When writing a screenplay, a screenwriter must remember that she has two audiences. First, she has the reader of the screenplay. This reader may be her friend, writing coach, producer, actor, director, distributor, development exec, someone working in product placement,…
The tricky thing with a movie — because you can have a great script and a great director, and everyone’s heart can be in the right place – you still need to get massively lucky to pull it all off.…
Unleash the Power of Flashbacks in your Screenplay: Tips & Tricks You Need! Flashbacks are like a secret weapon in the writer’s armoury, helping you punctuate your screenplay with rousing moments that your audience will never forget. However, using them…
At the very beginning of the movie, we see Scottie vaulting across rooftops, struggling to keep up with the policeman ahead of him as he realizes that he is afraid of heights. He is, of course, suffering from castration anxiety.…
Vertigo Writen by Alec Coppel and Samuel TaylorBased on the novel “D’Entre Les Morts” by Pierre Boileau and Thomas NarcejacDirected by Alfred HitchcockYear: 1958Running time: 128 minutes Basic Story Map PROTAGONIST: John “Scottie” Ferguson, 50-something retired detectiveCHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: Suffers from…
I ran across this today on Open Culture. Slaughterhouse Five is one of my favorite books (I hope Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation finds its way to the screen as soon as possible). I also dug up another list from Vonnegut…
I have a new story I’m working on. I actually thought it was pretty good until I read this stupid fucking list. It comes from writer/director Emma Coats. When Ms. Coats isn’t writing and directing, she’s a storyboard artist at…
Frank Darabont has often compared The Shawshank Redemption to a Rorschach test. Written and executed with exceptional skill, it possesses a power that allows viewers to effortlessly empathize with its characters. It is, perhaps, the metaphor of imprisonment that resonates…
Gladiator Screenplay by David Franzoni and John Logan and William NicholsonStory by David FranzoniDirected by Ridley ScottRunning time: 149 minutesYear: 2000 PROTAGONIST: Maximus, 30s, former General in the Roman army turned slave / gladiatorCHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: Warrior / Distrust of politiciansEXTERNAL…
