[Video]: The Brains Behind Birdman

video_the_storydepartment

Birdman is one of the hottest screenplays leading into this year’s Oscars frenzy. Screenwriters Alex Dinelaris and Nico Giacobone, who together make up 50% of the Birdman screenwriting team, sit down with online blogger Rishi Mathur to discuss the differences between writing theatre and film, the unique challenges presented by Birdman‘s unorthodox style, and the key to … Read more

In Memoriam: Syd Field (1935-2013)

Over the past decades, screenwriting education has developed into a multi-million dollar industry with rockstar size gurus such as Robert McKee and the late Blake Snyder. All this really started with one book, published in 1979: “Screenplay – The Foundations of Screenwriting“, written by Syd Field. Syd Field was the first true screenwriting guru and … Read more

Are You A Reader Of Screenplays Or A Watcher Of Movies?

Some respected screenwriting gurus claim that you should read and study as many screenplays as possible. It doesn’t matter if the film was a success or a flop: you learn either way. I agree. But more importantly, you should watch and analyze the movies. For years, I blindly followed this dogma, as it seemed to … Read more

Make Sure Your Movie Is A Road Movie

In my Hero’s Journey classes I explain how in great movies, any form of movement is full of meaning.  Too many writers don’t understand how to handle movement. And really, if you don’t write movement, you’re not writing a movie. by Karel Segers A chase is never just a chase. Have you noticed that the … Read more