WritePeople with writer’s block don’t have a problem typing. They have a problem living with bad writing, imperfect writing, writing that might expose something that they fear.The best way to address this isn’t to wait to be...

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Narrative Tricks:1) MontagesA montage basically compresses time. That’s why it exists and that’s the only reason it should be put into any script.A character needs to learn a skill like...

This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series Narrative Tricks:I don’t like storytelling “tricks.” By that I mean voice over, fantasy sequences, flashbacks, dreams, montages, or unnecessary or arbitrary non-linear structure. Sure,...

The creative life of a screenwriter is often filled with potholes, periods of drought and decisions largely out of your control. So how can a screenwriter plan their career? Focus on the creative process more than the outcome. Visualize signing your...

James Cameron’s screenplay Avatar is an outstanding example of using many structural tools and devices successfully in one script.In addition to the overall structure of your screenplay – the three acts, the five key turning...

Resilience is an amazing skill that helps us recover quickly from difficulties. If you are resilient, you have an innate ability to keep getting up when life knocks you down. You have learned how to bounce back and keep going.We build our...

The quest for a great story involves chewing through hundreds of ideas trying to find one with that magic something. And not only do you have to find an idea, but you have to evaluate its power because the ability to tell gold from fool’s gold...

(Repost) Produced By Conference at Warner Bros. Studios to discuss the state of our industry. A comprehensive panel discussed with some senior industry executives on the future of producing film and TV shows. The panel...

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  — John 8:32“The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off.”– Gloria SteinhemWhen I was a student in film school, I joined a...

(REPOST) I figured I’d write a bit about what I learned from the most unexpected business partner I’d ever have: Stan Lee.Now, I’m not claiming that I worked closely with or was personally close to, the great Stan Lee. As CEO of...

Sarah Connor. Ethan Hunt. James Bond. There’s a deep bench of iconic characters that have helped define and exemplify action cinema for decades. Between preventing nuclear annihilation, rescuing hostages and restoring balance to the universe,...

Write something..Then improve it.Then write something else.Repeat this process until you have a post.Then post it.Then repeat this process.There’s no such thing as writer’s block. There’s simply a fear of bad writing. Do enough bad...

“Own What You Write. Stand By Your Taste.” Advice From Zach Cox, Manager At Circle Of Confusion:Zach Cox has been at Circle Of Confusion for over 12 years. He started as an intern in the Fall of 2006 and became a manager by the fall of...

Ms. Ameri is a Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney who represents independent film producers, production companies, writers, actors, and directors in a variety of transactions ranging from acquisition of intellectual property and life story...

Pitching is a delicate dance between screenwriter and executive. A mating ritual of words and story ideas. A seduction. Much of it is rehearsed, but there is a certain amount of winging it involved, especially if screenwriters need to pivot to...

"Move to Montana” is not the advice you’ll get when you tell someone you want to break into the entertainment business. Especially, if like me, you were working at one of the biggest magazines in the country owned by a parent company...

“I Want To See The Writer In The Screenplay” Montserrat Gómez On New Voices:Montserrat Gómez is a producer and Director, Scripted Programming at Array (formerly a creative exec at Invisible Ink, when this article...

Often, I get asked: What are the commonalities you’ve seen among your writers who have broken in? What are the shared traits of working screenwriters? And, even more specifically, what are the most important things that a screenwriter can do...

“Goals are dreams with deadlines” — Dina HuntJanuary is usually the time to make our writing resolutions, whether it’s committing to writing on a daily basis or finishing a certain number of scripts (or perhaps just that one...

Horror movies were traditionally saved for bulk release during the month of October. Every stripe of horror was fired from the studio cannons and executives crossed their fingers and hoped for the best. Then studio executives discovered there were...