Screenwriter-to-Screenwriter.com » script

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 [...]

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!

CineStory: Screenwriting Mentorship at Its Best

Monica — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:13:32 +0000

CineStory is a non-profit that provides mentorship opportunities for screenwriters. This means they have a collection of working industry professionals (agents, producers, writers) and they offer non-professional screenwriters the opportunity to workshop their screenplays and ask questions in a personalized environment.

Pam Pierce is the heart and soul behind CineStory. She started it, I believe, [...]

Q&A: All Screenwriting Competitions Are Not Created Equal

Monica — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:51:01 +0000

Jamie asks: So, I’m just starting to get familiar with the world of screenwriting competitions, and I’m assuming they’re not all created equal. Are there any drawbacks to entering more than one (several even) with the same script? It seems like some contests might require that you don’t submit your script to any other contests? Do [...]

Screenplay Openings: Most Beginnings Are Overwritten

Monica — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:13:59 +0000

This article follows up on Screenplay: The Importance of the First Five Pages.

In the last batch of scripts I read for one of the screenwriting competitions, I would say about 30% of the screenplays had beginnings that were overwritten. It’s not uncommon. In several cases, the real story didn’t start to pick up until [...]