by Angela Bourassa (@angelabourassa1) I recently had the opportunity to test drive a new outlining tool for screenwriters called Prewrite. Spoiler alert: it’s pretty great. (Full disclosure: I am not being paid for this review and I don’t get any sort of kickbacks if you sign up. I was, however, given a free lifetime membership... Continue Reading →
Prepping for a New Story
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) 2018 has only a few weeks left, and many writers will be making resolutions around their work come January 1. That may include completing a new script in 2019. While this is a worthy goal, more than one writer will abandon their new story before January has come to an end, perhaps... Continue Reading →
Amelie, Lethal Weapon, and the Shoebox Strategy
by Fin Wheeler French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen, Amelie) writes down all his ideas on scraps of paper and puts them in a shoebox. An interesting quirk for a character, a premise, themes, motifs, a interesting prop that might look good on the bedside table of the protagonist... they’re all jotted down, added to the... Continue Reading →
Ask LA Screenwriter: “Am I Out of My Depth?”
We've started a new advice column here at LA Screenwriter that features answers to any and all questions you might have about screenwriting and the film world. If you have a question, please send it to [email protected]. Our question today comes from Elizabeth: Is it hard for everyone when they start off writing screenplays? I... Continue Reading →
Video: Story Structure the Kurt Vonnegut Way
The incomparable Kurt Vonnegut gave a lecture once in which he discussed the shapes of stories. Stories of all types, he points out, have very nice curves that can be plotted on a chart. His thoughts apply to screenplays, novels, poems, and everything in between. Learn from Vonnegut's example. You may have a brilliant idea... Continue Reading →
Video: How Great Screenwriters Prepare to Write
BAFTA has shared a wonderful short video in which half a dozen screenwriters discuss how they prepare to write.
50 Resources to Help You Outline Your Script
You're pretty sure you need an outline, but you're not sure whether it should seven lines or forty pages...
Shut Up and Write
This great article by Jeanne Veillette Bowerman talks about her personal experience with balancing having the necessary patience to carefully peice together your story and the productivity to start writing the damn thing already.