Screenwriter-to-Screenwriter.com » screenplay

The Season of Weird, Chatty Dramedies

Monica — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:13:43 +0000

I can’t say I totally understand it but this year was definitely the reading season for the Weird, Chatty Dramedy.

I’d estimate that approximately 20% of the scripts I read this year involved an ensemble of types sitting around, chatting about various personal issues that were of absolutely no interest to me.

Many of these [...]

Dunne: The story is the journey for truth. The plot is the road it takes to get there.

Monica — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:40:31 +0000

I’ve just started reading Peter Dunne’s “Emotional Structure: Creating the Story Beneath the Plot” and it’s giving me a lot to think about.

Dunne writes in Know Your Story, Know Your Plot, Know the Difference:

When we think about great stories, about great movies, we remember first and foremost about whom the story is told. The answer [...]

The Script Reader’s Top 10 Screenplay “Dos”

Monica — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:13:21 +0000

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 your page [...]

Introduce Your Character to the Reader

Monica — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:13:52 +0000

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 to [...]

Download 2008 BLACK LIST Scripts

Monica — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:16:35 +0000

The 2008 Black List scripts can be downloaded here.

Free Screenplay Story Notes Giveaway to Oscar Picks Winner

Monica — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:13:19 +0000

I’m offering a free basic story notes package on a screenplay to any reader who can correctly predict the Oscar winners in the following categories:

1. Best Picture 2. Actor in a Leading Role 3. Actor in a Supporting Role 4. Actress in a Leading Role 5. Actress in a Supporting Role 6. Cinematography 7. Directing 8. Writing (Adapted Screenplay) 9. Writing (Original Screenplay) [...]

Another Online Screenwriting Community: Circalit.com

Monica — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:13:17 +0000

To all you enthusiasts of online screenwriting communities – here’s another one for you.

Raoul Tawadey recently emailed me about the launch of his new site, Circalit.com.

Raoul writes:

I have been working with some fellow screenwriters to setup a website called Circalit, which allows writers to upload their screenplays in a safe and secure manner, [...]

Mypdfscripts.com

Monica — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:16:22 +0000

Cool resource for downloading screenplays

http://www.mypdfscripts.com/

Check it out!

Q&A: On Screenplay Beats: Examples of Beats in Scenes

Monica — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:13:19 +0000

Dennis L. writes: I’m a screenwriting neophyte and if you could, please, give an example of a scene outline? I think I’m over-thinking what constitutes how a “beat” should read in a scene.

This comment is in reference to my article on the types of screenplay beats.

Monica says: Okay, so let’s discuss how a “beat,” or emotional [...]

Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition Now Open

Monica — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:31:47 +0000

12th Annual Scriptapalooza International Screenplay Competition Regular Deadline is March 5th

www.scriptapalooza.com

Why should you submit your script to Scriptapalooza?

-Grand Prize: $10,000 -All the reading is done by 90 production companies -Entertainment Weekly Magazine calls us ‘One of the Best’ -We promote the winners, runners-up, finalists and semifinalists for a full year -We are considered one of the best screenplay competitions by [...]