Hate to coattail another blog, but they keep putting up important stuff. At The Artful Writer, Craig Mazin explains your rights to reacquire your work from a WGA signatory company if it doesn’t get made. Craig is very knowledgeable … Read the rest
Author: TW
A WRITER’S BOOKSHELF
I’m in that daze that follows completing an intense draft – excitement, concern, and feeling the natural let down. Right now, the draft is “in the drawer” for a few days to give my writing partner and me a little … Read the rest
RULES TO IGNORE: PART I
Before you get too attached to an idea for your next spec, remember you will be investing months of work into it and repeat the following:
1. Studios are not more likely to buy my script because I think it … Read the rest
WHEN TO TURN DOWN REWRITE WORK
Good discussion over at johnaugust.com right now on when to turn down rewrite work….… Read the rest
GURUS AND OTHER MIRACLES
I’m going to share with you a powerful screenwriting secret. Take notes. Here it is: You can’t learn to write screenplays in a weekend. Don’t try. Don’t get dejected when you haven’t done it. It doesn’t matter how many tips, … Read the rest
THINGS TO DO: (1) WRITE BETTER DIALOGUE
This is really part two to of the last post. It’s about “text” and “subtext”, only looked at in a very practical way. And it’s a kick in the pants to new writers. Listen, your dialogue stinks.
In my … Read the rest
TEXT VS. SUBTEXT, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH…
If staring at my pages were an Olympic event, I’d win. Right now, I’m thinking about my characters – their very conception. True, for me, the focal point of the script is the story as a whole and how it … Read the rest
IN IT FOR THE MONEY?
Everybody reads the trades – writer gets low-six against mid-six figures. Just for a dose of reality, do the math and see what it really means. Start by remembering that most spec sales are the result of a huge … Read the rest