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A Look In The Spec Pile: 12 #Twisted50 Thoughts

So, the first round of Create50’s Twisted: 50 Vol 1 reading is done and judging is well underway … I read approximately 120 stories of the 500 (approx) that were submitted to Twisted:50 initiative, so here are some thoughts from reading them: 1) The Boring Stuff First up, the boring stuff like punctuation, grammar, spelling etc: I’m happy to report this was mostly very good. There were some obvious typos here and there, plus a couple of the Non-native english speaking writer made classic errors this ex-TEFL teacher spotted. But overall, I saw very few stories that were absolute shockers on… Read More »A Look In The Spec Pile: 12 #Twisted50 Thoughts

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9 Famous Lift Scenes In Movies And TV

Believe it or not, I find myself talking to Bang2writers about lifts (aka elevators) a LOT! So when this infographic on famous lifts from film and TV came through from TK Encasa, I was happy to host it. But WHY do I end up talking about lifts a lot, you ask? Well, the contained low budget screenplay means I get a fair amount of short films set in lifts, occasionally some features too (especially Horror, probably thanks to likes of M. Night Shymalan’s DEVIL). In addition, I frequently have to explain to writers that shooting in lifts on location is… Read More »9 Famous Lift Scenes In Movies And TV

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Structure Spotlight: 3 Things To Remember For Act 3

All About Act 3 So today we’re talking about Act 3, courtesy of  Bang2writer Craig Howells, who left this question in the B2W Facebook group: I’m really interested in the anatomy of Act 3. What are the Dos & Don’ts? I know you need to pay off, and I’ve got my own ideas (which I’m still working on) but I’d love to know your take on it. I’m not a structure purist. As far as I’m concerned, all stories *just* need a beginning, middle and end (and not necessarily in that order, either!). On this basis then, The Three Acts makes… Read More »Structure Spotlight: 3 Things To Remember For Act 3

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20 Game-Changing Love Interests And Why They’re So Important

Love is a powerful motivator Most of us want to be loved, so I’ve found it a trifle bizarre just how much the love interest role function gets the boot in modern critique. Obviously no one wants cardboard cut out characters, but far from love interest characters automatically being two dimensional, we can often see they’re more nuanced than given credit for, or melded with other interesting role functions. Many thanks to my glam assistant Olivia aka @LivSFB for this GREAT round up and reminder that love interest characters CAN be great, as well as informing plot! Enjoy … It… Read More »20 Game-Changing Love Interests And Why They’re So Important

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A Look In The Spec Pile: 5 Winning Screenplays (@ShoreScripts Screenwriting Competition 2015)

B2W was asked to be a judge for the Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition this year. Bang2writers talk highly of this competition, plus Shore Scripts wrote a great post on last year’s entries for this site, so I was happy to accept. As a judge, I didn’t read ALL the submissions – just the final five, all winners. All five are good scripts, plucked from a pile of 1800 screenplays and scored for their concepts and craft. My job as judge then was to read those winning scripts and decide which ORDER I feel they should come in, 1-5. First up though,… Read More »A Look In The Spec Pile: 5 Winning Screenplays (@ShoreScripts Screenwriting Competition 2015)

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How To Write Action Set Pieces In Your Thriller Screenplay

All About Movie Set Pieces More and more Bang2writers are attempting epic storyworlds, flamboyant characters and super stunts in their screenwriting. This is welcome progress as far as I’m concerned … As I’ve said many times on this blog, I enjoy big budget action movies and no one does them quite like Hollywood. However, there does appear to be some confusion amongst new action screenwriters on what *exactly* a set piece is. Here’s a dictionary definition: Set Piece, noun 1) A scene, action, or the like, having a conventional form and functioning as part of the structure of a work… Read More »How To Write Action Set Pieces In Your Thriller Screenplay

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10 Screenwriting Lessons From THE EXORCIST (Part 2)

It’s All Saints Day! But we’re still being spooookeee here at B2W Towers in celebration of Halloween weekend. If you didn’t catch the first part of David McClellan’s great 2-parter on what screenwriters can learn from 1973’s The Exorcist, then check it out HERE. Enjoy! 6) The Devil Well, technically the demon Pazuzu, though it is not stated at all in the film. The Exorcist goes straight to the top of the arch villain heap here and brings you the ultimate supernatural foil battling an aged priest over the body and soul of a twelve-year-old girl. The possession story has… Read More »10 Screenwriting Lessons From THE EXORCIST (Part 2)

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10 Screenwriting Lessons from THE EXORCIST (Part 1)

Happy Halloween! There are many seminal Horror works that have influenced cinema, but they probably don’t come any bigger than THE EXORCIST. Whether you love it or loathe it, over forty years on, this movie has made an indelible (bloody) stamp on the genre, so if you want to write Horror? You NEED to watch this film & learn from it! Here’s why, according to Dave at the fab new website, StoryBeats. Enjoy! 1) THE EXORCIST did it first Nearly every film convention, trope and cliché seen in horror films today was created in The Exorcist back in 1973. Bumps… Read More »10 Screenwriting Lessons from THE EXORCIST (Part 1)

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6 Things You NEED In Your Dystopian YA Novel

My glamorous assistant Olivia is back today, with some GREAT thoughts on Young Adult novels, particularly dystopian ones that seem to be all the rage atm. If you prefer your YA set more in the real world, then check out my OWN YA, which confronts a female protagonist with ALL the potential outcomes of a single dilemma. Download The Decision: Lizzie’s Story and its companion novel, The Decision: Jasmine’s Story to your Kindle, HERE. Over to you, Olivia! There’s a certain formula that goes into creating a successful bestselling book series and franchise such as The Hunger Games, Divergent or The Maze… Read More »6 Things You NEED In Your Dystopian YA Novel

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What Shakespeare Gave To Screenwriting (And More!)

Many thanks to Jennifer from SuperScholar who’s been in touch with this brilliant infographic on Scriptwriting Daddio Shakespeare, who would be 451 this year! Love him or loathe him, Shakespeare has made a tremendous contribution to the writing world not only in terms of storytelling, but language, medicine, business and more! There are few writers with such a far-reaching influence in culture. My favourite modern adaptation of a Shakespeare work has to be teen classic Ten Things I Hate About You (1999). Kat Stratford rocks! What’s yours? More like this: Writing Women: 5 Lessons From Shakespeare Source: SuperScholar.org More like… Read More »What Shakespeare Gave To Screenwriting (And More!)

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Why So Alike? 8 Book Cover Twins

We’re **all** aware of the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, but fact is, we all DO. Bad cover art or design WILL put readers off – that’s just a sad fact of life! That’s why I’m SO proud of both the covers in The Decision Series, done by the amazing Peter at Bespoke Designs. Both my covers are dynamic, eye-catching and totally unique, whilst still drawing attention to the fact they’re in the same storyworld. So, many thanks to Steve at Fresh Essays, who’s been in touch with this fab infographic below on the similarities between many… Read More »Why So Alike? 8 Book Cover Twins

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Q: What Is The Difference Between A Remake & A Reboot?

I’m at the VERY LAST Guerilla Filmmaker Masterclass this weekend (sob)!! So if you see me, do come and say hello … I’m the shouty small one with flowers in her hair, who’s sitting down the front somewhere. On this historic two days then, I thought I’d take a look at audiences and how what they expect / want can change over time. This is never more obvious than with remakes and reboots. I talk a lot with Bang2writers about movie franchises and one question I get asked fairly frequently is, “What is the difference between a remake and a reboot?” It’s… Read More »Q: What Is The Difference Between A Remake & A Reboot?

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