Rochester Writers Workshop

Check out this free webinar from Stage 32 and Netflix on “Television Pilot Story Structure.” Register today, then login and watch on Dec. 15.

https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Netflix-%20-Stage-32-Present-Television-Pilot-Story-Structure-With-Case-Studies-of-LUPIN-SUCCESSION-THE-EXPANSE-and-THE-M

Here’s a fascinating document that was used to help sell the series Stranger Things, originally titled Montauk. It contains images from other films (Jaws, E.T., FIrestarter) that evoke the 80s aesthetic and inspiration from the works of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King.

Check it out at:
https://scriptpipeline.com/stranger-things-bible

Stage 32 is a website and blog that offers a community for aspiring filmmakers. Each year they promote the “November Write Club.” The challenge is to pick a goal and dedicate yourself to seeing it through.

• That first draft you need to finish? Get on it.
• That adaptation you’ve been tinkering around with? Knock it out.
• That reel that you’ve been wanting for yourself? Build it.
• Give yourself a goal or a set of goals that are challenging, but attainable.

The second part of the “November Write Club” challenge is to lift up your fellow participants and make sure to congratulate them on their successes, encourage them when they face setbacks or challenges, and celebrate their dedication to the craft.

Share your process in the ocmments on the Stage 32 blog.

https://www.stage32.com/blog/Join-Us-for-the-7th-Annual-November-Write-Club

Four screenwriting secrets… Follow the link below to hear more about them!

• Setups for Believability
• Don’t Let Your Antagonist Disappear
• Dramatic Irony for Comedy
• Fatal Flaws

https://youtu.be/x3RnrZzzB2k

Michael Arndt, screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine and Toy Story 3, shows us in this short video how to set up your first act, and therefore set up the whole movie.

http://www.pandemoniuminc.com/beginnings-video

Jamie, Jimmy and Bob are cursed with questions while breaking down the script to The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Personally, I enjoyed the film — despite the script problems, it had several engaging horror sequences, good acting, and powerful imagery. As a story, if felt more like an episode of a Warrens TV show. (I kept thinking of the X-Files.) So the main characters’ motivations are a little weak, just wanting to solve the mystery of the curse.

Listen to the breakdown at
https://thundergrunt.com/e/writersblockbusters-062-the-conjuring-the-devil-made-me-do-it/

In this Film Courage video, several screenwriters and authors share their tips for writing better dialogue. This is a long video, great to dip into for inspiration!

https://youtu.be/qfQpJxRP8ew

Listen up to hear how screenwriters feel about the hot new animated film from Netflix. Writers/Blockbusters is a podcast where the hosts watch movies and discuss the screenwriting/storytelling tricks/tips that they represent. According to co-host Jamie Nash, this episode might just be the greatest. Check it out:

https://thundergrunt.com/e/writersblockbusters-061-the-mitchells-vs-the-machines/