Story and Plot Screenwriting
A weekly screenwriting lesson from a professional screenwriter of 28 years who has been teaching the subject for almost as long.
The why behind the rule is what matters.
Want to read this online? Click HERE. The why behind the rule is what matters. A screenwriting "rule" is something someone repeats when they don't fully understand the WHY behind it. Because if they did, they would know it's not a rule at all, but a tool to achieve a specific intent. The important thing for the screenwriter is to know their intent. When they do, they can make whatever choice and use whatever tool they need to accomplish it. To be honest, I have never heard anyone call...
Does each scene advance the story?
Want to read this online? Click HERE. Does each scene advance the story? I define story in my courses as "the transformational journey of a human being." A character starts the story one way, and they change over the course of the narrative. That transformation is the story itself. It can be the protagonist that transforms, or it can be a protagonist that remains steadfast to a core belief and, in doing so, changes those around them. Either way, it's all about change. Something is different...
The Idea Matters
Want to read this online? Click HERE. The Idea Matters The first screenplays I ever wrote were never going to go anywhere. And not because I was a bad writer, even though I was at the time. Those screenplays were doomed because they were bad ideas for screenplays. And if you think this only applies to my earlier work, I once sold a screenplay to Warner Bros. for six figures with an A-list actor (at the time) attached, and that wasn't going anywhere either. While it was more cinematic than my...
Our skill goes where our attention goes.
Want to read this online? Click HERE. An update on Story and Plot. I am under the weather after a week of travel and have not quite recovered. The trip, however, was worth it. I was in Boise and got to meet some people I have only known online. It was a great reminder of just how important the human connection is to all of this. We were all online creators trying to make the economics work for what we do. When I refer to myself as a creator, I am referring to this Weekly Email and what I...
How does the character solve problems?
Want to read this online? Click HERE. Hey Reader! I am in Idaho with a crew of creators, discussing how to improve our businesses. I am having fun, learning a lot, and thrilled to meet offline so many people I know only online. So far the biggest moment for me is when a speaker said, "You're a creator. You got into this business to create." A little bell went off and I realized, that's NOT why I got into this business. My creative juices are pretty well satisfied with my screenwriting. This...
Why are emerging screenwriters obsessed with format?
Want to read this online? Click HERE. Why are emerging screenwriters obsessed with format? A student sent me some coverage she received from one of the big services. I don't have any experience with their coverage, but I know and like the company and have sent people their way many times. The first line of the coverage is, "The ending had me in tears. Bravo!" Since making someone feel this strongly is the goal of storytelling, you would think this coverage was going to be high praise, right?...
Unified choices elevate the whole story.
Want to read this online? Click HERE. Unified choices elevate the whole story I have written previously about what I call my “pre-outline” phase of any project. This is the stage where I make the most crucial decisions that will affect everything else in my screenplay. From whatever my starting point, the pre-outline phase is when: I decide what story I am telling. That is, who changes and how. I decide on the dramatic question for my narrative. I identify five great scenes from the concept...
The 3-Part Act 1 and the Inciting Incident.
Want to read this online? Click HERE. The 3-Part Act 1 and the Inciting Incident. We started the Story and Plot Pro sessions last week, selling out both the Tuesday and Saturday sessions. Pro is fun for me because it gets me away from lecturing and allows me to focus more on one-on-one development from the ground up, all while building a community of screenwriters. More and more of my teaching energy (and some of my writing energy) will be going there. Members offered initial ideas this week,...
Stop trying to sell your screenplay.
Want to read this online? Click HERE. Stop trying to sell your screenplay. It was a conversation with my manager many years ago that somehow made me realize something that all similar conversations in the years before failed to do. I needed work at the time. Actual employment. My health insurance was running out, and only writing assignments count towards that. Options, bonuses, and sales don't contribute to health and pension. Now, I don't know if it was the timing, or just the way she said...
The Three Deadly Sins of the Pre-Outline Phase
Want to read this online? Click HERE. The new Story and Plot Pro Session starts next week! You're all signed up! Make sure you introduce yourself in the community. A post is great, a video is better. You can say hello here. The first week of the Pro sessions is all about the pre-outline phase, so this Weekly Email is good timing! The three deadly sins of the pre-outline phase. This week, I want to dive back into the mental battle of screenwriting, particularly the mental space before we start...
A weekly screenwriting lesson from a professional screenwriter of 28 years who has been teaching the subject for almost as long.