flying wrestler
thoughts on screenwriting from writer-producer erik bork
Script Consultants: A Waste?
A few years ago, screenwriter Craig Mazin wrote a blog post voicing his skepticism about "script consultants" -- titled "Screenwriting is Free"....
ARGO and creative license
Script Magazine online published my article about ARGO's use of creative license today. Here's how it begins: Having adapted a...
THE BOOK OF MORMON musical — the challenge of two main characters
I recently got to see the L.A. production of THE BOOK OF MORMON musical. I felt I basically knew the story from listening to the songs on the...
The Campaign
On a plane ride a few days ago, I settled in to watch two of the funniest human beings on the planet (Will Farrell and Zach Galafianakis) in a movie...
Inciting Incident types
Lately I've been brainstorming what to write for my next feature script. And I've been looking for questions to ask myself which might lead to good...
Literary Fiction/Screenwriting
Ben Fountain's new novel Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk was recently named a (top five) finalist for the National Book Award for fiction, and boy,...
The first 10 pages of a script
Yes, it’s true that a writer might only get the opening pages of their script read -- and that it will likely be put down right away if those pages...
Great Stories/Great Games
I’m a Los Angeles Lakers fan. As I’ve followed the team over the past few years, I’ve noticed certain elements need to be present, in a game, for it...
The Key to Industry Access
When I work with writers giving feedback and guidance on their material and career paths, I often end up giving advice about how to gain access to...
BRIDESMAIDS: The Beat Sheet
I created a “beat sheet” for Bridesmaids for the folks at Save the Cat — it’s now up on their website.
Which of Blake Snyder’s genres and subgenres do you think this hugely successful comedy fits? Take a look to find out…
SAVE THE CAT genres for recent movies
I just saw trailers for five new movies which all fit clear "Save the Cat" subgenres - my favorite tool for developing viable script ideas. I...
Don’t withhold; reveal, and complicate.
A writer I work with as a script consultant recently shared a phrase with me that came from her friend Craig Hammill (thanks, Craig!), which...
