ALL ARTICLES
Why Demons and Devils Make for Superior Villains
We all know that “the devil is in the details,” but why are there so many demons in movies and on TV these days? In the past two years, there have been 26 horror movies released where the primary antagonist is some sort of supernatural...
The Screenwriter’s Guide to General Meetings
Following last week’s THIS WEEK IN COACHING: MEETING PREP! installment, I thought it wise to take a bit of a deep dive into what general meetings are, and how they work. In fact, I couldn’t quite believe I hadn’t broken...
4 Secrets To Selling Your Screenplay… And Not Your Soul!
As a four-year-old, I was impressed by seeing my parents making short 35mm films for the movie theaters, even riding a live 7 ft alligator in one of them. Those experiences caused me to have a life-long desire to conjure visual and emotional magic...
Meaning and Toy Story 4
Two days after putting the finishing touches on the new 7th Edition of The Screenwriters Bible, I viewed Toy Story 4 for the first time. I loved the film, but it was too late to add my thoughts about its contributions to the latest edition of...
Your Screenplay or TV Pilot: How Long Should it Take to Write?
Okay, I admit it, I’ve been in denial. I did not think that this blogpost would need writing. Which, let’s face it, is nothing short of stupid on my part because, well, I have this conversation ALL. THE. TIME.Even as I write this, I...
What An Audience Really Wants From Your Script
If you’re trying to write a successful script—-a script that gets produced and seen by a large number of viewers—-you obviously want your script to be loved by your audience. So if we want people to watch our work, we need to know...
Let's Talk About Specs
I hear it all the time:“I want to sell my screenplay.”“How do I sell my screenplay to studios?”“My goal is to sell a spec (or two) a year.”I hear these from writers all over the world. Writers who just finished a...
Career Success Comes to Those Who Try The Most Things
When I was 24-years-old after twelve months of working my first sales job I was hand-picked by upper-management to lead a team of experienced sales executives.I was excited about the promotion, but I was also scared. I had a severe speech impediment...
Write Worlds And Characters Actors Want To Play
I am convinced that actors with creative intelligence want to play roles that challenge, expand, and refresh their artistic instincts. They want to get involved with films that get noted for Oscar consideration. It’s the job of the...
About That Chip on Your Shoulder…
I get it. This blog post is going to piss some people off. And if the title already pissed you off, then… maybe don’t keep reading? Because this industry, if it is one thing for new writers trying to break in, it’s challenging....
6 Types Of Friends Every Screenwriter Needs
Most screenwriters owe their tenacity and determination to the people they surround themselves with. This includes all the industry folks that can either directly or indirectly get your screenplays into the write (sorry, right) hands that can...
Screenwriter Ted Campbell Goes “Underground”
As part of Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s mission to showcase screenwriters making waves in the film world, we spoke with Ted Campbell who recently set up his thriller script Underground with Film Bridge International. Acclaimed director...
Villains And Their Functions In Stories
“…But when the tragic incident occurs between those who are near or dear to one another—if, for example, a brother kills, or intends to kill, a brother… or any other deed of this kind is done—these are the...
How a Big Life Leads to Better Writing
The other night I read a script that could be simply and, without question, described as one thing and one thing only: Derivative.The first act was almost 100% a poor man’s INCEPTION, the second and third act had bothersome parallels with EDGE...
Choosing Between Agents, Managers and Lawyers
QUESTION FOR FILMTVLAW.COM:I’m an experienced showrunner with two series under my belt. I’m shopping around a third but getting shut out of all but current connects and friends. I never went the agent route, but now considering agent vs. manager...
Up Close And Personal With Guillermo Del Toro
Señor Del Toro is a very special filmmaker. The self-described traveling Mexican lives out of a suitcase from film set to film set, from life experience to life experience. He is simultaneously a Hollywood studio system misfit and Hollywood...
The Circle of Lady Parts
It has been a whirlwind of a month. Ups and downs. Lows and highs. It’s almost as if I’m doing this thing called life.
June marked my two-year anniversary of moving to Los Angeles. For those of you who do not know, I purchased a one-way...
7 Reasons Your Characters Hurt Your Script
Your characters compel you to be honest, and this creates a challenge. The actions of the characters make your story. Writers often focus on plot, structure, theme, dialogue, description, amongst many other elements, but the success of your script...
Scripted Audio Is Having Its Moment… Again
It’s said those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Well, we’re learning from the past and looking forward to repeating it.There’s a new game in town.Rather an old game. Really a ‘new old’ game....
Warner Bros. Chiefs On The Present And Future Of Film & TV
Each year, the Producers Guild Of America (PGA) hold the Produced By Conference to discuss the state of the industry with film and TV powerhouses. Good times. Bad times. Things are certainly changing fast. Screenwriters and producers...
