Recommended Screenwriters

When it comes to screenwriting, one of the more difficult experiences to create is intrigue. Below is part of the of one of the lessons from the Pushing The Envelope Screenwriting Class that will provide some insight into intrigue.   With SUSPENSE, the reader is worried, wondering, waiting for the solution. SURPRISE, on the other

Is it really possible to be edgy and subtle at the same time? Read this scene and see. Many of you have seen the movie KISS, KISS, BANG, BANG, written and directed by Shane Black. It is an edgy Indie flick that is filled with fresh writing. In some places, I think it goes a

When an audience thinks they know where you are going, it is an opportune moment to surprise them with something unexpected. One of the formats for fresh writing is “The Unexpected Response.” This is one of my favorite techniques when used correctly. The setup sends our minds in one direction and then we get surprised

Screenwriter Richard Senne (ProSeries 14) was hired to adapt the novel, “On The Edge of  Unthinkable,” into a screenplay.  He’ll receive a “Written by” credit for his work on the screenplay. “On The Edge of Unthinkable” is a true story written by Paula A. Kyle about her experiences in foster care. Richard’s adaptation will be

Screenwriter Si Dunn (ProSeries 3) has had yet another script optioned.  This time, with director Stephen Jules Rubin and has just secured distributor FilmWorks Entertainment Inc. for the movie. Wes Studi (Avatar, Last of the Mohicans), Maura Dhu Studi, and Anthony Arkin (son of Alan Arkin) are all attached to the project. The movie, “Criminal Conversations”,

I talk with other producers on a regular basis and yesterday, I had one ask me if I ever read the loglines listed on the Net. He was talking about a service that lists loglines and sends them out to producers. Here was his comment: “I found a couple of good ones, but I had

When producers read a comedy screenplay, they are looking for one thing — DO THEY LAUGH? And then, how often do they laugh? You could also make them smile, chuckle, smirk, etc. But the one thing that you absolutely have to do is cause them to laugh out loud. And if you really want to

After spending a year writing and rewriting his fourth script, a writer finally got it in the hands of three producers who all responded to his query letter. Every day, he waited for a call or letter, but nothing happened. Finally, to end the suspense, he called one of the producers. Writer: Hi, I’m the

Some of the greatest writers use irony to create more interesting characters, scenes, and even plots.  In some writing circles, it is considered to be one of the marks of a genius. Let’s take a look at a scene that did a great job of using irony and see what we can learn. First a

Screenwriter Don Macnab-Stark (ProSeries 6) has been hired to co-write a screenplay. The script, titled “Rabid,” will be directed and produced by Brian Lawrence of Planet Four Films. Production for the movie is scheduled to start in a month, giving Don a tight deadline for a screenwriter.   He had 10 days to turn in