Screenwriting 101

Chapter 1
What Exactly Is a Script?
A script is a document that outlines every aural, visual, behavioral, and lingual element required to tell a story. Why "outlines"? Because film is a highly collaborative medium and the director, cast, editor, and production crew will, based on your "outline", interpret your story their way when it is filmed. They may consult you, or they may not. Other writers may be brought in or you may be asked to re-write the entire thing. That's life, in the world of screenwriting. But because so many people are involved in the making of a film, a script must conform to standards that all involved parties understand and thus has a specific format or layout, margins, notation, and other conventions. This document is intended to overview the typical elements used screenplay writing.
It is crucial to remember that film is a VISUAL medium. You don't tell your audience your story, you SHOW them. You must learn to write a screenplay VISUALLY. Write what they will SEE and what they will HEAR. You might love your characters and know what they are thinking, but the discipline of screenplay writing is how to show it on a screen. When it happens, it may be just done with a look, often improvised on the movie set. So just write the pictures, sounds, and speeches, and leave the rest for the filmmakers.
What Makes Good Story?
Let's hazard a guess. The movies you loved most featured characters that swept you up, who captivated your emotions, got you involved. The audience viewing a movie not only wants to be interested in and care about the people they see on the screen, they want to be PASSIONATE about them, whether they like them or not. Great heroes and heroines inspire us; great villains make us want to jump into the screen!
There is always something at stake in a good movie. Not just something someone wants, something that must be acquired, no matter what the risk, as in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Or something highly desired by as many main characters as possible, like the small black statue in The Maltese Falcon. Some times it can be an intangible thing, like the freedom of a people in Lawrence of Arabia or Gandhi. All these things drive the character's quest, even gives the hero superhuman strength. It can be something personal (romance) or for the good of all (saving the world from aliens) but it must be powerful and grow more desperate as the story unfolds.
There are always obstacles, which provide that catchword that actors love so much -- CONFLICT. This is the heart of drama. Someone wants something and people and things keep getting in the way of them achieving the goal. At times, the obstacles can be common to both the hero and villain, and the ultimate goal a laudable one for both parties, as in Jingle All The Way. In that film, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad battle to achieve the same goal--the acquisition of the last popular action figure for sale that Christmas season. Both of them have promised their son, and they must not fail. Conflict and obstacles can be physical or emotional. But they have to be in your story or you don't really have a story. In most good stories, the protagonist will also have an inner obstacle, some mental or even spiritual problem, that will be resolved by the time s/he reaches the outward, physical goal of the story. Some people call this inner demon a "ghost," while others call in a "wound."
You need a hook. That's a songwriting term that describes that thing that catches the public's attention. A popular Hollywood term is a "high concept." A better idea might be a simple "What if?" In Galaxy Quest, for example, the concept is "What if the washed-up actors from the crew of a cancelled but still popular sci-fi TV show are pressed into a real war in space by aliens who think the TV show broadcasts they received were documentaries?" A good enough "what if?" will set your script apart from the pack. It is why people will leave the comfort of their homes and plunk down their hard-earned bucks at the local cineplex.
Hollywood buys genres. Agents, managers, and producers are drawn to and specialize in specific genres so approaching them with something they can recognize is a good idea. Successful stories have a fresh face but are identifiable. You know what makes your idea unique, but can you describe it quickly to others? Is it a fast-paced thriller, romantic comedy, action adventure?
Scripts have to look a certain way. I can't stress this point enough. You must present your work like an insider. The sheer volume of submissions makes it so that if ANYTHING about your script looks strange it's headed for the circular file. If you don't know the game they won't play. The scriptwriter has to adhere to conventions covering everything from how many pages to what font (Courier 12 pitch in the U.S.), and that's just the beginning. I recommend you follow those rules, unless you're independently wealthy and plan to finance, produce, and direct your movie. Even then, however, the people you'll need to work with will be accustomed to standard formats.

http://www.screenwriting.info/01.php

Gods Gift to Women Cold reading

A screenplay I wrote about.... 3 or more years ago is being heard in public for the 2nd time. A cold reading series called Broken Barriers for African American writers is in full swing and it sounds promising!

I have the first 10 pages sent over and ready to be read, they establish the story of Derrick and his playboy ways and even have come comedic elements. I'm excited to see what people laugh at, what they get and don't get, and how the script is received. And of course the networking! I've had this project on the backburner for some years now, it's time for it to come to the front and be made!


Gods Gift to Women Logline: Playboy Derrick Waters has it made, succes, wealth, and of course all the women he can handle. He's about to learn the lesson of his life when his playboy ways are tested by the promise of true love.

Upcoming contest deadlines

Deadline
Contest
11/3/2011
Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition

Sponsored by some of the leading names in the industry, the Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition is committed to providing winning screenwriters with the tools, guidance and opportunity to develop a great screenplay and pursue a successful career. Win a management contract and have your material considered by top Hollywood production companies. Over $15,000 cash & prizes including career consultation, development notes, screenwriting software, and exclusive memberships to the industry’s premiere websites, tracking-boards and databases.

11/15/2011
BlueCat Screenplay Competition

This year we will be offering two written analyses for each submission. Two different readers will read each script, with each reader providing written feedback.

12/1/2011
All Access Screenwriting Competition

The All Access Screenwriting Competition is geared towards getting the winning writers into the Hollywood door with unprecedented levels of industry access.

12/1/2011
Script Showcase

The Script Showcase semi-annual screenwriting competition offers writers a chance to receive valuable experience, as well as exposure, in the film industry. Winning and/or placing in our competition can help you showcase your screenplay! Screenplay entries are judged on creativity, originality and formatting. All genres are considered equal in our competition. We are simply looking for the best screenplays in our entry pool.

12/1/2011
Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition

MEET 20 HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS and Change Your Career Forever!

12/1/2011
Table Read My Screenplay

2 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS to be flown to the Sundance Film Festival to have their screenplays Table Read by professional actors.

12/20/2011
L.A. Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition

In our first three years, we were voted one of the “Top Ten Film Festivals in the U.S.” by the Brooks Institute and twice voted “25 Festivals Worth the Fee” by Moviemaker magazine. Why? Because LACS is a one of a kind experience for comedy short films and comedy scripts. It's our top priority to get you seen by the right people and make sure you have an awesome experience!

Smash Month

It's November time for my second smash month of the year. Just recently named smash month out of the blue, but basically its a time for me to become a shut in and let everything out. Concepts, pre-production work, nad most of all script writing.

During the month of November I will be either completing a new draft of a script each week, or revisiting an unfinished script and bringing it home. I'm excited about pushing myself and sticking to the tight schedule I have going.

I'm also reading for the First Glance Screenplay competition, theres alot of good new talent out there waiting to break through and reading their scripts encourages me much simply because they have the confidence to not only write and finish a screenplay, but they also have the confidence to put it out there to the world. Even when I'm writing a bad review, telling them to go back to the proverbial drawing board, I'm proud of their tenacity.

My new goal is to submit to 1 contest monthly, having the resources to do so has finally come about and who knows... perhaps I will be posting about a win soon!

My smash month plan

Revisit and complete the thriller/suspense script TWIN - the script is 70 pages in but I hit a wall. With the help of my roomate I've finally got the story rolling and can clearly see a blockbuster ending.

1ST DRAFT for the thriller CASUAL ENCOUNTER

1st DRAFT for the horror/thriller ISLAND X

1st DRAFT for the horror INSECTA

Add 100 pages to the novel ROOTED

WOW thats alot of writing. I'd better get to work.

I'm a published author!... again

The short story Jasmine, featured on this blog will be published in this years upcoming anthology

University Press of North Georgiahttp://www.upnorthgeorgia.org

The Stonepile Writers Anthology brings together area writers and artists in a collection of poetry, prose, essays, and photos.The book is available for sale at $15.00 each through the various sources listed below:

Cant wait to get my copy! Being published has given me the extra push to finish my novel Rooted.

2011 Emmy Noms

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation
30 Rock

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Louis C.K., Louie
Steve Carell, The Office
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Timothy Olyphant, Justified

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys
Barry Pepper, The Kennedys
Edgar Ramirez, Carlos
William Hurt, Too Big to Fail
Idris Elba, Luther

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Elizabeth McGovern, Grantham
Diane Lane, Cinema Verite
Taraji P. Henson, Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story
Jean Marsh, Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Chris Colfer, Glee
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
John Slattery, Mad Men
Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age
Walton Goggins, Justified
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Brian F. O’Byrne, Mildred Pierce
Tom Wilkinson, The Kennedys
Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail
James Woods, Too Big to Fail

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jane Lynch, Glee
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Margo Martindale, Justified
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce
Melissa Leo, Mildred Pierce
Mare Winningham Mildred Pierce
Maggie Smith, Violet
Eileen Atkins, Upside Down (Masterpiece)

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Idris Elba, The Big C
Zach Galifianakis, Saturday Night Live
Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live
Matt Damon, 30 Rock
Will Arnett, 30 Rock

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Robert Morse, Mad Men
Bruce Dern, Big Love
Jeremy Davies, Justified
Beau Bridges, Brothers & Sisters
Paul McCrane, Harry’s Law
Michael J. Fox, The Good Wife

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Kristin Chenoweth, Glee
Dot-Marie Jones, Glee
Gwyneth Paltrow, Glee
Cloris Leachman, Raising Hope
Elizabeth Banks, 30 Rock
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Alfre Woodard, True Blood
Randee Heller, Mad Men
Cara Buono, Mad Men
Joan Cusack, Shameless
Julia Stiles, Dexter
Mary McDonnell, The Closer
Loretta Devine, Grey’s Anatomy

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
So You Think You Can Dance (“Alice in Mia-Land Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” / “When We Dance” / “This Bitter Earth — On the Nature of Daylight”)
So You Think You Can Dance (“Mad World” / “Sundrenched World” / “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”)
So You Think You Can Dance (“Collide” / “How It Ends” / “Fix You”)
So You Think You Can Dance (“Scars” / “Fallin” / “Outta Your Mind”)
Dancing With the Stars (Jive, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” / Viennese Waltz, “Hedwig’s Theme (Theme From Harry Potter)” / Slow Waltz, “My Love”)
So You Think You Can Dance (“Oh Yeah” / “Boogie Shoes” / “I Surrender”)

OUTSTANDING HOST FOR A REALITY OR REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM
Jeff Probst, Survivor
Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance
Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race
Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol

OUTSTANDING MINISERIES OR MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
Mildred Pierce
Too Big to Fail
The Kennedys
Downtown Abbey (Masterpiece)
Cinema Verite
The Pillars of the Earth

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
The Colbert Report
Conan
Saturday Night Live
Real Time With Bill Maher
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SPECIAL
Carrie Fisher in Wishful Drinking
Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On
Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden
The Kennedy Center Honors
The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway

OUTSTANDING REALITY — COMPETITION PROGRAM
So You Think You Can Dance
The Amazing Race
Project Runway
American Idol
Dancing With the Stars
Top Chef

OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM
Hoarders
Antiques Roadshow
Deadliest Catch
MythBusters
Undercover Boss
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List

OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Modern Family
The Big C
Glee
Nurse Jackie
30 Rock

OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Boardwalk Empire
Mad Men
The Killing
The Good Wife
Game of Thrones

OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE, OR SPECIAL
Mildred Pierce
Downtown Abbey (Masterpiece)
Cinema Verite
Too Big to Fail
Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece)

OUTSTANDING COMMERCIAL
Conan (American Express)
Baby Driver (Subaru)
Questions (Old Spice Body Wash)
Polar Bear (Nissan LEAF)
Baby (McDonald’s)
Born of Fire (Chrysler 200)

OUTSTANDING COSTUMES FOR A SERIES
Boardwalk Empire
Mad Men
The Borgias
Game of Thrones
Glee

OUTSTANDING COSTUMES FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE, OR SPECIAL
Mildred Pierce
Downtown Abbey (Masterpiece)
Cinema Verite
Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Boardwalk Empire (Martin Scorsese)
Boardwalk Empire (Jeremy Podeswa)
The Borgias (Neil Jordan)
The Killing (Patty Jenkins)
Game of Thrones (Tim Van Patten)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Modern Family (Michael Alan Spiller)
Modern Family (Gail Mancuso)
Modern Family (Steve Levitan)
30 Rock (Beth McCarthy-Miller)
How I Met Your Mother (Pamela Fryman)

OUTSTANDING NONFICTION SERIES
Moguls and Movie Stars
Biography
American Masters
30 For 30
Pioneers of Television
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL MUSIC AND LYRICS
Family Guy, “Christmastime Is Killing Us”
Saturday Night Live, “I Just Had Sex”
Robert Klein: Unfair & Unbalanced, “An American Prayer – Hymn II?”
Saturday Night Live, “Justin Timberlake Monologue”
Saturday Night Live, “Jack Sparrow”
Saturday Night Live, “The Golden Rule”

OUTSTANDING MAIN TITLE DESIGN
Boardwalk Empire
Rubicon
Too Big Too Fail
Game of Thrones
Any Human Heart (Masterpiece)

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL MAIN TITLE THEME MUSIC
The Borgias
Mildred Pierce
Episodes
Any Human Heart (Masterpiece)
The Kennedys
Camelot

OUTSTANDING SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS FOR A SERIES
Boardwalk Empire
The Borgias
Stargate Universe
The Walking Dead
Game of Thrones

OUTSTANDING SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE, OR A SPECIAL
Mildred Pierce
Sherlock: A Study in Pink (Masterpiece)
The Pillars of the Earth
Gettysburg

OUTSTANDING STUNT COORDINATION
Southland
Game of Thrones
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
Hawaii Five-0

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Episodes (“Episode 107,” David Crane, Jeffrey Klarik)
The Office (“Good-Bye Michael,” Greg Daniels)
Modern Family (“Caught in the Act,” Steve Levitan, Jeffrey Richman)
Louie (“Poker/Divorce,” Louis C.K.)
30 Rock (“Reaganing,” Matt Hubbard)

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Mad Men (“The Suitcase,” Matthew Weiner)
Mad Men (“Blowing Smoke,” André Jacquemetton, Maria Jacquemetton)
The Killing (“Pilot,” Veena Sud)
Friday Night Lights (“Always,” Jason Katims)
Game of Thrones (“Baelor,” David Benioff, D.B. Weiss)

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
The Colbert Report
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Saturday Night Live
Conan
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE, OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL
Mildred Pierce (Jon Raymond, Todd Haynes)
Downtown Abbey (Masterpiece) (Julian Fellowes)
Sherlock: A Study in Pink (Masterpiece (Steven Moffat)
Too Big to Fail (Peter Gould)
Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece) (Heidi Thomas)

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SPECIAL
The Real Women of SNL
Colin Quinn: Long Story Short
64th Annual Tony Awards
Louis C.K.: Hilarious
Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit For Autism Education

OUTSTANDING ANIMATED PROGRAM
The Cleveland Show
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III
Futurama
The Simpsons
South Park

Again with the kickstarter

ONLY 17 days to get funded!!!!