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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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5 Epic Problems Nearly Every Writer Has When Drafting

Drafting is DIFFICULT As every writer knows, drafting is difficult. As a script reader and script editor I help writers with drafting … and have discovered over the years there are 5 issues just about EVERYONE struggles with. Yes, even pro writers!! Enjoy — and pass it on! 1) Overdoing symbolism/ theme Every writer has a ‘message’, because writing is in itself a communication. I’d argue all of us want to SAY something, or PROVE something. It’s an innate part of being a writer. I’d bet real actual money on it. However, that message (or whatever you want to call… Read More »5 Epic Problems Nearly Every Writer Has When Drafting

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Pixar’s 22 Steps To Ultimate Storytelling Under The Microscope

As any veteran Bang2writer knows, I normally don’t stand for so-called writing rules — but these are different! Pixar have shown, time and time again, their stories and characters will stand the test of time. Their knowledge of story is EPIC and every writer can learn from their movies and shorts, whether they actually *like* them or not. This is why Pixar’s 22 Rules For Phenomenal Storytelling went viral when it appeared online and continue to be the gold standard for ALL writers, screenwriters or not! I love Erika’s short and pithy additions and alternative views to Pixar’s here –… Read More »Pixar’s 22 Steps To Ultimate Storytelling Under The Microscope

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10 More Writer Fails (And How To Avoid Them)

Two of the most searched Google terms on this blog are, ‘writer mistakes’ and ‘writer fails’, so I thought I would take a look at you actual WRITERS and what you might doing to kill your screenplay dead. Ready?? Brace yourselves you lot … ‘cos here’s how you’re MURDERING your chances! 1) By … Waiting for inspiration Novelist W. Somerset Maugham said (though some attribute it to Peter De Vries and other writers) “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” I love this quote (whomever said it) because it gets straight to… Read More »10 More Writer Fails (And How To Avoid Them)

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5 Lessons I Learned Pitching

As an unrepresented writer (and even one WITH an agent!), it’s essential to do your own groundwork to get your first foot in this business … And there’s no bigger step you can take than pitching your own material, the baby you’ve nurtured so tirelessly since its conception! It should be noted that every pitch you ever perform will be different. No two execs are ever the same. However, there’s some universal insights that will greatly benefit you. These following lessons relate to a project of mine, The Nth Degree, which is an espionage thriller with a sci-fi twist. This… Read More »5 Lessons I Learned Pitching

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How NOT To Pitch Agents: 21 Tips For Writers

How Not to Pitch Agents If you want to pitch agents, you have come to the right place. One of the most oft-hit articles on B2W is 29 Ways NOT To Submit To An Agent by BFLA’s Carole Blake. So, with LondonSWF around the corner, I thought now was a good time to invite another agent to give her tips … So please welcome Jennifer Johnson-Blalock! Jennifer is a lit agent in New York and is offering her top tips on how NOT to pitch at conferences and pitchfests. There’s some stellar advice here on how to pitch agents, so… Read More »How NOT To Pitch Agents: 21 Tips For Writers

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Crowdfunding 101: Top 10 Tips

Whether you’re crowdfunding for your movie or short film on Kickstarter; your book on Unbound; a charity on JustGiving – or something else! – you would do well to check out the mahvellous Zee from FNAFilms’ top tips on crowdfunding today. FNA ran a very successful campaign for its debut feature The Stagg Do, so it’s safe to say they know their stuff. Over to you, Zee! Don’t underestimate how much hard work goes into a crowd funding campaign. You can’t set up a campaign and leave it. Build it and they will NOT come, unless they know about it.… Read More »Crowdfunding 101: Top 10 Tips

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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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5 Visual Representations of Storytelling Structure

Scary Structure Structure freaks so many writers out … It can be enough to strike fear into the heart of ANY spec screenwriter or unpublished novelist. But I actually think getting to grips with this is THE KEY to not only being a ‘good’ writer, but a SUCCESSFUL one! Whilst some structure methods like Blake Snyder’s ‘Save The Cat’ may seem formulaic, it’s important to note structure is NOT a formula. (Also, don’t forget Snyder never meant ‘Save The Cat’ to become the checklist it has, especially in some Hollywood circles). Structure = Beginning – Middle – End Stories are… Read More »5 Visual Representations of Storytelling Structure

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Top 7 Pitching Secrets From Stage 32

“How to pitch” and “secrets of pitching” turn up in the B2W Google search results all the time – so my glam assistant Olivia Brennan went out and asked Erik from Stage 32 for his top tips on this subject. There’s some great insights and common sense advice here, plus answers to the most frequently asked Qs B2W gets asked regularly. Thanks Erik – and over to you, Olivia! I recently had the opportunity to find out exactly what producers and executives are looking for during a Pitch. Erik over at Stage 32 was kind enough to shed light on… Read More »Top 7 Pitching Secrets From Stage 32

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Top 5 Social Media Mistakes Writers Make

As everyone knows: I love social media, but I also TOTALLYHATEITSOMUCHOMG. Continuing my Top 5 Mistakes Series, here’s where some people online go HIDEOUSLY WRONG … 1) Pitch people or demand help straight away The clue is in the name, people! It’s SOCIAL media, which means you need to build relationships with people BEFORE you ask them for their help, time or money. It’s not rocket science – you wouldn’t just wander into a bar and ask a random person to marry you, would you?? (Or if you did, the chances are they’d say a big fat NO!). It’s the… Read More »Top 5 Social Media Mistakes Writers Make

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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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