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low budget screenplay

What Is The Difference Between Horror And Thriller?

One of the most searched-for terms on this blog is, ‘What is the difference between Horror and Thriller?’ (Or, ‘What is the difference between Thriller And Horror’)!  This isn’t surprising, because as anyone who’s heard or read pitches knows, many spec screenwriters will specify ‘Horror/Thriller’ as their genre. But repeat after me, Bang2writers: THIS IS A VERY BAD IDEA. Here’s Why Of course mixed genre pieces exist, but they are the exceptions, NOT the rule. Put simply, if a writer says their screenplay is a ‘Horror/Thriller’, 9/10 they are mistaken. This means the literary agent, producer, filmmaker or script editor… Read More »What Is The Difference Between Horror And Thriller?

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How To Win At Screenwriting Competitions

Many thanks to Phil Gladwin for this GREAT insight into the Screenwriting Goldmine contest, which is open for submissions at the moment. Phil is a script editor and fab champion of writers, so make sure you check out his previous articles on B2W too before you submit: Is Your Writing READY? AKA 12 Questions To Ask Of Your Writing How To Beat The Gatekeepers – Terrifying Case Study From Screenwriting Goldmine And if you enter the contest, GOOD LUCK! Over to you, Phil … It’s that time again. Scripts from new writers from around the UK are dropping into my… Read More »How To Win At Screenwriting Competitions

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Top 5 Mistakes Comedy Writers Make

‘How to write comedy’ is a VERY popular search term via Google to this site, so when Peter and Jon from The Comedy Crowd offered their expertise in the genre for the Bang2writers, I snapped their hands off! Enjoy!  There is a perception that it’s harder than ever to get into comedy. Established writers have bemoaned the shift of scheduling and budgets away from sitcoms and towards drama, or the oft-maligned ‘comedy-drama’ genre. If you’re aiming for that primetime BBC slot and you aren’t an arena stand-up those established writers are probably right – it is tough to get into comedy.… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Comedy Writers Make

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How To Produce A Film Using SEIS

So, MAD MAX FURY ROAD producer Iain Smith gave us all a shot in the arm about film production yesterday … But it’s all well and good SAYING we need to be brave and bold, HOW do we do it??? So, many thanks to @MarkMacNicol, a Bang2writer and LSF Talent Camper from last year’s intake who’s decided time waits for no (wo)man and istaking the bull by the horns … He WILL get his films made, using SEIS and film tax credits, thus taking on the role of producer!! OUTSTANDING!! Mark breaks down this complicated-sounding venture into just seven or… Read More »How To Produce A Film Using SEIS

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4 Top Lessons On Writing Children

As I mention in my book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays, I frequently see child and teen characters in specscreenplays that ‘feel’ like ‘movie kids’ rather than rounded, three dimensional characters. So I was delighted to read the excellent WATERBABIES by Writer/Director Andy Simpson, which doesn’t make this basic mistake! When Andy suggested writing a guest post on this subject for B2W,  I jumped at the chance … His script tips are contrasted with his directing experience, so Bang2writers get the ‘full picture’ of going BEYOND the page, too. Invaluable!! Over to you, Andy … Are there children in your script?… Read More »4 Top Lessons On Writing Children

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5 Tips For Writing Effective Query Letters And Emails

One of the easiest ways for screenwriters to establish contact with agents and production companies is by sending query letters and emails. That being said, the process of writing and distributing these letters is not easy at all! This is because your submission has three main goals to achieve: Inform the agent or producer what the story is all about Intrigue them to read the script you’ve completed Provide a written record that the work has been submitted (necessary in case there’s a dispute over copyright) When you get a response like “I’m interested in your story and I would… Read More »5 Tips For Writing Effective Query Letters And Emails

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Top 5 Genre Mistakes Writers Make

Carrying on my Top 5 mistakes series, it always surprises me how some spec screenwriters will start blindly writing a genre, without researching it robustly. Look, I know it’s tempting to just dive in, but believe me when I say it SHOWS if you haven’t done your homework!! So, be warned and stay away from: 1) Depressing Dramas OK, first off I’m breaking my own rule by putting something on a drama in a genre post … but when so many spec screenwriters don’t understand the difference between drama and genre anyway, chances are you may be here looking for… Read More »Top 5 Genre Mistakes Writers Make

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4 Essential Elements Agents Want

As a screenwriter, you face a variety of challenges. You want your work to reflect your creativity and your talents. You also want your work catch the attention of a good literary agent so that you might actually make some money for your efforts. This means that you have to take marketability into consideration as well as creativity. Check out these essential, screenplay elements that literary agents are looking for in your submissions: 1) Fit Into One Genre (Hyphens Are Okay) Some of the best movies in history have defied categorization. They might include elements of action, history, comedy, romance, and… Read More »4 Essential Elements Agents Want

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5 Things I Learned At The UK’s Top Prodco

Many thanks to Diana Voxerbrant from The Story Desk today for this insight into interning at Working Title … Some great pointers here, I think number 5 is my favourite 😉 Enjoy! Are you a film student looking to land a prestigious work placement or internship? When I studied screenwriting I was so used to rejection, that when Working Title replied, I almost thought it was a joke. These were the people who produced my heroes The Coen Brother’s films (and countless other blockbusters). After the initial shock faded, a plan hatched: To rise through the ranks of the company… Read More »5 Things I Learned At The UK’s Top Prodco

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Top 5 Mistakes Even Savvy Writers Make With Loglines

Savvy Writers I’m assuming we’re all savvy writers who all know loglines are NOT taglines … So let’s put REAL loglines under the microscope in the next instalment of my Top 5 Mistakes series! 1)  Writers forget 1 (or more) of “The 3 Cs” Clarity, characters, conflict – in that order, please! Here’s why: Without clarity, we don’t understand what’s going on We need to know who your character/s are to want to get on board the journey We need to know the conflict to understand what your character/s are up against. EXTRA TIP FOR YOU: I’ve noted savvy writers… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Even Savvy Writers Make With Loglines

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Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

How’s your screenplay format? Screenplay format gets a bad rap and is often conflated with writing craft. Whilst sometimes the two things DO cross over, this post will deal predominantly with **how** your script looks ON THE PAGE. Continuing in the Top 5 Mistakes series, I’ll be concentrating on screenplay format today. (I’m assuming your layout, spelling, punctuation and grammar are awesome already. If not, you can check here: 10 Common Errors In Your Writing You Need To Fix Right Now.) Ready, then? Let’s go … 1) Overly long sluglines (aka ‘scene headers’) A slugline or scene header in a… Read More »Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

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Gender Inequality In Film: 5 Key Findings

Gender inequality in the film industry has been a hot topic for a good while now, but especially in recent weeks. Over the past nine months, Stephen Follows researched gender inequality in the UK Film Industry. Stephen is an award-winning writer and producer, so we can feel assured he knows exactly what he’s talking about. Check out his full report HERE, plus the many projects he’s been involved in, HERE. You can follow him on Twitter as @StephenFollows (and you should!). So Bang2writers! I read Stephen’s whopping 140 page report, not to mention a stack of other articles and discussion. Stephen himself also… Read More »Gender Inequality In Film: 5 Key Findings

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