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Zeitgeist Stories

10 Questions For Your First Ten Pages

Everywhere we look, screenwriters are advised to make their ten pages absolutely rock. And this is good advice, since if you write a “good” ten pages, chances are your draft will get a full read at that agent’s, prodco, initiative or contest. Knowing what “good” means in terms of the first ten pages is half the battle … So here are my thoughts on how to judge your own work from a script reader’s POV: 1. WHO are the characters? Whether TV script or feature, by page 10, we need to know who the main characters are – and by “main… Read More »10 Questions For Your First Ten Pages

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On Writing: The 3 Cs Versus The 3 Ps

Bang2writers ask me quite frequently for my “top tips” on  surviving the writing process and this industry. Before now I always felt that it depends on the person, what they’re doing, how they work and who with. But actually, having worked on a variety of projects now with various people over the last ten years, I think there are 6 things all writers of ALL formats need to know and live by, whether they’re screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, journalists, transmedia writers, the works. That’s right – just 6. But they mean SO much – literally everything. 1. THE WRITING You need the… Read More »On Writing: The 3 Cs Versus The 3 Ps

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You Have Nothing Worth Ripping Off …

… Because if you did, someone would BUY it. A lot less hassle (not to mention expense), no? It’s time to GET REAL: UK Copyright Myths Exploded. The idea your script or novel is in danger every time you send it out is simply not true. Don’t believe me? Then check out this post for FIVE reasons why or better still, actually familiarise yourself with the law and how it works! Won’t Someone Nick My Idea/Script? Ideas are FREE. That’s a fact. Besides, no matter what your idea is, it will have been done before. That’s a fact. What’s more, not only would… Read More »You Have Nothing Worth Ripping Off …

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Stuck In A Rut: 7 Ways You’re Sabotaging Yourself (And 1 Thing That Will Set You Free!)

Stuck In A Rut Is your writing stuck in a rut? You’re not alone. It’s  been a week since I posted *that* post about avoiding low budget depressing drama & high budget science fiction/fantasy spec scripts if you want to stand out from the crowd … And what a week! Some writers have been expressing: AMAZEBALLS! I TOTALLY GET IT! INVEST IN IDEAS! YAAAY! Others have been decidedly lukewarm: *Grumble grumble* MY SCRIPT IS ONE OF THOSE AND I HAVEN’T GOT ANY LEADS SO I “SPOSE” YOU “COULD” BE RIGHT *Grumble* … And others have said, point-blank: YOU’RE TOTALLY WRONG, GET… Read More »Stuck In A Rut: 7 Ways You’re Sabotaging Yourself (And 1 Thing That Will Set You Free!)

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Want To Get Noticed? Then Don’t Write These Type Of Screenplays

Updated Previously titled, ‘Want To Get Noticed? Don’t Write Low Budget Depressing Drama or High Budget Science Fiction/Fantasy Spec Scripts‘, this post will outline why trying to get out of the submissions pile with a low budget drama or a high budget sci fi TV pilot like a gazilion other writers (probably) ain’t gonna work for you. Strap yourself in and suck it up, peeps … Cliches + Stereotypes = BORING When I started script reading, everyone was writing very “worthy”, very personal psychological dramas where generally everybody died or was at least miserable as Hell and in the grip of addiction,… Read More »Want To Get Noticed? Then Don’t Write These Type Of Screenplays

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4 Ways Samey Stories Happen … And 1 Thing You Can Do To Beat Them

Samey Stories = YAWN! There are always samey stories that make multiple appearances in the spec pile, yet are told by different writers. I call them “Zeitgeist” stories. This is from the German Geist (spirit) and Zeit (time), because frequently it will be something like an anniversary , a particular news story,  (and most often) a hit TV show or movie that means writers all come up with the same idea, at the same time. Zeitgeist stories should not be confused with story archetypes/staples like “fish out of water” comedies or “cops n’ docs” precinct dramas. These are frequently actively desired… Read More »4 Ways Samey Stories Happen … And 1 Thing You Can Do To Beat Them

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Have Script Levels Improved Over The Last Decade?

At the weekend, James DeMarco asked me on Twitter: “With the proliferation of online script analysts, screenwriting advice, etc in past decade, has level of submissions improved?” Teenie Russell very helpfully put the whole Twitter thread on Storify, which you can view here. As you’ll see the conversation went on to such things as career advancement, development and peer review, so I thought I would expand here. The bad news: Same old, same old. I’ve been reading scripts for over ten years now and can confirm that despite script advice being everywhere, the same problems with character and structure remain in… Read More »Have Script Levels Improved Over The Last Decade?

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The Great Writing Myth: How To REALLY Make It As A Writer

Wanted: Great Writing GREAT WRITING (ie. original and well-written) sells, right? That’s logical. So if I focus on ‘great writing’, I figured I would get there in the end. After all, that *had* to be what the AUDIENCE wants, right??? But as a script reader, I was LEFT AGOG when what **I** thought were derivative, crappily-written scripts made their way to screen. But then I decided it was just a freak occurrence and toddled off on my way… … Then it happened again. … And again. … Over And Over … Again. Argh!!! Originality is overrated I started to notice that… Read More »The Great Writing Myth: How To REALLY Make It As A Writer

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