Writers and filmmakers often need to generate interest in their work by creating materials such as a pitch deck. Aaron Davis showcases his design work, sharing great examples of pitch decks and posters.
See more at:
https://aarondavis.com/the-tracks-tv-series-pitch-deck
Over on Stage 32, writer Maurice Vaughan started a list of themes he uses in his work. Take a look, maybe some will spark with you!
Remember, a theme need not be profound. It’s just a life lesson that a character is confronted with in your story. If they learn their lesson, change for the better, that’s usually a happy ending. If they don’t learn from the theme, it’s a tragedy.
Some sample themes:
– Think before you act
– Don’t give up on those you love
– Put aside your differences
– Let go of the past
– Respect one another
And a favorite of RWW:
– You can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.
See more at:
https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Theme-List
What do you get when you ask AI to write a screenplay? The answer may surprise you.
https://www.pcmag.com/articles/i-used-ai-to-write-a-screenplay-heres-what-i-got
The screenwriting software from John August, Highland, got a new version this week. (It’s now called Highland Pro.) Unfortunately, it’s moved to a subscription model. I gladly paid a one-time fee for Highland 2 a few years ago… which I suppose I’ll never be able to install again? Still a fine program with some interesting new features, but if you’re an amateur writer, you may not want to spend $60 a year until the end of your days. Certainly if you make your living writing, it’s different. However, I’m not writing every week, or even every month.
The news prompted me to update the recommended software page here on the Rochester Writers Workshop website. A lot of writing software has jumped in price in the last few years! As before, if you’re looking for free on Windows or Linux, try TRELBY. Free software for the Mac is hard to come by, unless you’re using the first-free-script option with freemium apps like WriterDuet or Studiobinder. Sadly, Celtx doesn’t appear to have a free plan anymore.
I’ve been using Scrivener, which is a one-time $60 fee (or $50 educational pricing). I like that it has notecard options and ways to maintain sub-documents and photos for research purposes. One drawback is I’ll have to buy it again if I want it on both my Mac and PC laptop.
Here’s the updated RWW software page:
https://www.rwwny.org/software/
See if you can limit your use of adverbs. Instead, use descriptive verbs. Why “walk irregularly” when you can “lurch”?
From the “Writers Write” blog at https://www.writerswrite.co.za/115-ways-to-say-walk/
Keep your reader engaged! Use alternate vocabulary for verbs like “look” and “walk”.
See more lists here:
https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/90-words-for-looks-and-115-words-for-walks-d1e24566faec
Kent Lamm of Standard Story Company has a terrific video this week called “3 Traps of Short Film Writing” about the traps many filmmakers fall into when writing their shorts. They are, in brief:
1) Scope
2) Redundancy
3) Lack of “Dramatic Writing”
What’s he mean by all that? Check out the video here:
There are a finite number of story types. Which one is yours?
https://screencraft.org/blog/45-story-archetypes-screenwriters-should-master
This week’s Scriptnotes podcast is an interview with Linda Wolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King).
Scriptnotes Podcast (356 – Writing Animated Movies
https://scriptnotes.libsyn.com/356-writing-animated-movies-encore
This is a great show for those wondering how animated features are written and produced. You don’t just walk in the front door at Disney and sell a spec! 🙂
They talk a lot about how animation writers are not part of the WGA. Good to know if you want to be a working writer with benefits and residuals.
How do you choose last names for your characters? Here’s a comprehensive list of surnames and what they mean.
https://babynames.com/blogs/nameinfo/1000-most-popular-last-names-in-the-u-s