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Theme

Theme is something a reader is often asked to comment on in script reports. Sometimes it is very obvious: “good versus evil” for example is one of the oldest themes you care to mention and can be applied to hundreds, if not thousands, of stories whether they’re movies, shorts, TV or novels. Sometimes a theme is a specific message the writer wants to communicate – and usually these can be applied to moral tales of where society is going; how women and/or children should be treated; how fortune favours the brave; how life is a triumph of hope over experience;… Read More »Theme

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Special 600th Post: The Art of Consequence

Scribes often write to me and ask, based on my script reading, how I can recognise a “good” script. The answer? I’m not sure you can put it into words. If you have a relationship that works, think of that moment you knew you were going to spend the rest of your life with that person. You just know, right? Cheesy, but true. Sure they annoy the crap out of you by leaving the seat up or using your razor on their legs, but ultimately This Is It. That’s not to say it won’t go to Hell at some point… Read More »Special 600th Post: The Art of Consequence

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Manic Script Preachers

A lot id said about “messages” and stories. Some writers believe stories should have a specific message; others don’t. Whatever you might think, I don’t think any writer can deny stories have power. They can reflect the world we live in; they can confirm our beliefs; they can challenge them; they can even change them altogether. Personally, I think a story has a message whether the writer believes it has one or not, because of re/presentation. To me, a story is not *just* a story – even the choice of what you want to write about reflects who you are,… Read More »Manic Script Preachers

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WTF? On Film 1: Silent Hill

MEGA SPOILERS PRESENT When I first watched Silent Hill, I had no idea it was previously a video game. Even if I had, I doubt it would have deterred me; though I have never played on form of games system in my entire life (that’s right!) and have zero interest in computer games generally, I am actually of the opinion video games *can* create interesting, fun, movies – just as I believe comic books (sorry! GRAPHIC NOVELS) can too. And I wasn’t disappointed by Silent Hill (for the first three quarters anyway, but I’ll come back to that in a… Read More »WTF? On Film 1: Silent Hill

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Scene Focus # 2: The Literal Versus The Universal

I read a lot of scripts that essentially retell people’s personal experiences. This is really interesting to me because I am in actual fact one of the nosiest people in the entire world. I want to know everything about everyone, whether it benefits me or not. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not the net-curtain-twitching-type and nor do I spy on my neighbours with the aid of a telescope or binoculars. I’m nosy, not freaky. However, I figure that if you’re actually talking to me, you’re fair game. So, if you’ve ever had a conversation with me in real life, whether… Read More »Scene Focus # 2: The Literal Versus The Universal

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Save Kids’ TV Update: Government Response

Some of you will remember my efforts to get you all to sign an e-petition back in April to save Kids’ TV in Britain. It’s not that I don’t like or respect the quality of American, Australian or other imported television; I just think it’s important British children should watch British television, because they’re (wait for it), BRITISH. The fact that just 1% of Kids’ TV in Britain is produced in the UK is nothing short of scandalous in my view, meaning a whole generation of British children could become victims of Media Imperialism. This is not good for a… Read More »Save Kids’ TV Update: Government Response

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Welcome To Rom Com Hell: 8 Awful Ways To Write Romantic Comedy

Rom Com / Real Life Hell Rom Com was always one of those genres I avoided through my teens and early twenties. Being a Goth, I was way too cool for boy-meets-girl, obviously. Besides which, by 18 I was a total cynic … I had after all been the girl who’d met the boy, then got knocked up and ripped off by him! I’d been left with a broken heart, a wailing baby and a man-hating attitude problem for approximately five years. I was also of the (not unreasonable) belief that post-FOUR WEDDINGS in the late 90’s/early noughties that all… Read More »Welcome To Rom Com Hell: 8 Awful Ways To Write Romantic Comedy

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Life’s What You Make It…

… Don’t you just love cliches? Cliches may be easily disregarded – but I’ve always been of the opinion cliches become cliches because they’re actually true. Just like your mother offers advice you inevitably scoff at, there’s a part deep inside you where it resonates… Or it is at least filed away, for future ref: something will happen and then it clicks, “So THAT’S what she meant!” You only need half an eye on the blogs to notice that 2008 has been a difficult year for many of us, including myself. My issues have not just been career-orientated, though it’s… Read More »Life’s What You Make It…

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All About Dramatic Irony And Twists In The Tale

All About Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony is a tool I see often in produced and published works, but hardly ever in spec scripts or unpublished novels. Recently I was talking with Uber-Agent Julian Friedmann and mentioned how much I love Yves Lavender’s book Writing Drama. Segnor Friedmann replied how much he loves the book’s section on dramatic irony, lamenting the fact that so few screenwriters actually use this fantastic device. His comments really struck a chord, so I think I’ll have a good look at what makes dramatic irony so great. What is Dramatic Irony? First off however, what is dramatic irony? Well, this… Read More »All About Dramatic Irony And Twists In The Tale

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Be Your Own Biggest Fan… But Know What You’re Doing Too

As human beings we measure ourselves and others by success or condition. It makes sense to us psychologically: we like to pigeon hole things, create a sense of order in an otherwise somewhat random world. Yet so often we make arbitrary assumptions about ourselves or other people based on what they have – or don’t have. It’s crazy when you think of it: why isn’t he married? (Because he’s unlovable). Why is she married? (Because she’s a doormat). Why does he work in a bar? (Because he’s lazy). Why didn’t she go to university? (Because she’s stupid). Though we are… Read More »Be Your Own Biggest Fan… But Know What You’re Doing Too

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How To Use Plot Devices – Voiceover, Flashback, Montage, Intercut and Dream Sequence

Plot Devices With A Bad Name … There are lots of plot devices in scriptwriting we hear are “frowned on”. We shouldn’t use voiceover or flashback is the usual (or voiceover WITH flashback!). I’ve also heard montage maligned in a similar fashion, as well as intercut and dream sequence. This is a load of rot as far as I’m concerned. You can use what you like. These accusations we see levied like “flashback is a lazy way of telling a story” is just another generalisation. Flashback can be an amazingly dramatic way to tell a story. … For A REASON!!… Read More »How To Use Plot Devices – Voiceover, Flashback, Montage, Intercut and Dream Sequence

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Consequence: A Chain Reaction

Oedipus is someone you might have heard of. The basic gist: he was the foundling child who grew up to be the Greek king who found he’d killed his own Dad and married his Mum. The result: Oedipus poked out his own eyes and his wife/Mum hanged herself. Bummer. Even worse, it only all happened ‘cos his Mum and Dad heard a prophecy that said their child would…Guess what: kill the Dad and marry the Mum, so they had a midwife put the baby out on a mountain to be exposed. Which she did and the child was found (or… Read More »Consequence: A Chain Reaction

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