge and Steve Kaplan will be in Australia for two weekends of story classes. This month we run a special guest contribution by Michael Hauge plus we give Melbournians the chance to win a free ticket to the event (worth $445). I want to cover something basic – something that always sounds … Read more