I’ve been checking out Stage 32 community posts more often lately, and there’s plenty of filmmakers talking about screenwriting there.
Here’s a recent thread about whether to print your screenplays, or leave them as digital PDF files for review.
https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Desk-Real-Estate-and-Printing-Protocol
We get questions often about the best software to write with. Yes, Final Draft is the 800-pound-gorilla of screenwriting, but there are other alternatives. Making PDF files is what’s important! And some software (like Highland and WriterDuet) will import and export Final Draft’s FDX format as well.
My favorite free apps are TRELBY for PC users and HIGHLAND 2 for Mac users. See more options, with links to their sites, at
https://www.rwwny.org/software/
Check out this free webinar from Stage 32 and Netflix on “Television Pilot Story Structure.” Register today, then login and watch on Dec. 15.
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.
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!
Thanks to all who took part in the 2021 Scriptitude event. Check out the link below for the archival video of the reading of short screenplays.
This Rochester Writers Workshop event was made possible with sponsorship from Script Studio.
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.
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!