Whenever I need a copy of something, I call Hollywood Book & Poster. They have an amazing film and TV script library, as well as posters, stills, etc. If you need something and they don’t have it, they’ll get it for you. They can express mail as well.
Author Archive | Monica
CineStory Summer Camp at Idyllwild
Here is info for the CineStory screenwriting camp up at Idyllwild, just an hour and a half outside Los Angeles. CineStory is an organization that mentors writers by getting them together with producers and agents. I have participated in the CineStory experience, and it’s worth it. You will learn a TON.
The 2007 & 2008 CineStory Competition Winners Discuss…
From the CineStory site, a conversation between the 2007 and 2008 competition winners, Kevin Caruso and Nino Del Pesco. Enjoy!
Thanks for Being Patient…
Just wanted to let you all know that I’m not posting this week because I am slammed with scripts and thus won’t have time to write. That said, the more reading I’m doing, the more wonderful ideas I have for postings… so please stay tuned! And I had the brilliant idea to post some beat […]
Screenwriting Homework: Beat Sheets
Screenplay is about structure. Structure isn’t a random fascist convention designed to sabotage and infuriate would-be screenwriters: it’s a means for the reader and audience to know where we are in the journey. Structure as it relates to screenplay is a tool to help writers develop and increase the dramatic stakes of their story. Everything […]
Screenwriting Basics: Genre
One of the most sweeping and common mistakes I see in about 30% of the scripts I read is confusion of genre. And, by “genre,” I don’t mean “horror.” There are a variety of genres, and each specific genre and genre sub-set has its own conventions. By convention, I am not talking about overall structure. […]
Screenwriting Basics: Subject Matter
For me as a reader, when I am evaluating projects – and especially in evaluating another writer – subject matter is very important. Quality of writing aside, the choice of what that writer has decided to invest a year’s time (or thereabout) into can tell me a lot about that individual – and whether or […]
Screenwriting Basics: The Logical World
The logical world may seem like an obvious point, however, I read enough scripts that have major breaks within the logic of their world that this is a topic of importance that I wanted to write about. Whatever rules you establish for your world must remain consistent throughout. Sometimes, in particular with younger or new […]
Screenwriting Basics: Character and Location Intros
By Monica on May 7, 2009 in Character, Formatting, Genre, Location, Logical World, Process, Story, Uncategorized
Many scripts I read don’t bother to establish location or introduce their characters appropriately. Do not forget that when I pick up your script, I’ve never been introduced to your screenplay world before. I have no idea if your script takes place in New Orleans or Boston, in today’s world or in 2055. I have […]
Screenwriting Basics: Formatting & Proofreading
Basic Language Skills Look, the reality is that basic – and, indeed, excellent – proficiency with the English language is our trade. Knowing whether the comma goes inside or outside the quotation mark isn’t incidental to this craft. It is actually fundamental. If you got a D in your sixth grade English grammar class and […]
Story Notes: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The reality of being a screenwriter is that you’ll be getting notes from everyone on the planet and your mother about how to write your script – and ideally should smile in breezy congeniality while doing it, even if every ounce of your beingness wants to punch them in the face. The best way to […]
Screenwriting Basics: The Reader’s Perspective
By Monica on April 19, 2009 in Character, Formatting, Genre, Location, Logical World, Story, Uncategorized
So, you wrote a script. You’ve birthed the baby. You’re feeling awesome. You tell yourself repeatedly, “I rock!” – since nobody else is going to. Then you send your script out – and that rock comes hurling back toward the earth faster than you can blink. Following is a list of some things to consider […]