Writer's Digest Script magazine newsletter with details of a script-reading online class with a guaranteed reading and more:
Story analyst Joel Haber explains the
process of adaptation: How it’s done, and how practice makes perfect. If
you’re a screenwriter or novelist, Haber’s insights are a must-read. Read More...
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Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker and
podcaster Alex Ferrari about his latest indy film, This Is Meg. Read More...
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VCFA MFA in Film Assistant Director Aja
Zoecklein interviews Annie Howell and Lisa Robinson about their writing
process, character development, and more. Read More...
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What will elevate your concept above the
randomness of coincidence is how you make that situation ironic. Phil Parker
gives tips on tackling irony in your story concept long before the rewrite. Read More...
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A strong series bible is a crucial sales
tool for your series. This workshop will help you get your TV series ready
for an executive by developing your series premise, honing your pilot, and
writing your series bible.
Enroll Now...
See full list of self-paced
online courses here.
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Our webinars include both access to the live
webinar where you may interact with the presenter and the recorded, on-demand
edition for your video library. You do not have to attend the live event to
get a recording of the presentation.
See full list of upcoming
live online webinars here.
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If you missed the Napa Film Fest, Cheryl
Laughlin shares what films screenwriters and film lovers should be on the
lookout for. Plus, see why you should meet your film idols. Read More...
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Ursula K. Le Guin passed away on January 22,
2018 at the age of 88. In May 2001 2001, Writer's Digest had the honor of
speaking with Le Guin about her process, her inspiration and her impressive
body of work. Read the story here. Read More...
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When you meet a new person, one of the very
first questions asked is, “What do you do?” I used to hesitate from blurting
out, “I’m a writer” because I wasn’t receiving money to write. How can I “be”
something I’m not getting paid to do? That’s not how our society works. I’d
like you to consider another way of thinking. Read More...
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You’ve often heard the terms slug, slug
line, and mini-slug in reference to screenwriting. Understanding these terms
is paramount, so let’s explore the slug family. Read More...
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WD Editor-in-Chief Tyler Moss tracked down
director and co-producer Daniel Kontur to discuss the making of Myths &
Monsters and whether we can expect a Season 2. Read More...
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Writing conferences are an important tool
for learning, pitching, but most importantly, networking. Writer’s Digest
Annual Conference is in NYC in August, and we’ll have both screenwriting and
writing sessions. If you register before February 6th, you’ll get the best
possible price! Come and join us! Learn More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Richard Walter
Online Class Starts Feb 6-only 10 students
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A Special Offer from our Trusted Partner
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Don't miss this rare
chance to study with the Chairman of the legendary UCLA Screenwriting
Department.
Professor Richard Walter offers a rare six-week online
screenwriting seminar limited to only 10 writers. It occurs in real-time
over six Tuesday evenings
for 90 minutes each. It is modeled on the precepts and principles that lie at
the core of UCLA’S legendary Master of Fine Arts screenwriting program, which
he has chaired for 40 years.
UCLA-trained writers have written 11 pictures for Steven Spielberg; they’ve
won five best screenplay Oscar nominations in merely the past seven years and
won three Oscars.
Many enrollees re-register from time to time for what they call ‘a booster
shot.’ The webinar is appropriate for new writers and also experienced pros
seeking to sharpen their skills. Veterans of this course say it kicks butt
and makes you laugh.
The new class starting on Tuesday,
February 6 takes its enrollees from idea to draft to representation
and production in only six weeks. And, if you finish a script within a month
of the class, Professor Walter will read it.
Class begins in one week. Go
here now to learn more and register
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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What will elevate your concept above the
randomness of coincidence is how you make that situation ironic. Phil Parker
gives tips on tackling irony in your story concept long before the rewrite.
There’s still time to save hundreds of dollars with our Start Your
Screenwriting Career in 2018 bundle of products. Originally $519.88, now
only $79.99!
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By Phil Parker
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Except for poetry, screenwriting is perhaps
one of the most condensed forms of storytelling, but the irony is that most
screenwriters overwrite – and that’s ok! After all, you need to vomit all
your thoughts on to the page; purge the good and the bad out of your head and
into the world where it’s more easily organized. The real writing is in the
re-writing, right!
But what if there was a way to bring the central conflict of your story into
sharper focus from the very beginning so that your rewrites aren’t a
seemingly endless journey through a fiery maze in hell?
I believe there is a way – by focusing on creating situational irony for your
main character.
What is irony?... Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Likability alone will not make your
protagonist appealing. But, never fear. Staton Rabin shares specific
techniques you can learn for making your heroes engaging. Read More...
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Writer/Producer Bob Farkas shares his
inspiring story of living outside of Hollywood, starting screenwriting late
in life, and getting his recent film, Crazy
Famous, produced. Read More...
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Freelance writer Erik Miller takes readers
on a tour through the real-life drama of a film intern, and advocates that
such an experience is essential to the screenwriter’s complete understanding
of the craft. Previously published in Script magazine. Read More...
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Barri Evins vanquishes logline fears with
the secrets to crafting loglines that stand up to industry scrutiny and
entices people to read your story. Read More...
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At the conclusion of this course you will
have gone through the process of developing psychological backstories for
your protagonist and supporting characters. You will also have created an
environment in which your characters come to life as their personalities
either mesh with their environment or thrive in spite of it. Enroll Now...
See full list of self-paced
online courses here.
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Our webinars include both access to the live
webinar where you may interact with the presenter and the recorded, on-demand
edition for your video library. You do not have to attend the live event to
get a recording of the presentation.
See full list of upcoming
live online webinars here.
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Learn the timing and importance of writing a
good fight scene and how it can instantly elevate your screenplay. Read More...
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Brad Johnson looks at the unreliable
narrator in film, and how Fight Club is a perfect example of how to use this
tool in your own screenplays. Read More...
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Script reader Ray Morton explains the most
common problem in spec scripts is a lack of proper dramatic narrative
structure. Learn how to build a better drama. Read More...
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Find the 5 deal breakers for your
characters, and you'll have no problem creating compelling characters for
your screenplay.
Read More...
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TV writer Ross Brown (The Cosby Show) shares
10 must-know tips on how to write a TV spec script to get you noticed by an
agent or showrunner.
Read More...
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Understanding the external and the internal
part of the desire, you create an action plan in steps that will lead you to
your desired outcome. Jen Grisanti explains how it all comes down to defining
want. Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Screenwriting
critique services through Writer's Digest Shop
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You only get one
chance to make a strong and lasting first impression. ScriptXpert Services
provide screenwriters honest, positive and constructive feedback for
screenplays and TV scripts. With the Coverage and Developmental Notes
Services, our team of professional readers will ensure your project is ready
for the Industry's eyes.
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Standard Coverage includes a one-page graded score sheet
that evaluates the major elements of your screenplay on a scale of
Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor.
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Standard Coverage plus Development Notes, which is an
extensive report with detailed information on concept, structure, pacing,
dialogue and more work.
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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In this week's screenwriting tip, Barri
Evins vanquishes logline fears with the secrets to crafting loglines that
stand up to industry scrutiny and entices people to read your story.
Don't miss Mylo Carbia’s webinar, The Art of Writing
the Twist Ending, on Thursday, January 25th at 1:00PM PT. Don’t worry if
you can’t make the live event. As long as you sign up in advance, you can get
a recording to listen to later!
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By Barri Evins
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While I acknowledge that this single
sentence is the source of much pain, anxiety, and frustration for writers of
all levels of experience, I still find myself surprised that the little
logline is still the Big Bad Wolf when it comes to causing writers trouble.
It vexes, it perplexes, and causes many a writer to quake in their boots.
The need for a solid logline is not limited to just screenwriters, but to
anyone who needs to pitch their work. Whether to gain the attention of an
agent or manager, publisher, producer or executive, in hopes of moving it
forward and getting it out into the world. I’m going to assume that is the
reason you embarked on this long, arduous journey through the scary writing
forest in the first place – because you have a story that you truly want to
tell and you really want people to hear it.
The logline is an integral part of giving birth to your story. So breathe,
breathe, breathe, and let’s push forward. Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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In this week's screenwriting tip, Script
Anatomy founder and instructor Tawnya Bhattacharya shares tips for setting
new year's writing resolutions worth keeping.
Don't miss the chance to save hundreds of dollars with our January kit, Start Your
Screenwriting Career in 2018, only available to the end of the month.
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By Tawnya
Bhattacharya
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The New Year is a time for new beginnings,
introspection, rebirth, and potential — but twelve months will go by faster
than you think. Our best advice would be to look at the year ahead, all you
want to accomplish, and calibrate the influences in your life that will best
help you achieve your goals.
In a business like ours where there it seems like there’s always a
fashionable way or right way of doing things, trusting your instincts can be
a challenge — but in the end, it’s your connection to that instinct that will
help you do your best work. Your intuition knows what’s best — it’s just
about learning to let yourself listen to it. As you’re kicking off 2018 with
blank notebooks, blank pages, bright ideas, and important goals, we wanted to
offer some suggestions for some writing resolutions that have worked for our
writers in the past:
1. Write more...
Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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On ScriptMag.com
this week, we posted an interview with Aaron Sorkin on his new film, Molly’s Game, shared
advice from TV expert Carole Kirschner on breaking into television and more!
With Selma Hayek’s recent insights into the behind-the-scenes challenges of
making Frida,
we also dug into our archives to find a wonderful Writers on Writing from the screenwriter
herself. Check out our full list
of contributors and follow them on Twitter too.
Now get reading and get writing! Read More...
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Ray Morton's process of screenplay analysis
involves examining five key story components. In part one, he discusses the
first three key components.
Read More...
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Frida scribe Diane Lake traveled all the way to Mexico City to
encounter firsthand the emotions, thoughts and sights that her heroine, Frida
Kahlo, experienced. Read More...
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Screenwriting Career Coach and founder of
the CBS Diversity Institute Writers Mentoring Program, Carole Kirschner,
discusses getting an agent and breaking in as a television writer. Read More...
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Writer/Director Aaron Sorkin spoke with
Script magazine about bringing the unusual story of Molly’s Game to the
screen in his directorial debut. Read More...
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The world of the feature film is booming and
you are gushing with ideas. This workshop will give you the tools to get the
ideas out of your head and into a completed screenplay by introducing you to
the methods that professional screenwriters use to write under deadlines. Enroll Now...
See full list of self-paced
online courses here.
|
Our webinars include both access to the live
webinar where you may interact with the presenter and the recorded, on-demand
edition for your video library. You do not have to attend the live event to
get a recording of the presentation.
See full list of upcoming
live online webinars here.
|
Rebecca Norris interviews Ian Brown, creator
of The Bruvs – an animated web series for adults only that’s a little rude,
crude, and definitely hilarious. Read More...
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Paul Peditto examines famous movies with
great character arcs to explore where the character arc begins, where does
the character change, and where does he/she end up by the end of the story. Read More...
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Taking the time to find the best writing
partner is as critical as the effort you put into finding the right spouse.
Jeanne Veillette Bowerman gives 11 tips to avoid disaster. Read More...
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Hollywood screenwriting duo, the Wibberleys
talk to Natalia Megas about revising scripts, dealing with rejection, and why
they're helping other screenwriters succeed. Read More...
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Oftentimes people assume writing genres is
as simple as letting your story idea choose the genre type you should write.
But it’s important to consider more than just the idea when choosing from the
screenplay genres the industry has already created. Read More...
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We're merging our writing sites into one
large community for poets, screenwriters, novelists and journalists. Writers
write. Period. There is no "writing law" saying we can only write
in one medium!
Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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In this week's screenwriting tip, Paul
Peditto examines famous movies with great character arcs to explore where the
character arc begins, where does the character change, and where does he/she
end up by the end of the story.
Don't miss getting professional TV writing advice in our upcoming webinar on
January 11th with Peter Russell, How to Craft a Fabulous TV Script.
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By Paul Peditto
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Let’s examine some famous movies with great
character arcs. I point these out not to say that the characters in each of
your scripts must make such journeys, only that you should define the
journey. This is a variation of the David Mamet 3-Act structural system of
the same name. Where does the character arc begin (Point A/ORDER), where does
the character change (chaos), and where does he/she end (Point Z-Reorder).
You want an ending that feels inevitable, but also surprising – defined by
action that would never have happened at the top of the movie.
Let’s look at some examples…SPOILERS apply! Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Happy New Year! On ScriptMag.com
this week, we share advice on setting realistic goals, interview the film
editor of I, Tonya,
enjoy Peter Iliff’s journey from writer to director and more! Check out our full list
of contributors and follow them on Twitter too.
We’re excited to announce Script, Writer’s
Digest and The Writers Store are merging in 2018 and we’ll be
combining our email subscriptions into one list. In order to make it easier
for you to see the content that matters most to you, you can easily
update your email preferences here. Please check out the
simple instructions so you don’t miss the content that you’ve always enjoyed!
Start the New Year by getting your next project started. Check out the upcoming classes at
Screenwriters University to help you succeed!
Now get reading and get writing! Read More...
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Whenever you set writing goals, ask yourself
what you want out of achieving that goal. Jeanne Veillette Bowerman shares
lessons learned when striving toward a goal. Read More...
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Susan Kouguell speaks with Tatiana S.
Riegel, the editor of I, Tonya, a portrait of one of the most
controversial figures in sports history, Tonya Harding. Read More...
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Screenwriter Peter Iliff (Patriot Games, Point Break)
wanted more from his career. So, using the resources he could find and the
connections he’d made, Iliff took the leap to writer-director with his film Rites of Passage … and
he couldn’t be happier.
Read More...
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Northrup Davis examines the growing
influence of Japanese manga and anime in Hollywood and the opportunities the
global medium presents to creative minds looking to start a career in film or
television. Read More...
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Whether you are a writer looking to
understand the fundamentals of writing for film or a television writer
looking to expand your skillset, Beginning Feature Film Writing has
invaluable information to offer you. Using detailed analyses of successful
scripts, you will discover how film writers maximize the impact of your work
using compelling characters and scenes. The writing critiques in this
workshop are tailored to develop specific skills needed to succeed as a
feature film writer.
Enroll Now...
See full list of self-paced
online courses here.
|
Our webinars include both access to the live
webinar where you may interact with the presenter and the recorded, on-demand
edition for your video library. You do not have to attend the live event to
get a recording of the presentation.
See full list of upcoming
live online webinars here.
|
Frida scribe Diane Lake traveled all the way to Mexico City to
encounter firsthand the emotions, thoughts and sights that her heroine
experienced. Based on her research and Hayden Herrera’s biography, Lake was
able to bring Frida Kahlo to life on the big screen. Read More...
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Writer/director Kim Garland shares her tips
for writing a great short film by focusing on what is unique to this form. Read More...
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Most writers create a pitch after their
script is written, but Anne-Cecille Ville shares that learning how to pitch
your story before you even outline it can help you find the flaws and bang
out a more solid draft.
Read More...
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Eliciting an emotion is just one of the 14
things that a great opening needs to accomplish. Danny Manus talks about the
first 10 pages of a screenplay and horror films. Read More...
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Professional script reader Ray Morton
explains how an unlikeable character who isn't created with thought and
intent can lead to an unlikeable film. Get his tips on how to create the
perfect character we love to hate. Read More...
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Erik Bork, writer-producer of HBO's BAND OF
BROTHERS gives tips for writing movie loglines that will grab an executive's
attention. Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Director, screenwriter and author, Stephen
Chbosky (Perks of a
Wallflower), talks with Script
about the making of his new family film, Wonder. Read More...
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Film collectives are popping up around the
country. Marty Lang shares information about a new collective dedicated to
filmmaking in the Nutmeg State that gives state residents a place to go to
help make their projects happen, a place they call the Nutmeg Institute. Read More...
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Producer and actress Kaily Smith Westbrook
discusses her new millennial comedy, People
You May Know, how she developed the story and found a writer. Read More...
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Script Anatomy founder and instructor Tawnya
Bhattacharya shares tips for setting new years writing resolutions worth
keeping. Read More...
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In this workshop with professional writer
and showrunner Will Rabkin, you will learn the tools professional
screenwriters use to finish high-quality scripts under deadlines. By the end
of this workshop, you will have completed and received professional feedback
on a completed script for your drama pilot. Enroll Now...
See full list of self-paced
online courses here.
|
Our webinars include both access to the live
webinar where you may interact with the presenter and the recorded, on-demand
edition for your video library. You do not have to attend the live event to
get a recording of the presentation.
See full list of upcoming
live online webinars here.
|
The Third Act can make or break your
screenplay. As films explore new territory in terms of plot and storytelling,
the craft of writing them becomes more of a challenge. Read More...
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An actor’s greatest desire is to so fully
embrace a character, that she transports the audience into a magical realm of
make believe. Just how do actors do that? While it may look like an elusive
art, there is a tangible and real way that you, as a writer, can achieve the
same thing. Read More...
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Paula Landry offers writing tips to better
storytelling through effective character development. Read More...
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How does a script work structurally when
there seems to be two central characters? Michael Tabb explains how to
determine who is the hero.
Read More...
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Producer Wendy Kram gives advice to
screenwriters on writing query letters that will grab an executive's
attention. Read More...
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Although Ray Morton can sometimes admire the
ambition of complicated screenplay premises, he rarely finds them to be
successful or effective. He explains his perspective. Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script and adapted the Pulitzer
Prize-winning book, Slavery
by Another Name. Her screenplays were selected as Top 25 Tracking
Board Launch Pad, CSExpo Finalist, Second Round Sundance Episodic Lab, and
PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Twitter @jeannevb.
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
|
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