Best of the Web 21 Dec

Story & Structure :: Reese Witherspoon “didn’t think there was enough sex” :: Write what you know? :: ‘The Science of Story: An Evening with Karel Segers Script Perfection :: Nice Choice :: Writers on Writers 2014 :: ‘Selma’ Screenplay Controversy Best of the Rest :: Sigh… Another (almost) act of desperation :: Good luck … Read more

How the Antagonist Affects Character Arc

We often think of the antagonist as an external obstacle to our protagonist’s forward motion. by K.M. Weiland The antagonist is usually a physical entity, something standing in the way of our protagonists’ ability to achieve their physical goals and perhaps even threatening our protagonists’ lives or their physical well-being. Consequently, it can be easy … Read more

Best of the Web 5 Oct

Story & Structure :: “Action Comes From Drama, and Drama is Conflict: What’s the Conflict?” :: Gordy Hoffman of BlueCat Talks What Makes a Story Great Script Perfection :: Expert Advice on Unpacking Your Comedic Screenwriting Toolbox :: The Art of Screenwriting :: 10 Distinctive Voices In Film :: ‘Forrest Gump’ screenwriter Eric Roth uses … Read more

Miyazaki’s Porco Rosso: The Truth About A Conflicted Hero

Film buffs may claim the greatest Japanese director who ever lived was Kurosawa. In my books the greatest – and at the time of writing, still living – Japanese filmmaker is surely Hayao Miyazaki. My absolute favourite from his oeuvre, is PORCO ROSSO. Miyazaki created the animation masterpieces MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, SPIRITED AWAY, GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES and … Read more

Writing Yourself Out of a Hole

There’s an old story I’m tweaking slightly for our purposes that goes… by Danny Manus A screenwriter is walking down the street and falls into a deep hole and can’t get out. A Director comes by and the screenwriter yells, “Hey, I’ve fallen into this hole and I can’t get out. Can you help me?” … Read more