Story. Screenplay. Sale.
Get Out was initially written to be a Rosemary’s Baby type dark psychological horror, yet some people seem to call it a comedy. How can a film that fits both bills possibly be so successful? Or how does it even work at all? The film shows the descent of a young black male into the underworld of … Read more
When I saw Denis Villeneuve’s Maelstrom at a film festival in 2000, I walked out. Today, I don’t remember a thing about that film. Perhaps I should give it another chance. Sicario is one of my favourite films of 2015, and the Sicario Threshold sequence is one of the best I’ve ever seen. I’m now … Read more
Some claim the 70’s was the best decade for film. I agree. The decade of Jaws and Star Wars was also that of Chinatown, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and Alien. It was the time of the smart thrillers: political, conspiracy, spy thrillers. A director who mastered all three, was Alan J. Pakula. He … Read more
Story & Structure :: The Importance of Character Depth :: The #1 Most Important Element In Developing A Character :: Antagonists and ‘What About Bob’ :: Anatomy of a Contained Thriller :: Scene Essentials Script Perfection :: How to Write with Style by Kurt Vonnegut, the 1980 Edition :: Writer Podcast: Janine Sherman Barrois (Criminal … Read more
The Woman in Black Mercifully Short Review by Jonathan Empson Widowed and depressed lawyer Arthur (Daniel Radcliffe) is sent to a remote village to sort out the paperwork in a deceased woman’s crumbling old manor house. There, instead of supermarket coupons and catalogues full of velour comfortwear (this is vaguely Edwardian in setting) he discovers … Read more