Learn how to write a screenplay through detailed analysis of feature films.
Have you ever wondered why so many horror movies are commercially successful?
From what I can see, there are some common threads across the genre that allow horror films to consistently profit — low budgets, the absence of a big A-list actor (and his/her accompanying salary demand), and the genre’s built-in audience.
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Getting your script into the hands of producers, managers, and agents is a huge stepping-stone for any writer. Shore Scripts is a UK based screenwriting competition that was set up to do just that. Shore Scripts goal is to discover new writing talent from around the world, and with their roster of talent and industry contacts, they have positioned themselves in an expert position to help kick-start your writing career.
Shore Scripts has 33 OSCAR, BAFTA, GOLDEN GLOBE, EMMY & CANNES award winning Judges on-board to read this year’s winning screenplays. These include writers of such films and shows as The Walking Dead, The Constant Gardener, The Sopranos, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, House, Sherlock, Doctor Who and countless others.
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If you’re really, really smart, you don’t go into it. This is not for really, really smart people. You gotta be dumber than that if you wanna succeed in creative expression. You gotta be a little crazy.
Richard Walter
UCLA
Associate Dean, Student Affairs; Area Head, MFA Screenwriting Program
[pullquote align=”right” color=”#e65652″ class=”” cite=”” link=””]The Force Awakens extends beyond homage. Plot-wise, Awakens and A New Hope are cloudy reflections of each other.[/pullquote]
The Force Awakens did a fantastic job paying homage to the original trilogy. I loved trying to catch all the call backs as they flew by: Luke’s saber in the snow, the Jedi mind tricks, force chokes, Death Stars, Mos Eisley’s cantina and creatures, Hoth’s icy terrain, the Millennium Falcon, X-Wings, Tie Fighters, stormtroopers, Admiral Ackbar, Solo’s costumes, even Luke’s vision/nightmare of battling Vader on Dagobah — all of these were real treats for the OT diehards. It extends beyond homage, though; Plot-wise, Awakens and A New Hope are cloudy reflections of each other. I walked out of the theater having enjoyed myself, even with all the scenarios I knew had fallen short. Only in hindsight, after my Star Wars high faded, did I realize how weak the story really was. The filmmakers expertly packaged all the nostalgia fit for generations of fans into a new car with shiny paint job, but ultimately sold us a lemon…that we will all undoubtedly pay to see again and again.
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Whether you like Max Landis or not, he’s a guy that has essentially been immersed in the industry since conception. He’s outspoken. He’s opinionated. He hurls so many damn darts that he’s guaranteed to cluster a bullseye every now and then. But please don’t mistake any of this blabber for enmity — I really like him. I love watching his enthusiasm hold pace with his ADHD. He’s a blowhard one second, the next, so humble and self-effacing that you just can’t help but hope that he writes a self-help column for failed writers; A column where he pens each and every question long after his hypomania plunges into the deepest recesses of his soul. If you aspire to write for the screen, taking note of a working screenwriter scrutinizing the current state of the industry, and his place in it, isn’t a bad idea. Seriously, Max — we need more of you. Like yesterday.
Written by Dennis McIntyre
Uncredited rewrite by David Rabe
Directed by Phil Joanou
Running time: 129 minutes
Year: 1990
Screenplay by Zak Penn
Uncredited draft by Edward Norton
Directed by Louis Leterrier
Running time: 105 minutes
Year:2008
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
~Laozi
After posting my True Romance Story Map/Beat Sheet, I received a question regarding the ending. The person asked how the movie had changed the significance of Tarantino’s original ending. Now, we’re jumping into extremely subjective waters here, as you could easily argue that there are multiple themes centered around love in both the original script and movie. Then again, the climax is generally the ultimate expression of the theme, and Tony Scott changed it. You see, in Tarantino’s world, Clarence dies in the big shootout. I’ve read drafts from March ’91 and August ’92, the latter being closest to the movie. The March ’91 draft ends with Alabama contemplating suicide after Clarence’s death. She glances at the “You’re So Cool” napkin with the gun in her mouth and ultimately decides to live. Here’s how the script reads:
Written by Quentin Tarantino
Directed by Tony Scott
Running Time: 117 minutes
Year: 1993
Poster by Matt Ryan
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