Russell Edwards    Screenwriter
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RUSSELL'S FEATURE SPECS
    • THE STATUE IN THE PARK
    • SANTA'S WISH LIST
    • THE MAGIC CANVAS
  • CONTACT
    • EXTRA

Screenwriting -- Writing your first feature screenplay

31/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Where to start?

There are no hard and fast rules to this.

But if I had to do it again.

This is probably a route I would consider taking.
  1. Do you have an idea that you think will make a movie?

  2. Is this an idea that you think you can expand and turn into a story?

  3. How long have you been letting this idea brew in your subconscious?

  4. Have you written down lots and lot of ideas and notes for it? Characters, scenes that you would like to see in it? The beginning, middle and the end of the movie? How will your main character get from A to B to C?

If you have all this, that's great. Now you need to structure everything into a story and put it into screenplay format. But you've never done this before. You have no idea where to start.

Before you get started:

Read 20 produced screenplays. Ones that are in the same genre as the one you want to write. If you want to write a horror. Read horror. If you want to write a comedy, read comedies.

Then watch the movies and see how things translate from the page onto the screen. Have a look at how they do it. When do things happen to the main characters? At what point does the main character's life change? When does the protagonist leave their comfort zone?

These are the types of things you need to be looking for.

After you've done this. Reread the screenplay.

  • Read Screenplay
  • Watch movie
  • Reread Screenplay

Now you need to join a peer review site where you can read amateur screenplays. Out of all the ones on the web, my favorite one is Trigger Street Labs.

Lots of information.

And the best thing. It's all free.

You need to start reviewing screenplays. If you've never done this before. It can take a bit of getting used to. Especially if you don't actually know what you're looking for because you're just starting out yourself.

So before you do your first review of a screenplay. You need to go to the forum and check out how the spotlighted reviewers do their reviews. Find out how they review and evaluate a screenplay.

  • CONCEPT
  • STORY
  • STRUCTURE
  • THEME
  • CHARACTER
  • DIALOGUE

This is one of the best ways to learn how to structure a screenplay.

You now need to start reviewing and giving feedback.

It doesn't matter what genre you get. You're here to read and give an honest evaluation of the screenplays you read.

Before you even consider even writing that first screenplay.

You will need to read and evaluate around 20-30 screenplays to start. You'll find that the more amateur screenplays you read , the better your feedback will get. You'll start noticing things and trends that will help when you come to writing and structuring the story of that first screenplay.

While you're doing this, you should be coming up with plenty of ideas for your screenplay. The more you have, the easier it will be to structure your story.

Once you've done this. You need to start structuring your story.

ACT 1


Setting up your main characters.

What does your main character want and need?

What are their internal and external goals?

ACT 2

Probably the toughest of the acts to write.

What's the main plot?

What are the secondary plots?

Does the main plot cross the secondary plot?

This is where you get the ups and downs of the story.

ACT 3

Does the guy win the girl?

Does the good guy defeat the bad guy?

Usually the ending is the opposite of the start?

Not all the time. But usually it's the opposite.

The above is pretty simplistic. But it gives you a rough idea as to what should happen.

I wouldn't buy any books at this stage either.

You pretty much want to write this on your own, under your own steam with no one else's influence.

You now need to write it.

Give yourself a deadline. Twelve weeks should be enough. Especially if you've planned and outlined it well.

Once you've written it. You need to put it away for a couple of weeks. While it's sitting in a drawer. Come up with other ideas for other projects.

After two weeks, come back to it and go through it.

Rewrite scenes if you need to. Change dialogue etc.

Now you need to upload that sucker onto Trigger Street Labs and get some feedback. This can be quite daunting and you need to grow a thick skin. Because some reviews will get under your skin. But remember, this is for a good cause. This is to improve your story in the long run.

While reviews are coming in. You should continue reviewing.

You'll probably want around 10 to 20 reviews.

Make sure you print off the reviews before taking down your screenplay.

Put it away for a week and come back to it and the reviews with an open mind and fresh eyes. As writers, we can get too close to our work.

Look for common areas and problems that have been brought up.

Perhaps ACT 1 is too slow.

Maybe you have a couple of characters that could be combined into one.

Maybe you need to cut pages because it's too long. Ideally 85 – 115 pages or less.

Then the rewriting starts after this.

Good Luck.
0 Comments

Screenwriting -- In Conversation with Simon Beaufoy

30/10/2012

0 Comments

 
A few notes I made during the session with Simon Beaufoy at the London Screenwriters' Festival 2012.

  • Keep ideas simple.
  • You want to engage the reader from the very first page.
  • If you're doing an adaptation -- make sure you layer the story.
  • Make sure that the character journeys are satisfying.

Sometimes it's good to write what you know.
It can be equally as good to write about what you don't know.

In order to have a clear vision of the world you want to create.  You need to do the RESEARCH.

No need to add specific music to a screenplay.

Being able to take notes and understand problem areas within a screenplay.

BE OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS!

LISTEN.

Keep REFINING & TIGHTENING YOUR WORK.

Layer your scenes -- Make them rich.

What do I need my CHARACTERS to do within the context of the STORY?
What would they do in the situation and circumstances they find themselves in?

Character ACTIONS & CHOICES must be believable.

TRUST YOUR VOICE and the IDEAS in your HEAD.
0 Comments

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

30/10/2012

0 Comments

 
YODA
No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.
0 Comments

Screenwriting -- How to get Hollywood to pay attention (and Money)

30/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Notes taken from Luke Ryan's session at London Screenwriters' Festival 2012

Most Important Things

Know and understand who you're pitching and querying to.

  • AGENTS -- want to make money -- lots of money.
  • MANAGERS -- want to be producers -- they take an active part in developing you as a writer.
  • PRODUCERS -- want to get movies made.
  • STUDIO EXECUTIVES -- don't want to get fired.
  • ASSISTANTS -- want promotion.
  • LAWYERS -- want to argue, I'm sure the money's a bonus as well.
  • TALENT -- Actors want to stay exactly where they are.
  • READERS -- want to be writers -- as writers, you need to take away the reasons for them to say NO!

Writers earn a living by writing.

  • Majority of work through assignments.
  • Assignments gained through reputation for great creative delivery.
  • Need an AMAZING SAMPLE.
  • That SAMPLE SHOULD BE A SPEC.
  • Well written, story told well.
  • Selling it is a bonus.

As a writer you should be easy to work with.
And have excellent ideas for projects.

PURPOSE OF PITCH

To make the person you're pitching to say:

"I have to READ/BUY that!"

Using as few words as possible.

CONFLICT most important component of STORY.

Testing HERO.

CONCEPT and PREMISE

Concept = BIG IDEA
Premise = The way into the BIG IDEA.

Ideally the story needs to be:

  • FOUR QUADRANT
  • INTERNATIONAL
  • HIGH CONCEPT -- Easy to get/sell
  • A huge event -- TENT POLE -- SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER

LOGLINES

A Good logline:

Captures the most interesting ideas in the story within one or two sentences.
Gives us a clear idea of character, tone and stakes.
Two vital parts

The BUT and the MUST.

GIVES US A

A (CHARACTER) sets out to (ACHIEVE A GOAL),  but (RUNS INTO AN UNEXPECTED & SOMETIMES IRONIC OBSTACLE) and must (GROW IN A WAY TO TRIUMPH OR FACE CERTAIN DOOM).

Is this something other people want to see?
Is this something I can write the hell out of?

QUERYING

-- Managers
-- Agents
-- Producers

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO WORK THE ASSISTANTS


Find out who writes like/similar to you?

Actually do a proper letter rather than email.

  1. Polite opening
  2. Logline
  3. A paragraph about who you are.
  4. Past accomplishments
  5. What you're currently working on.
  6. What projects are you finishing next.
0 Comments

Screenwriting -- Is your screenplay the best it could be?

30/10/2012

0 Comments

 
A few notes I took from Kate Leys' session.

The central character must want something.  They have a goal to achieve.

What are the stakes?  They must be important to the main character.
Conflict -- As the story progresses, make things worse for the protagonist.
Take them out of their comfort zone.
How does the ending play out?  Make sure it's an emotional ending and satisfying to the audience.  Chances are the audience will remember the ending if it's good.

To summarize:

What's the central idea that holds the story together?

Who's story is this?
What do they want?
Why can't they have it?
What do they need in order to understand?
What does the protagonist get at the end that they did not have at the start?

10 things that can go wrong while writing a story.

  1. VEERING -- Sliding off course -- the story goes off on a tangent
  2. NOTHING HAPPENS -- Imagine if you are the reader.  You need to capture their attention as soon as possible and keep them glued to the page.
  3. WHO'S THE PROTAGONIST?  WHO ARE WE FOLLOWING?
  4. NOBODY WANTS ANYTHING? -- Instead of proactive characters, we have a bunch of characters reacting to the situation.  This is very boring.  Make sure your characters, especially the main protagonist is ACTIVE rather than REACTIVE.
  5. LACK OF CONFLICT -- everyone gets along.  Look at LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE ( if you haven't watched it, I suggest you watch it and read the screenplay) -- if the family all got along in that -- it would make for a very boring movie.
  6. LEAVING PARTS OF THE STORY OFF THE PAGE -- sometimes you'll have characters mention things that happened rather than showing them.  Sometimes it's better to SHOW rather than TELL.  It also adds more flavor and depth to the story.
  7. PLOT, BUT NO STORY.  Make sure you have INTERNAL and EXTERNAL GOALS for your protagonist.
  8. THIRTY PAGES IN -- still nothing happening.
  9. ENACTING NOT DRAMATIZES
  10. STORY SEARCHING FOR MEANING -- what's the protagonist's internal goal?

0 Comments

Screenwriting -- Manifesting Success 

29/10/2012

0 Comments

 
London Screenwriters' Festival 2012
I jotted down a few lines during this session.

  • We are meaning making machines!
  • Say what you do, do what you say.
  • TAKE ACTION!
  • If you have a GREAT IDEA!  Whether it's for a screenplay, short film, get on with it and DO IT!
  • Thinking about it isn't going to get you anywhere.

Picture
  • Don't let the past dictate the present or the  future.
  • Concentrate on the here and now.

Hope that makes sense.

N.B. If you're returning next year. Well worth going to if your schedule allows it.
0 Comments

Screenwriting -- 50 Screenwriter Survival Tips

29/10/2012

0 Comments

 
London Screenwriters' Festival 2012
50_tips_writer.pdf
File Size: 4915 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

0 Comments

The Terminator (1984)

23/10/2012

0 Comments

 
KYLE REESE
Listen, and understand.  That terminator is out there.
It can't be bargained with.  It can't be reasoned with.  It
doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear.  And it absolutely
will not stop, ever, until you are dead.
0 Comments

Taxi Driver (1976)

23/10/2012

0 Comments

 
TRAVIS BICKLE
You talkin' to me?  You talkin' to me?  You talkin' to me?
Then who the hell else are you talking... you talking to
me?  Well I'm the only one here.  Who the fuck do you
think you're talking to?  Oh yeah?  OK.
0 Comments

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

19/10/2012

0 Comments

 
DARTH VADER
If you only knew the power of the Dark Side. Obi-Wan
never told you what happened to your father.

LUKE
He told me enough! He told me *you* killed him!

DARTH VADER
No. *I* am your father.
0 Comments

Unforgiven (1992)

18/10/2012

0 Comments

 
LITTLE BILL DAGGETT
I don't deserve this... to die like this. I was building a house.

WILL MUNNY
Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.

Aims gun.

LITTLE BILL DAGGETT
I'll see you in hell, William Munny.

WILL MUNNY
Yeah.

Fires.
0 Comments

Plot holes, and the myth of perseveraversity

18/10/2012

0 Comments

 
John August and Craig Mazin discuss Frankenweenie and Superhero.  And other things related to writing.

0 Comments

TV Shows

17/10/2012

0 Comments

 
I was thinking of all the shows on TV that I've enjoyed watching over the last 17 years or so over the weekend.

Let's see.

  • The X Files
  • This Life – British show
  • American Gothic – Not sure why this series was axed.
  • My So Called Life – I think this one was axed as well.
  • Murder One – The first series.
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer
  • Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles – Did not understand why this series was axed.
  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The original series.
  • Law & Order – The original series
  • Firefly
  • Chicago Hope
  • NCIS
  • ER
  • Rome
  • Glee
  • True Blood

I'm sure there are others that I've forgotten.

So it was nice to see two new series pop up on the small screen over the last two years.

It's not often you get two shows coming along at once on TV that are good. That have a good cast, good production values and are well written with characters that you can go on a journey with. In my opinion, TV is a lot different to movies.

I really want to see a lot of character development with good story lines and good production values. All too often I'll start watching a series on TV, only to be disappointed by the lack of character development.  With very poor production values.  No effort put into the show at all.

In regard to character development in a movie. Again this depends on the genre of the movie. Not every movie needs strong character development, but it does need to be entertaining, and logical to some degree. But I'm going off on a tangent.

I decided to treat myself over the weekend to the entire series of Game of Thrones (2011).  I'd been hearing a lot of good things about it. And I have to say, that's one heck of series. I'm unfamiliar with the source material so I can't comment on how closely the TV series follows it.

But as far as entertainment goes, it certainly scores a 10/10. In a way it reminded me of the first series of ROME, except this has the fantasy element in it which I'm partial to. Nothing like a bit of sorcery. But that side of it doesn't come into play until the second series. And I'm hoping this aspect will play strong in future series. I know there are five novels written so far by George R. R. Martin. So there's plenty of material to dig into and work from, which I'm looking forward to.

The other series that I've been following is The Walking Dead based on the black and white comics created by writer Robert Kirkman[2] and artist Tony Moore (who was later replaced by Charlie Adlard).

I know some will say that the second series sucked because it was set in one location and that not much happened, but I think this was because of budget constraints etc.  You can only do what the budget allows.

In my opinion both shows are pretty damn good. Good cast, great writing and good production values.

Hopefully in time and with no future cuts to budgets, both these shows will progress and grow even bigger.

They both have a wealth of source material to work from, only time will tell.

As far as the list above.

I wish they'd bring back:

  • Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Never understood why this was axed.
  • The X Files - This might be difficult to do.  But it can be done.

Going off on a tangent here.

But it would also be great to see these two shows revived at some point:

  • The Twilight Zone
  • The Outer Limits

Two favorites of mine.

Mustn't forget Downton Abbey.  Great cast.  Well written.  Great production values.
0 Comments

Erin Brockovich (2000)

10/10/2012

0 Comments

 
ERIN BROCKOVICH
Look, I don't know shit about shit
but I know right from wrong!
0 Comments

Screenwriting -- What does a reader do?

10/10/2012

0 Comments

 
A nice little article on what a reader does and how they go about evaluating a screenplay.
Here.
0 Comments

Hanna (2011)

10/10/2012

0 Comments

 
HANNA
Kissing requires a total of 34 facial muscles, and
112 postural muscles. The most important muscle
involved is the orbicularis oris muscle, because it
is used to pucker the lips.
0 Comments

Tron (1982)

6/10/2012

0 Comments

 
There are movies that set a benchmark for others to follow.
BLUE LEADER
This is Blue Leader to Blue Bikes. Run these guys into your jet walls.

BLUE BIKE #1
Copy Blue Leader.

BLUE BIKE #2
Copy Blue Leader.

TRON
This is Gold-1 to Gold-2 and 3. Split up.
Take them one-on-one.

BLUE LEADER
Watch it! Watch it!

BLUE BIKE #1
(Tron corners him between a light wall and his own trail)
Aah!

BLUE LEADER
I'm taking him into the maze.

KEVIN FLYNN
This is it. Come on. Gold-3 to Gold-2 and 1. I'm
getting out of here right now, and you guys are invited.

RAM
Got it.

TRON
Ready?

RAM
Ready!

TRON
So long, suckers.

KEVIN FLYNN
Greetings, programs!

ANNOUNCER
Video game warriors escaping game grid. This
is an illegal exit. You must return to game grid.
Repeat! This is an illegal exit. You must return to the grid.
0 Comments

Superman -- Man of Steel (2013)

6/10/2012

0 Comments

 
I'm a big fan of

  • Superman The Movie and
  • Superman II
Although I do think they made a mistake when they got rid of Richard Donner.

So when I heard about Man of Steel I was extremely pleased.

Superman Returns had all the elements, but it seemed to miss the mark and was basically going over ground that had already been covered.
I know Zack Snyder received some flack over Watchmen and Sucker Punch, but I thought they were pretty good. A little dark perhaps, but I thought they were pretty entertaining. I'm hoping Man of Steel won't be too dark. The character of Superman is not Batman, but we'll have to wait and see.

He also did a remarkable job on the Dawn of the Dead remake.

My only gripe at this time. Is the lack of a good trailer. I really think the studio could put together a better 2 minute clip than the one that is presently available. It's all right, but it's not exactly riveting or exciting.  And we are in October now.
Also if they are rebooting the Superman franchise, they should seriously consider setting up the characters and laying down a strong foundation for a Justice League movie. It seems to be taking a very long time. 
Anyway, looking forward to it.
0 Comments

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

4/10/2012

0 Comments

 
ARAGORN
Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands.

GIMLI
Then it has all been in vain ... the
Fellowship has failed.

ARAGORN
Not if we hold true to each other. We
will not abandon Merry and Pippin to
torment and death, not while we have
strength left.

ARAGORN pulls a HUNTING KNIFE out of his pack and straps it on.

ARAGORN
Leave all that can be spared behind.

CLOSE ON: ARAGORN ... a steely light in his eye.

ARAGORN
(grimly)
We travel light. Let’s hunt some Orc.

GIMLI
Yes! Ha!
0 Comments

Screenwriting -- A few interesting articles 

3/10/2012

0 Comments

 
  • When Will My Screenplay Be Done?

  • 10 Ways to know your script is finished.

  • Is Your Script Really Ready For The Market?
0 Comments

The Dark Knight (2008)

1/10/2012

0 Comments

 
THE JOKER
Don't talk like one of them. You're not! Even if you'd
like to be. To them, you're just a freak, like me! They
need you right now, but when they don't, they'll cast
you out, like a leper! You see, their morals, their code,
it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're
only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you.
When the chips are down, these... these civilized people,
they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just
ahead of the curve.
0 Comments
    Contact
    Welcome to Russell’s website. A storyteller who enjoys writing screenplays for movies. Even though the process is hard. It keeps his imagination working overtime.



    RSS Feed


    Categories

    All
    60 Screenwriter Survival Tips
    80s TV - Setting A Benchmark!
    An Interesting Year For Movies!
    Books
    Discipline And Commitment
    Disney -- Video Shorts
    Favorite Scripts I've Read
    Favorite TV Shows Of 2014
    Favorite TV Shows Of 2015
    Favorite TV Shows Of 2016
    Favorite TV Shows Of 2017
    Favorite TV Shows Of 2019
    Favorite TV Shows Of 2020
    Film Adaptations
    Film Scores
    Finding Your Voice
    How Do I Come Up With Story Ideas?
    How To Write A Constructive Review
    Improve Your Screenplay
    Inspirational Videos
    Interesting
    Loglines
    London Screenwriters' Festival 2012
    Movie Quotes
    Movie Scores
    Movies That I Enjoyed -- 2012
    Movies That I Enjoyed -- 2013
    Movies That I Enjoyed -- 2014
    Movies That I Enjoyed -- 2015
    Movies That I Enjoyed -- 2016
    Movies That I Enjoyed -- 2017
    Movies That I Enjoyed -- 2018
    Movies That I Enjoyed -- 2019
    Movie Trailers
    Pixar
    Podcasts About Screenwriting
    Podcasts About Screenwriting
    Quotes
    Screenplay Analysis
    Screenplay Feedback
    Screenplays Worth Reading!
    Screenwriting Articles
    Screenwriting Contests
    Screenwriting - Getting Ideas
    Screenwriting M.F.A. Debate
    Screenwriting -- Receiving Notes & Feedback
    Star Wars
    Story Structure
    Television
    The 2014 Blood List
    The 80s - Welcome To The World Of Fantasy!
    The Black List 2012
    The Black List 2013
    The Black List 2014
    The Daily Grind
    These Movies Need A Remake
    Top Ten Movies
    Video Game Trailers
    Videos About Screenwriting
    Writing That Novel


    Blog Archives

    March 2021
    December 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011


    Take a Look

    WCMartell
    John August
    Wordplay
    Craig Mazin
    Done Deal Pro
    Movie Bytes
    London Screenwriters' Festival
    Screenwriting from Iowa
    Bang2Write
    Chris Jones Blog
    Go Into The Story
    UK Scriptwriters
    Nerdist Writer's Panel
    Deadline
    The Bitter Script Reader
    ScreenwritingU
    Screenplay.com
    Corey Mandell
    The Hollywood Reporter
    Variety
    WGAW
    U.S. Copyright Office
    Inside Film Magazine
    Screen International
    Scriptchat
    Save the Cat
    The Black List

    Writers & their Blogs

    The Scriptwriter
    David Sartof
    Scripting Life
    Bamboo Killers
    Selling Your Screenplay
    Script Doctor Eric
    Geoff La Tulippe


    about.me/russelledwards

    Web Counter Free
    Site Web Counter

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RUSSELL'S FEATURE SPECS
    • THE STATUE IN THE PARK
    • SANTA'S WISH LIST
    • THE MAGIC CANVAS
  • CONTACT
    • EXTRA