Writersroom - Send a Script Drachenzähmen leicht gemacht (2010) À bord du Darjeeling Limited (2007 Top 10 Screenwriting Tips Introduction to Screenwriting How to become a screenwriter Over the last quarter century I’ve stumbled and lurched my way to some understanding of the screenwriter’s craft. As our AFTRS Graduate Certificate of Screenwriting students begin their journey, I thought I’d share the 10 things I wish I’d know when I started out. 1. Why people go to the movies If you’re making films to be viewed by the cinema-going public, it would seem pretty obvious that you should seek to understand why people go the movies, wouldn’t it? Not to me. “What people are seeking is the feeling of being alive. They want to be moved, guys. Learn more about why people go to the movies 2. Most writers starting out think story is plot and when you ask them to tell you about their film they’ll go, “Well, this happens, and that happens, and then this other things happens, and oh, and I forgot to tell you, there’s this three-legged dog who can talk … “ However, once you understand that people want to be moved, you should realise that the main game in story is not plot. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Gandhi (1982) Inception (2010 Only Old Movies 12 Monkeys (1995) Memento (2000 Michael Clayton Beat Sheet | How to Write a Screenplay Written and Directed by Tony Gilroy Running time: 116 minutes Year: 2008 PROTAGONIST: Michael Clayton, a mid-40’s, high-powered law firm’s fixer.CHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: former gambling addict and fixer of immoral actions. He is a demoralized man in the midst of financial strain.EXTERNAL GOAL: To pay off the loan shark / To solve Arthur’s murderINTERNAL GOAL: To find purpose in life / To redeem himself of past sinsMAIN DRAMATIC CONFLICT: Arthur and U/North.THEME: Redemption can come with a high price.CENTRAL DRAMATIC QUESTION: Will Michael redeem himself for years of playing clean-up for the immoral games of others?ENDING: Michael secretly tapes a confession from U/North CEO, Karen Crowder, for both Arthur’s murder and his attempted murder, and single-handedly takes down both U/North and Kenner Bach.ARC: Michael goes from a fixer of immoral actions, to man a who sacrifices his career and wealth to call attention to the unethical deeds of both U/North and Kenner Bach.
Good Will Hunting - Der gute Will Hunting (1997) Steven Spielberg 10 Screenwriting Lessons You Can Learn from "The Graduate" For the foreseeable future, every Tuesday will be a Scriptshadow Secrets type breakdown of a great movie, giving you 10-12 screenwriting lessons from some of the best movies of all time. Today will be the first entry, “The Graduate.” Next week will be The Big Lewbowski. And going forward from there, I’ll be taking suggestions. Feel free to offer potential films in the comments section, and if you like what someone’s suggested, make sure to “like” their comment so I know what the most popular requests are. Logline: A college graduate comes back home, where he’s pursued by one of his mother’s friends, a relationship that is tested when he falls in love with the woman’s daughter. Writers: Calder Willingham and Buck Henry (based on the novel by Charles Webb) The Graduate allllllmost made it into my book but, to be honest, I was a little scared of it. 1) To quickly convey who your protagonist is, introduce them around people who are the opposite – This is an age-old trick and it never fails.