Time And Place

I was reminded of the song, "White Rabbit," when I heard it on a movie soundtrack recently. This led to me listening to Surrealistic Pillow, an album by The Jefferson Airplane and searching for information about the band on YouTube.

Grace Slick, the lead singer was always one of my idols, and I found this clip of her talking about going on tour with The Doors, another favorite band, fascinating because of its insights about the 60s.

Writers should always consider time and place when writing and I hope this clip will help you think about the when and where of your own story.

World Cup Of Sports Movies (Quarterfinals)

So far, more than 1000 different people have participated in the World Cup Of Sports Movies and I couldn't be happier. Hopefully your votes have helped your favorite sports classics advance to this - The Quarterfinals.


HOOSIERS vs. MIGHTY DUCKS

RAGING BULL vs. CADDYSHACK


HE GOT GAME vs. SLAP SHOT

ROCKY vs. CHARIOTS OF FIRE


Voting for this round has ended. Thank you for voting.

The Great American PitchFest

I'm in Los Angeles for this year's Great American PitchFest. It's a great event (kudos to Signe, Bob and Laura for organizing it each year) and I was excited to see so many enthusiastic and accomplished writers at the class I taught about The Four Magic Questions Of Screenwriting.

I've brought my video camera with me and will take the time to interview writers and producers about their impressions of the event and how to be successful when pitching your work. I have included the first video with this post but if you want to receive the rest of the series, sign up for my mailing list above.

Good luck and happy writing.

Musical Stunt Doubles

Nine In The Afternoon - Panic At The Disco (Jessica Alba & Friends)



Can't Tell Me Nothing - Kanye West (Zach Galifianakis)



Not About Love - Fiona Apple (Zach Galifianakis)



I Want Love - Elton John (Robert Downey Jr.)



Call Me Al - Paul Simon (Chevy Chase)



Tik Tok - Ke$ha (The Cast Of The Simpsons)

The Secret Of Pitching

I will be presenting and offering private consultations at this year’s Great American PitchFest. Since many of you will be attending this event, or pitching in a similar situation, I thought I would share the pitching tips and tricks that have helped my private students succeed.

The Most Important Rule Of Pitching: You must bait the hook to suit the fish.

How do you do that? You need to do these three things:

A Strong Title
This may be the hardest part of the whole process, but you must fight for it. It's the first contact a reader, producer, agent or actor will have with your material. The title should suggest what type of story you are telling and tease the audience's imagination. They want to know what they are seeing before they buy it. For example, a title such as "Date Night," suggests a romantic comedy, "Nightmare on Elm Street " sounds like a horror film and "Insomnia" sounds like a thriller. By finding the right title for your work, you have already overcome many problems.

Identify The Genre
Few films are purely one genre or another, but identifying the main genre is the key. Little Miss Sunshine is clearly not only a comedy, but is more comedy than drama, so you would pitch a story like that as a comedy. Screenplays are products like anything else and by knowing what you're selling it will be easier to identify who will see your script and who will buy it. Basic genres include but are not limited to: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Thriller and Action. There are other genres and sub-genres to consider as well. Look up films similar to your own at IMBD or Netflix to determine in what genre you are writing.

Create A Logline
A logline is a one-to-five sentence summary of what the story is about. This is also a way of testing if your script has all of the elements it needs to get a "yes." Does it have: a strong main character with a clear goal that either is achieved or forfeit? Does it suggest the plot in as few words as possible? Does it suggest your script's "hook," that plot element which makes your story unique? For example, the "hook" in the Usual Suspects is that the narrator turns out to be the villain.
My technique for accomplishing the above is to ask one question: What is your main character's dream?

In my writing system, The Four Magic Questions of Screenwriting, I encourage writers to answer this question before they begin to write, but answering the question at the pitching stage will help you focus your pitch because most successful movies are character driven and great characters are the way to attract successful actors to play the parts, which is one way to break into the industry. For example, my student Caytha Jentis was able to attract Vanessa Williams, Ben Vereen and Eartha Kitt to her film And Then Came Love because the character parts were so well written.

Putting It All Together:

Find a title that suggests what kind of film you have written and stimulates the imagination.

Identify the genre, and the "hook," the twist that makes your story unique.
Create a logline that focuses on one character's dream and whether or not he or she achieves it.

Here's a bonus tip: Once you have organized these three elements of your pitch, the last part of baiting the hook is to see if your "fish" (whoever you are pitching to) is "hungry" for your story. Know your "fish." Research your intended target to ascertain if they are likely to be truly interested in your story. Once you get into the room with him or her, take the time to make the connection by introducing yourself and shake hands with a smile. You should then ask what type of story they are looking for. If the script you intended to pitch doesn't fit their needs, you should also have several other stories in different states of development ready to pitch. Hopefully, one of your alternate stories will be a better fit.

Whichever story you pitch, once you have their attention, go for it, pitch the story, speaking slowly and clearly. The result you are hoping for is that he or she asks to hear more of the story, and after hearing more, wants to then read your script.

The Mentor

Ninochka, directed by Lubistch and written by Billy Wilder, may be one of the most perfect romantic comedies ever made and this scene one of the funniest I have seen.

Garbo play a humorless Bolshevik who has come to Paris to facilitate the sale of jewels. She and Melvyn Douglas meet and fall in love only to discover they are on opposite sides, as he is the person preventing the sale from happening. Just before this scene begins, she has broken it off and Douglas has followed her to this restaurant.

Billy Wilder was Lubitsch's protege. He kept a sign on his desk that read: What would Lubitsch do?

The mentor character is an important one.

In Laura, the main character falls in love with the portrait of a woman he thinks is dead. In Castaway, Tom Hanks is mentored by a basketball. And in Akeelah And The Bee, It's the quote from The Course in Miracles that inspires her. Here's the quote:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson

As an exercise:
For five minutes, have your main character tell a story to another character (Think Robert Shaw telling the story in Jaws) that answers the following two questions:

1) Who is your main character's mentor?

2) What would the sign on his or her desk say?

Mixing Genres

I came across this story and it immediately made me think of the different choices available to us as writers. For those of you that haven't heard, the twin brother of the recently deceased president of Poland is very close to winning the runoff election, and being named the new leader of the country.

As an exercise:
Take a moment to consider what genre you would write in to tell this story. Would it be a drama, where a brother bravely takes the place of his fallen sibling? Or a comedy where a hapless relative has to assume control (think King Ralph)? Or a thriller where the wrong brother actually died in the crash? Or maybe it's a science fiction piece where the twin is actually a clone... or an alien!

Quite often writers tell me they feel confined inside their story. A quick solution is to immediately imagine how your story would be different if you told it a different way. Even if you don't "use that way" in your actual movie script, you will almost certainly reveal new layers of your story.

Note: My assistant loves "pairing" movies the way that many people pair wines with food. His favorite example is The Game and The Man Who Knew Too Little. Both films are about a hero who may or may not be involved in an elaborate game. But they are VERY different films. What's your favorite movie pairing?

Little House On The Prairie

My friend Katie McLaughlin had the opportunity to interview Alison Arngrim (Nellie on Little House On The Prairie) for CNN.com.

CLICK HERE to read the whole story.

World Cup Of Sports Movies (Group of 16)

A week ago I asked you to vote for your favorite sports movies in the group stage of the World Cup Of Sports Movies. More than 500 people cast votes and we are left with this... The Group Of 16. Please cast your votes below and help your favorite sports-themed films advance to the quarterfinals.

GROUP A WINNER
Hoosiers

vs.

GROUP B RUNNER-UP
The Longest Yard


GROUP B WINNER
Rudy

vs.

GROUP A RUNNER-UP
He Got Game


GROUP C WINNER
The Mighty Ducks

vs.

GROUP D RUNNER-UP
Bad News Bears


GROUP D WINNER
Major League

vs.

GROUP C RUNNER-UP
Slap Shot


GROUP E WINNER
Bend It Like Beckham

vs.

GROUP F RUNNER-UP
Raging Bull


GROUP F WINNER
Rocky

vs.

GROUP E RUNNER-UP
Shaolin Soccer


GROUP G WINNER
Caddyshack

vs.

GROUP H RUNNER-UP
The Cutting Edge


GROUP H WINNER
Chariots Of FIre

vs.

GROUP G RUNNER-UP
Happy Gilmore

Voting for this round is completed. Thank you for participating.

Mantak Chia

I took an amazing workshop this week with Mantak Chia, a Taoist master of Chi kung. He has written 19 amazing books on the subject and has an interesting approach to wellness:

In the Taoist system, there are two brains, one in the usual place and one in the abdomen!

Whatever you think about his beliefs, he is amazing and wise, and I picked up interesting layers for one of my stories.

As an exercise:
Take a moment out of your day to learn something new. Ask a colleague to tell you about one of their interests, browse through Wikipedia or take a 10-minute YouTube class. New information means new ideas for your novels, movie scripts and plays.

Coach & Player

I'm always looking for story ideas in the media and this story is a great one. If you don't think it could be the basis for an amazing sports movie, go back and read it again. Great characters and complex relationships.

As an exercise:
If your character was an athlete who would his or her coach be, and what would the relationship be like? More Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant or Spencer Tracy/Kate Hepburn? By taking the time to decide what sort of relationship exists between your mentor and mentee, you'll learn a lot about the direction of your story.

World Cup Of Sports Movies

A few weeks ago I asked friends, students and colleagues to send me a list of their favorite sports movies. Their responses have led to the World Cup Of Sports Movies. Please take a moment to select ONE movie from each Group and click Submit below. You may vote as often as you like. Results for the Round of 16 will be posted later this week.

Note: CLICK ON THE TABLE BELOW TO SEE IT IN A LARGER FORMAT.

Voting has concluded for this stage. Thank you for participating.

Summer Screenwriting Course

A shot of me with the students taking the summer session of my private 10-week screenwriting class. They're a talented and enthusiastic group and I'm glad I have the opportunity to work with them and get their movie scripts done by mid-August. I will keep everyone posted on their progress.

If you're interested in registering for the fall session of the class, visit www.ScreenplayClass.com.

Know Your Type

My friend Hayley wrote this hilarious post with a moral: Know your type.

I immediately started wondering what role the main characters in my new book would audition for, both as a type and against their type, as Hayley did in this post.

Thanks for sharing, Hayley!

Photo Transitions

The photo story of my walk across the park.

If this were a short film, what would it be about? This was my question to myself as I walked across 72nd street to have a massage with the magical Maria, and took photos as I went. I knew that later I would review them to see what I had. I also wanted to make a point about how to make strong transitions in film, a topic which I discussed in a workshop on Saturday for the amazing NYC Screenwriter group.

With my imaginary film in mind, I only took photos of the moments that mattered to me, but lots of interesting things happened between the shots. For example, the owner of the Bichon Frise in the photo told me that the dog is named Lili after Lili Palmer, the actress. Moments before, a handsome bearded man flirted with me, and after two exchanges of smiles and eyes, I realized I would be late if I dallied. Am I sorry now? Then, I got a call from my mother who had just arrived home after a stint in the hospital.

Lots of interesting stuff happened, but my point is that as a writer, I will have to pick and choose from among all these riches. I will let you know how my "movie" turns out. Now you try it and share your photographed moments with me.

Finding Words

I was looking a word that as it turns out doesn't exist, but found this in the user submitted words, and had a giggle. Will the whole gender thing ever settle down? This is the kind of vocabulary that can spice up an ordinary conversation. Collect the unusual and idiosyncratic words and expressions, then use them to give characters a distinctive voice.

Another great expression I heard today is a friend described himself as "Chintz-ing on sleep" as in being chintzy or tight with money.

#1: Retrosexual

Definition: a man who adopts a traditional masculine style in dress and manners

Example:

"Think of him as the anti-metrosexual, the opposite of that guy who emerged in the 1990s in all his pedicured, moussed-up, skinny-jeans glory. That man-boy was searching for his inner girl, it was argued. The retrosexual, however, wants to put the man back into manhood." — Lini S. Kadaba, Philadelphia Inquirer, Apr. 7, 2010

Submitted by: West4th, NY

Editor's Note:

Retrosexual is a word that has been used in two very different ways.

It sometimes describes an old-fashioned "manly man" – e.g. a beer and football-loving guy who cares little for his appearance.

But it has also been used, as in the example above, to describe someone who self-consciously adopts traditional masculine styles – e.g. old-fashioned manners and clothes typical of the early 1960s (think Mad Men).

Your Own Show

One exciting aspect of the current expanding TV landscape is the new opportunities available to creative people.

My friend Sha Hayes is trying to win Oprah's Your Own Show contest. Please take a moment to read the description of her show and vote below.

Says Sha:
The Sha Hayes Show is a traditional talk show with a twist. A show that will go on adventures, discover different cultures, along with unfolding stories that will help educate and save lives. The Sha Hayes Show will help make the world a better place and help people laugh along the way.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW

Killadelphia

I'm always excited when I hear about new ways for filmmakers to get their films produced.

My friend Vladimir Versailles is trying to win funding for his film from Pepsi's Good Idea program. Please take a moment to review his information and vote at:

http://www.refresheverything.com/killadelphiathefilm

"The concept for my film started in 2008. I was barraged with stories of random acts of violence and misfortunes affecting people with whom I grew up with. I would hear stories former classmates serving jail time, gunned down for drug money, and living in harsh economic conditions. I saw a Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper headline that read “Killadelphia”. It was nationally reported in 2007-2009 that Philadelphia was the murder capitol of the U.S. and that most of the murder victims were youth, between the ages of 13-23. For this Film, we want to inspire the people who see it to understand this crisis and even take action about the problems – in this case the anguish and tragedy of youth killing youth. I want my film Killadelphia to illuminate the deepest secrets and bleeding wounds of Philadelphia. This is our time and our shot to make a mark that will never be erased for the city and the people that made us the artists we are today!"

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW

Jackie Got It Written!

Me with one of my talented NYU students Jackie. She finished the first draft of her screenplay in 10 weeks! Congratulations, Jackie.

Lights Camera Literacy Film Festival

A photo of me and George Mayo, a wonderful teacher, at the Lights Camera Literacy Film Festival in Silver Springs, MD. Every movie showcased was written, directed and produced by middle school students. The students use a middle school version of my system to write their films and I was blown away by just how good they were.

Congratulations to Mr. Mayo and everyone involved.



You can watch all of the films HERE.

International Screenwriting

A photo of me and my talented student Sebnem. She came all the way from Turkey to work with me and in just a few short weeks she has developed her idea and finished an outline for her entire movie script. Congratulations, Sebnem!