Screenwriter At The Movies: Casablanca (1942)

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Last week, at my local cinema, I had the privilege of seeing a digital restoration of the classic film Casablanca. I’ve seen it a million times, but this was my first time seeing it in a theater. It was just as awesome as you’d imagine. A million authors have written about the genius of Julius … Read more

Is It Done? 7 Signs You’re Ready To Sell Your Script

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There’s no greater insecurity than the doubts that keep you from selling your creative work. Is it good? Is it great? Or is it useless? Should I show it to anyone? To whom? Is it ready to sell? I have found that as someone’s experience grows, often so does their insecurity about the state of their scripts. Many newbies are overeager to … Read more

Gold (2016) [Screenwriter At The Movies]

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screenwriter Phil Parker Matthew McConaughey Gold

Before I left for the cinema, I checked Rotten Tomatoes. They had this movie rated at 41% critics/ 51% fans. Normally, that’s a pretty good sign to avoid a film, but I’m a fan of some of those reality TV shows about gold mining, and of Matthew McConaughey, so I ignored them all and went … Read more

What Assassin’s Creed’s failure teaches us about dramatic tension

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Image of Michael Fassbender from Assassin's Creed film

Assassin’s Creed was produced on a budget of US $125 million and released around the world at the end of 2016. Over the last month, the film has only pulled in a meagre U.S. $203 million. As of this posting, the film has scored a critical rating of 17%. Assassin’s Creed seemed to have everything … Read more

Shaun Of The Dead [So, What’s The Plan?]

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I totally love Shaun Of The Dead (2004). It’s not just a great horror spoof; it’s a bloody great movie. And its clarity has much to do with it. Zombies have long formed their own, important sub-genre in movies. The genre started with White Zombie back in 1932, and it keeps going strong. Today, it seems that the undead … Read more