Best o/t Web 25 Sep

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Story & Structure :: Spielberg on the Indiana Jones-Tintin connection :: “Good Will Hunting” analysis :: Story structure for short films :: Character generator :: Goals Script Perfection :: Screenwriting Tips: News headlines | Dual protagonists :: What to wear to meetings & other questions :: Plausibility in storytelling :: Do try this at home :: 25 insights on becoming a better writer Best of the … Read more

Video: Michael Hauge on Pitching

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Last week we linked to Michael Hauge’s lecture on High Concept.
Known for his “Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds,” while he was in Australia, Michael also did his pitching spiel. Here’s the 21 Mins summary of the “60 Secs” lecture.

This is not about how to approach a pitch meeting, but rather what to do when you have the producer, agent etc. on the phone, at a pitchfest or in a networking situation. It’s really about those rare, super short windows of opportunity you might have with someone in power.

Here’s Michael’s first tip:

“The first thing you have to avoid in that situation
is trying to tell your story. It’s the biggest mistake most writers or filmmakers make, when pitching their project.”

With thanks to Dana Skowrnowski and Adrian Kok.

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Best o/t Web 18 Sep

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Story & Structure :: Max Landis talks about Frankenstein :: Why we’re still seduced by the romcom Script Perfection :: Screenwriting Tips: Character in high gear :: Working with directors :: Naming your baby: How to find a great title for your screenplay :: Screenwriting 101: Michael Arndt :: 11 absolute avoids in screenplays Pitching & Selling :: Pitching advice from the pros … Read more

Video: Michael Hauge on High Concept

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Earlier this year Screen Australia invited Michael Hauge again, this time to explain to local screenwriters what High Concept means.
If you’re still struggling with that concept, this video might help.

If you don’t have the time to watch the whole video – despite the thorough editing there’s a lot of silence in between the words – here is Michael Hauge’s definition in one sentence:

“A high concept is a story concept that is strong enough
that it will draw an audience without any other components.
It is not dependent on casting, name director, execution, good worth of mouth, […] it is simply the story idea alone
that will promise an emotional experience.”

Obviously the key skill is not in knowing this definition; it is in being able to find an idea that fits the definition.

With thanks to Dana Skowrnowski and Adrian Kok.

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Best o/t Web 28 Aug

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Script Perfection :: Screenwriting Tips: Raise the stakes | Writers are vultures :: Writing a flop movie like working on a losing political campaign :: No one cares about your effing film Pitching & Selling :: A history of copyright law Best of the Rest :: Cowboys & Aliens: The only politically correct face-off? :: “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies” to be … Read more