I often search the #screenwriting hashtag on twitter for articles and discussion, and this tweet from Jeanne Veillette Bowerman rang true for me. Hearing actors read and perform your words is so important to becoming a better writer!

See more from the thread at
https://twitter.com/jeannevb/status/1533611949317046273

Here’s a good article from ISA Insider, a site I just discovered that has plenty of great screenwriting content. What are some things that will turn off a potential reader of your work? Writer Lee Jessup talks about passive protagonists, lacking character descriptions, over-written action, dialogue that becomes monologue, and other wrong moves.

Check it out at
https://www.networkisa.org/articles/view/dont-ruin-a-good-read-screenwriting-mistakes-to-avoid

I recently discovered Vimeo has a blog of how-to articles on filmmaking. Tons of movie making tips there. Here’s an introductory article about formatting for beginning screenwriters.

Check it out at
https://vimeo.com/blog/post/screenplay-formatting/

Sign up for a free Stage 32 account and you’ll have access to the latest in a series of webinars on writing, sponsored by Netflix. The latest on writing Sci-Fi scripts for streaming television is from Mickey Fisher, creator and showrunner (CBS’s EXTANT, NBC’s REVERIE, National Geographic’s MARS).

Check it out at
https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Netflix-%20-Stage-32-Present-Sci-Fi-with-Stage-32-Educator-Mickey-Fisher

A recent episode of Scriptnotes featured special guests Leigh Whannell (Saw, Upgrade, Invisible Man) and astrophysicist/science consultant Dr. Erin Macdonald (Star Trek). They looked at cutting edge areas of science to see what the storytelling possibilities could be.

Some great sci-fi brainstorming in this episode!

Check it out at https://johnaugust.com/2022/science-movies

We’ve talked before about the excellent video lectures from screenwriter Michael Arndt. Well, it came to my attention that he now has a Youtube channel. The content there is much the same as was on his website, but some of his longer lectures are broken down into smaller chunks.

Also, there’s one I don’t remember seeing before, specifically about what he learned in writing Toy Story 3 with the Pixar staff. Arndt does a great job of explaining their process and how it can be applied to live action filmmaking too.

Check it out at: https://youtu.be/FBcwt3QlY_8

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.

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