In Late, Out Early

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When Goldman wrote “get in late and leave early”, he was not talking about how you watch a bad movie. He meant screenwriters should keep scenes to what is essential to the story. No arrivals and departures, no meet & greet or chit-chat. This is one of the fundamental rules in writing a scene, one … Read more

Sex in Screenwriting (2)

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George Bernard Shaw once wrote “A pornographic novelist is one who exploits the sexual instinct as a prostitute does. A legitimate sex novel elucidates it or brings out its poetry, tragedy, or comedy.” Exactly! And how do you do that? Through characters. When I read a sex scene in a script, I’m not usually moved … Read more

Best o/t Web 25 Jul 10

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:: Wizard of Oz, a flop? Since when?
:: My project sold in Hollywood! Except it’s not my project, it’s my project’s evil twin.
:: 40 days of screenplays: Shawshank Redemption.
:: Script development: when to let the readers in.
:: You’re an agent, you want to read my script, so why won’t you again?
:: Movie dream sequences explained.
:: Michel Gondry’s favorite flicks.
:: It’s time for Chris Nolan’s victory dance.
:: Elements of act three: a great climax.
:: Film critics rejoice.

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Screenplays from Estonia

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It’s 4 AM. I am not writing. I am waiting. It’s that feeling of nervous energy contrasted with heavy eyelids on dry, malfunctioning eyes. Taste of diet coke in my mouth. Tenseness in the stomach. A cool breeze blows from the open window, but every part of my body is still sticky with sweat from … Read more

Writing Drama (8)

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Yves Lavandier’s book Writing Drama currently rates as the absolute favorite of our book reviewer Jack Brislee. To give you the opportunity to delve into Lavandier’s amazing knowledge and insight, we will be publishing a weekly excerpt from the book. Emotion The spectator is an essential partner in the dramatic process. In fact it can … Read more