How to Write a Screenplay
I have publicly admitted that I am a storyaholic. Actually, I have proclaimed it proudly.
What I have not been as forthcoming about is that I don’t just adore great storytelling. I fall in love with great writers. Literally.
I relish those times when I have read a truly great screenplay. One that was:
Delightful, Delicious, Entertaining, Engaging, Skillful, Smart, Rich and Resonant
…I have fallen, head over heels, with the writer. Because for me, those qualities add up to sexy.
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How to Write a Screenplay
I’m ready to tear my hair out. Script notes are going to leave me bald and bitter!
I put in a ton of work into the latest draft of my screenplay before sending it out to get feedback from fellow writers and from contest readers. The notes were completely in conflict with each other.
What one person loved, another person hated.
One person thought it was terrific, another had a ton of notes.
Some notes made sense, others made me question if they even understood what the story was about.
How is this possible?
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Writer's Workout - Exercises
Storytellers are artists and, as such, each of you has a unique point of view on the world, shaped by your experiences and your beliefs. You have something to say; something audiences need to hear. Find the message that you as a writer are most moved by, that speaks to you on a deep level, that draws on what you believe is important in life, and you will move an audience.
That message is called “Personal Thematic.” The process of discovering your Personal Thematic is through an exercise that is seemingly simple, but in practice is profoundly resonant and revealing. The provenance of the Personal Thematic Exercise is intriguing.
I first learned this term from writer-producer, Meg LeFauve, one of the most impactful teachers I have had the opportunity to learn from.
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Featured Articles, How to Write a Screenplay
When learning how to write a screenplay, there is a lot of focus on structure. But if you want to create a truly strong script, craft a story foundation first.
As I worked with seminar students during their mentorship, I wanted them to have an effective way to build full-fledged stories from new concepts. And thus, the Big Ideas Structure Template was born.
This is flexible document that enables writers to craft scripts by focusing on laying the story foundation first. That means discovering the steel beams that hold up the story – defining its essential elements – and then determining the Big Beats. The Template makes it easy to explore possibilities and solve problems on a couple of pieces of paper, rather than ripping apart 120 pages.
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Query Letters, S-e-x Tips for Screenwriters
Dear Dr. Paige Turner,
With several completed pieces of material polished and ready to go out into the world, suddenly I’m faced with a terrifying new writing challenge – the query letter. While I’ve worked to master my craft, this bizarre half man-half beast hybrid of letter writing/sales pitch/self-promotion leaves me baffled, and, to be honest, a little bit queasy.
Many folks – fellow writers and pros alike – think queries are a complete and utter waste of time. But how else am I going to contact people who could get my work out there?
I want my letter to stand out, but while there are piles of books on writing in every medium imaginable, the scoop on queries falls short. I’m panicking at the thought that no one will every read my story!
Help Paige!
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