The following is a very basic list of items that get my attention as a script reader. If your script addresses each of these points, you’re probably doing a good job. I will be excited to read your script. So, here we go, a list of my top 10 screenplay “dos” when reading: DO keep […]
Author Archive | Monica
The Script Reader’s Top 5 Screenplay “Do Nots”
By Monica on February 26, 2010 in Audience, Beat Sheet, Books on Screenwriting, Character, Formatting, Genre, Ideas, Location, Logical World, Process, Q&A, Screenwriting Competitions, Screenwriting Resources, Story, Subject Matter, Theme, Tone, Uncategorized
The following is a very basic list of items that do not impress me as a script reader and, more often than not, will get your script a resounding pass. If your script contains any of these points, consider rewriting before sending out. So, here we go, a list of my top 5 screenplay peeves […]
Online Screenwriting Communities?
Since I was contacted within the past couple of weeks about two new Internet screenwriting communities launching, I thought I would weigh in. So, what is the deal with online screenwriting communities? The online screenwriting community is sort of like a FaceBook for aspiring screenwriters. It’s an online virtual community where screenwriters can post their […]
Screenwriter-to-Screenwriter.com Now on FaceBook
I just started the FaceBook Fan Page for this blog. Please become a fan on FaceBook! And stay tuned for more updates. We’re almost done with the new blog design and functionality. Thanks for reading!
Example of How To Introduce Your Protagonist (Hurt Locker)
Let’s look at another great example of how to open a script – both in terms of character and also in terms of location, setting the world. I loved the opening of this script and actually loved the film as well because it paints an immediate, thrilling, chilling, palpable world for us. In this script, […]
Example of How To Introduce Your Protagonist (Erin Brockovich)
By Monica on February 24, 2010 in Character, Formatting, Location, Logical World, Screenwriting Resources, Story, Subject Matter, Theme, Tone, Uncategorized
One of my favorite scripts is “Erin Brockovich,” because I love the writing. It is abundantly clear, sparsely written, and dense with meaning. This script captures worlds of information with just a few simple, extremely well chosen words. To my mind, that is excellence in screenwriting. Please read this excerpt of the opening of the […]
Introduce Your Character to the Reader
By Monica on February 23, 2010 in Character, Genre, Screenwriting Competitions, Screenwriting Resources, Story, Subject Matter, Theme, Tone, Uncategorized
Now that we’re heading back into competition season for 2010, I am going to revisit the most important aspects of the screenplay, and in some cases I will try to link to examples of how they’re done correctly. I just read a pile of scripts and only one of the writers bothered to introduce me […]
**CALL FOR SCREENPLAY ENTRIES** 17th Annual Austin Film Festival
FYI From the Austin Film Festival: AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL IS ACCEPTING 2010 SCREENPLAY/TELEPLAY ENTRIES! WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS ONLINE! {SCREENPLAY COMPETITION} Screenplay Categories: DRAMA (Historical, Western, Drama, Family, Romance, Horror, Thriller, etc.) COMEDY (Dark, Satirical, Slapstick, yadda, yadda, yadda) There are also TWO additional categories to enter. To be considered for either the […]
Why Shutter Island Didn’t Work: Audience Expectation
By Monica on February 22, 2010 in Audience, Genre, Logical World, Story, Subject Matter, Theme, Tone, Uncategorized
Okay, okay, so it was based on a book. Let’s forget that and look at why this project didn’t work as a film. There’s an adage about screenwriting that you shouldn’t write movies about a dream within a dream within a dream and then *ta da!* oops, you only imagined what you saw this whole […]
To LA or Not to LA?
Someone emailed me recently asking if it really matters whether one is working in Los Angeles to help one break in as a screenwriter, or if that’s just a myth. I was actually genuinely surprised by this question, because that’s like asking if you want a job on the moon, if it helps to be […]
Hawking Oneself in the Golden Ambition of Writing
So, my new favorite blog is InternSpills. Who is THE INTERN? THE INTERN is the unpaid toiler on the publishing house floor, licking stamps, reading slush, and copy-editing your train-wreck of a manuscript (for free) because the “real” copyeditor is down with the genital crabs. I love The Intern because she is not unlike the […]
Ten Rules for Writing Fiction
By Monica on February 21, 2010 in Ideas, Process, Screenwriting Resources, Story, Subject Matter, Uncategorized
Inspired by Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing, The Guardian asked authors for their personal dos and don’ts. Part One of the article from The Guardian. Click here for Part Two of the article.
Jeffrey B. Palmer Interviewed on “The Sleeping Deep”
By Monica on February 19, 2010 in Screenwriting Competitions, Screenwriting Resources, Uncategorized
“The Sleeping Deep” was one of the absolute favorite scripts that I read last season. It’s well crafted, well written, fresh, imaginative, and just all-around fantastic. It’s an effects-driven, dual-reality horror set in New England. Read Jeff’s interview with the Innsmouth Free Press. Congratulations, Jeff!
Download 2008 BLACK LIST Scripts
The 2008 Black List scripts can be downloaded here.
Free Screenplay Story Notes Giveaway
Hi, just a reminder that there are only a few more weeks remaining before my Oscars competition notes giveaway! More details here: http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/?p=623 Thanks!!!