An insightful look into the biz

Our friends at BAFTA have recently launched a Screenwriters’ Lecture Series on their website where they asked six of the film industry’s leading screenwriters with credits including Atonement, The Devil Wears Prada, Frost/Nixon, Slumdog Millionaire, and The Reader to give their opinion on the craft, the films they have written and their careers so far.

The result is a series of exclusive videos, clips and profiles providing a fascinating insight into the discipline and culture of screenwriting.

It’s a great and rare opportunity for all types of screenwriters out there to listen in on the experiences and advice of these recognized Screenwriters.

Check it out:

http://www.bafta.org/access-all-areas/screenwriting/

"21 Below" hits Amazon!

My friend, Zeke Farrow, wrote and helped produce the exceptional film, "21 Below", which captures the "real life" of an American family in crisis. Zeke was honored with a Writers Guild of America Documentary Screenwriting Award Nomination for his work. If you want to support a truly independent documentary, brilliantly directed by Samantha Buck, please consider getting a copy.

http://www.amazon.com/21-Below-Sharon/dp/B003A0T8B4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1289257414&sr=1-1> http://www.amazon.com/21-Below-Sharon/dp/B003A0T8B4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1289257414&sr=1-

The internet has got a new idea.

As writers, we strive to be original but as Mark Twain may have once remarked, "The Greeks stole all of my good stories!" I thought this article was interesting in tracing where some of the words we use to describe the "Web" came from. Enjoy.

http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/2500/

Using real events in your story...

My brother Adam sent me this interesting but sad article. It seemed like a good basis for a timely film.

What would your version of the story be?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/health/healthspecial/31finances.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Another cool screenwriting tip!

Brazil just elected a woman president. Where would the US be if Hillary had won? How does your character feel about this piece of news?

One way to add depth to characters is to have them react to current events. My character is asking: what would happen if a woman got elected President in Iran?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/world/americas/01brazil.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper