F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
A personal note from
Script Mag’s Jeanne Veillette Bowerman
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The film industry often mystifies writers.
We see so many box-office hits, and think, "I have an idea that's better
than that!" The truth is, you probably do! However, Hollywood works in
ways that are not always intuitive. The smallest mistake can knock a great
story right into a producer's trash can.
For this year’s Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, we've
curated a screenwriting track to help novelists and screenwriters
better understand how to navigate the film and TV industry, from story
concept to pitch.
I'll be teaching two sessions this year, “Screenwriting 101: Demystifying
Hollywood” with Matt Misetich of Script and Book
Pipeline, where we'll explore everything from story structure, to how to find
producers to pitch. My second session, “Adaptation: From Bookshelves to Big
Screens,” examines the process of adapting a book (or other intellectual
property) into a screenplay.
Also on the program, Susan Kouguell will highlight what an
executive is looking for in a story to improve your odds of success, and Christine Conradt will teach you how to
boil your story idea into a succinct logline and query letter. Unlike the
world of novelists, screenwriters can find success even without an agent, and
Christine will also share advice on navigating Hollywood without
representation.
Whether you're a screenwriter or novelist, WDC19’s program has plenty for you. Join
us in New York City from August 22-25 for and learn how to elevate your
stories and craft in both forms.
Looking forward to seeing you in the Big Apple!
Jeanne
Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script, Senior Editor at Writer’s Digest, and
co-founder of Twitter’s #scriptchat and @WritersStrong. Her screenplays,
including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name,
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 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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When you watch your favorite TV series for
years you have high expectations for a satisfying ending. Anne-Cecile Ville
examines story endings that are happy, sad, and ambiguous.
For a limited time, same over $500 with our bundle of products, Writing Mysteries
and Thrillers That Sell.
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By Anne-Cecile Ville
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The final season of Games of Thrones has
finally aired, and some viewers are not happy. They’re so unhappy, in fact,
that a petition online to (quote) “Remake Games of Thrones Season 8 with
competent writers” has now reached over 1.6 M signatures worldwide. Scrolling
down the comments, a recurrent complaint stands out, ‘We deserved better!’ Games of Thrones joins the
ranks of long-standing television series such as Lost whose final season
disappointed scores of viewers.
So, did the writers, who delighted millions of fans for eight years, truly
became incompetent overnight?
The answer is no, obviously. The reality is, and this is not a thread about
the Games of Thrones
finale, the longer a show runs, the less likely writers can fulfill the
audience’s wishes. Simply put, the longer an audience is invested, the higher
the expectations.
Having said that, when ending a TV series, it’s good to remember the concept
you started up with. I have listed a few examples below (beware, spoilers)...
Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script, Senior Editor at Writer’s Digest, and
co-founder of Twitter’s #scriptchat and @WritersStrong. Her screenplays,
including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name,
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 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
Andrew Bloomenthal looks back at the
30-year-old iconic film, Dead Poet’s Society, interviewing screenwriter Tom
Schulman, director Peter Weir, and co-star Ethan Hawke. Read More...
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Writers need to find their community. Stowe
Story Labs and Sidewalk Story Lab team up at the 21st Sidewalk Film Festival
to help writers and filmmakers improve their stories and connect with other
creatives. Read More...
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Slug lines help orient the reader, but can
be created in a variety of ways. Dave Trottier, AKA Dr. Format, shares advice
on proper screenplay formatting of slug lines. Read More...
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Former Los Angeles producer/showrunner Scott
McConnell shares advice on how to develop a strong central conflict for a
drama. Read More...
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If you have been sitting on an idea for a
feature film, this is your chance to complete a draft of your screenplay in
just ten weeks, with expert feedback at every step. Whether you have finished
a dozen screenplays or are working on your first, this workshop will give you
what you need to get you writing and keep you on track to finish your script. 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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Writer/Director Tony Germinario discusses
his crime drama feature, The Price For Silence, his writing process, and how
he was able to get the screenplay produced. Read More...
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Susan Kouguell interviews filmmaker of
Mouthpiece, Patricia Rozema, diving into the adaptation process and taking
risks in filmmaking.
Read More...
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Jen Grisanti examines how the character
wound in this year’s Oscar-nominated films help the audience connect on a
deeper level to the films’ protagonists. Read More...
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If you dream of your story being on the big
screen, Script's editor, Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, gives you a peek inside
the filmmaking industry and shares ways to submit your story to Hollywood. Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script, Senior Editor at Writer’s Digest, and
co-founder of Twitter’s #scriptchat and @WritersStrong. Her screenplays,
including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name,
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 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
5 Tips for Writing a
Contained Script
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Figuring out how to create a compelling,
entertaining, or meaningful story within a contained structure is a challenge
every screenwriter should attempt. Cameron Chapman explains why.
Don't miss the chance to save over $500 with our product bundle Thrillers That Sell,
on sale for a limited time only!
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By Cameron Chapman
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Whether you want to produce and direct the
screenplays you write yourself or you’re targeting small, indie producers,
writing a contained script can have a lot of advantages over more expansive
scripts. But writing the contained script can be even more difficult than
writing other types of screenplays.
Figuring out how to create a compelling, entertaining, or meaningful story
within a confined structure is a challenge I personally loved. I highly
recommend every screenwriter at least attempt a contained script, if for no
other reason than the challenge and learning opportunity it entails.
What is a contained script?
Contained scripts are generally limited to one or two locations. They often
have a small cast of characters, too. Thrillers are the most popular genre
for contained scripts, but I recently wrote a contained comedy that follows
many of the same principles. Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script, Senior Editor at Writer’s Digest, and
co-founder of Twitter’s #scriptchat and @WritersStrong. Her screenplays,
including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name,
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 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Writer/director Heather Taylor interviews
showrunner Morwyn Brebner, creator of CBC’s hit series Coroner, and co-creator of
Saving Hope and Rookie Blue. Read More...
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Many screenwriters enter screenwriting
contests in hopes of getting the attention of an agent or manager. Meet Jeff
Cassidy, winner of Final Draft Big Break's feature category, with his script,
Daisy's Story.
Read More...
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Writing conferences are an amazing way to
build your network, practice pitching, and get valuable writing advice. Check
out Writer's Digest Annual Conference and its fabulous Pitch Slam... with a
$50 coupon code!
Read More...
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Forging a path as a writer presents endless
challenges. Clive Frayne highlights the number one mistake a screenwriter can
make that will keep them from producing quality scripts. Read More...
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Let Dave Trottier (Dr. Format himself) show
you the necessary techniques and currently accepted standards that will set
your script apart from the heap. Not only will he teach you the rules of
script formatting, he will show you when and how to break them. 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.
|
Ashley Scott Meyers talks with writer and
director Michael K Feinstein about his career, from writing and directing
short films, to his current comedy feature film, The Browsing Effect. Read More...
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Are you stuck in the habit of not writing?
Lynn Dickinson shares tips to help you create strong writing habits that will
last for years
Read More...
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TV writer Eric Haywood breaks down the three
primary types of television staffing meetings. Read More...
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More than ever, it's critical for
screenwriters to branch out and create stories in all types of writing
mediums. Jay Thornton, one half of the writing team Them Thorntons, shares
the journey he and his brother Chris have taken from screenwriting to novels
to audioplays.
Read More...
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Jeanne Veillette
Bowerman
Jeanne is the Editor of Script, Senior Editor at Writer’s Digest, and
co-founder of Twitter’s #scriptchat and @WritersStrong. Her screenplays,
including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name,
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 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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