Find Me
Popular
Random
- Netflix Hidden Gems
- YouTube + Sundance
- Coen Brothers
- The Polymath
- Word of Advice
- King's Dream
- The Tide Rolls
- Goin' to Acapulco
- EditFest NY - pics
- Snap Shots
- Party on Planet Brooklyn
- Mississippi and Mike Leigh
- Indie Conversations
- Editor Karen Schmeer Struck Down
- I Be Your Water
- Kolo Barst - Achiki
- Genius in the Walls
- 007... Hello? It's Me, Wolverine.
- Bloom City Trailer
- Kickstarter
Category Archives: Writing
The Mystery Box
Writer/Director J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Trek) shares the inspiration behind his creative process and explains his storytelling obsessions: what you don’t see/show is so much more important that what you do. (and I agree)
“Sugar” the Script
Funny thing about writing a feature script is time: you never have enough. I should be watching a few films a week (just to expand my film grammar) but with teaching, working and writing, I just don’t. So when I do and especially when I come across something I really enjoy I’d like to share [...]
Notes from the Future
This past week I got a response from the Sundance Feature Film labs about “The American People”, the feature script I’m developing with their mentorship. They (as do I) feel like the latest draft is a step forward but still needs development. Suffice it to say I won’t be attending the Director’s Labs this year. [...]
Mamet Says
This note from writer/director David Mamet has been making the rounds. This little missive was addressed to the writer’s of the television show “The Unit” before it was canceled. I wish I would’ve read it about a week ago before I submitted the draft to Sundance… I’m posting it and hoping you can use it. [...]
You don’t call, you don’t write…
It’s been a while, huh? I took a few weeks to finish up my feature script. I had a deadline from the Sundance Labs and was able to get it in (albeit just a bit late). I’m happy with the draft. It’s not completely done but I believe I solved a few of the act [...]
A Jay-Z and The Kinks Writing Break
Arrrghhhh!!! OK. Rewriting is an art all on it’s own… and I’m deep in it. Barely. So I thought I’d offer a remedy for when your brain is bubbling over with themes, characters and tired of reaching for emotional pitch… Turn up the volume on your computer… high. Stand up. And then click this video: [...]
Really Really Useful Screenwriting Advice
Burn it down You wouldn’t splash gasoline on the walls of your home, then toss a few matches while strolling out the door. In real life, this kind of willful destruction is criminal. In fiction, it’s crucial. As the writer, you need to burn down houses. You need to push characters out of their safe [...]
Amy Tan On Creativity
Here’s a TED talks video where novelist Amy Tan digs deep into the creative process, looking for hints of how hers evolved. Take a look.
MakingOf.com
I was recently sent a link from a film school classmate (thanks Bobby) for an interesting new website called MakingOf.com. It was co-founded by Natalie Portman and according to the site it “provides an intimate, fresh look into the process of creating entertainment by the insiders themselves.” Swanky right? In the interview below filmmaker Darren [...]
Your F*cking Anything…
It seems there was a bit of a rumpus this week surrounding what should be done for free or not. Looks like it started when Oscar nominated screenwriter Josh Olsin (“History of Violence”), threw down a tiny gauntlet with the following rant: “I will not read your fucking script. That’s simple enough, isn’t it? “I [...]
Anthony & the Johnsons
I need music to write. It’s also important that it’s a song I love enough to put on “repeat”. The music wraps me up and it’s like “closing the door” to everything. I enter that world and I’m off… Though I looked and couldn’t find it, I think a great website would be “whatiwaslisteningtowheniwroteit.com”. No? [...]
Me, I’m a Creator
Via The Artful Writer I stumbled across what may be the “latest and greatest” explanation/exploration of the nightmare struggles of filmmakers content distributors/creators today. Or what I like to call “the sublime crises”. Here’s an excerpt from Barrett Garese on the state of things-to-come: …content is changing in a big way. Big changes to established [...]
A von Trier Frame
I’m working on a short script about romance and breakups (yay! I can hear you saying). Working title: “Love and Other Difficulties” or “Everything I Said” I thought it was my turn to add something to the conversation. While I’ve been writing the script I’ve been watching a lot of short films and came across [...]
Blown Away – Good News
So a few days ago I promised to share some good news: The week after I came from home from the Labs I got a call from Ilyse and Michelle telling me I’d been awarded the Lynn Auerbach Memorial Fellowship. The Lynn Auerbach Screenwriting Fellowship celebrates and honors the contributions and memory of Auerbach’s 15-year [...]
Sundance Labs Recap
“Writing is betraying the people you love to impress people you’ll never meet.” —(Unknown) During our first group meeting at the Sundance Institute’s June Screenwriter’s Lab advisor Chris McQuarrie shared the quote from above and I thought, “Man you nailed me and my script.” …well actually as it turns out, only kinda. Of course, I [...]
Sundance Labs June ’09
We exited the highway and sped through a valley of winding roads. The sun and mountains were everywhere and everything seemed to be rushing at us. Our driver (Lesley of Scotland) told us we were lucky because it’d been raining for days before we arrived and hopefully the sun we’d brought would stay. (of course… [...]
Grants for Grant$
I’ve reached that place where I actually have a few projects I’d like to see made and I’m in the process of looking for funds. If you are too here are two places to get you started. New York Foundation for the Arts is a solid resource for wide searches on grants, awards, retreats, etc. [...]
Work Better Or Worse
Many times I look to other communities outside of my own little cultivated film circle when I’m working on a project, musing or just need some quick inspiration. Lately, I’ve found myself drawn to designers. Specifically, the words of graphic designer, Frank Chimero. Mr. Chimero offers a few principles, ten actually, which serve as guidelines [...]
Sundance Labs
My feature film script, “The American People” has been selected for the June ’09 screenwriters lab. I’m and humbled they responded enough to the script and my previous work to select me. Here’s a one liner about the film: “Deep in the heart of Alabama wiregrass country, a woman haunted by visions of the future [...]
1st Draft Workshop
This past Sunday, April 19, I gathered together a very talented group of actors and worked through my first draft of my screenplay, “The American People”. I’m preparing myself to begin a second draft and a good reading and discussion of the first draft helps a lot. Also, I have to say these actors have [...]
Wasting Your Time