A Screenwriter by April 2011's Blog

Work with genre to create a successful film

screenwriterbyapril2011 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:04:21 +0000

FADE IN:

I thought I knew about film genre until I started to read about it!

My notes have been cribbed from the ’ScriptWriter’ magazine I picked up at the screenwriting masterclass in London. I need to be certain I’m on the right path so, I’m going to compare the notes with my screenwriting bible: Syd Field’s, Screenplay asap. Indeed I might visit Mr Field’s blog and ask for his thoughts on the subject…

However, for now, my notes on genre look like this:

• I need to study film genre in detail
• Don’t let narrative wander from genre to genre
• A fundamental: Work with genre to create a successful film
• Pick a genre and stick to it
• Use, “Whose story is it?” to check truthfulness of genre
• Synopsis will reveal truthfulness of genre
• Outline will indicate truthfulness of genre
• Films have 2 narrative stories. EG: Personal drama and romance. Thrillers and romance – so must use the right combinations
• Use, “What is it really about?” to uncover the THEME
• Theme: The key emotional connection between the screenplay and its audience.
• This is the emotion of the film or, more truthfully, it is the emotion of the audience into which the film taps
• So, focus on the ‘central emotion’ as that’s what makes films powerful – the theme is the same in each scene

PS. Notes taken from ScriptWriter, January 2007. (A good magazine to invest in) and check out www.scriptwritermagazine.com for details.

FADE OUT:

First blood! Attending Film and TV Masterclass, Earls Court London.

screenwriterbyapril2011 — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:23:05 +0000

FADE IN:

A flying start for April: I attended “How to Write for Film & TV Masterclass” at the London Book Fair – 17 April 2010.

Chair: Julian Friedmann, Agent & Co-founder of Blake Friedman.
David Nicholls, bestselling author
Dr Craig Batty, Author and Senior Lecturer in Screenwriting
Paul Ashton, Producer, BBC Writersroom.

Advice a plenty, but the basic bullet points were:

• It’s tough and very, very hard to sell a spec script…hmmm!
• Blog/Twitter about Screenwriting – another box ticked.
• Read 100 scripts a year.
• Include a synopsis with a submitted script.
• BBC are looking for the individual as much as the idea.
• Take any writing gig to get noticed.
• Create networks and market myself.
• Quality of writing conquers (to a degree) the idea.
• Be entrepreneurial.
• Contact my regional screen agency – bursaries!
• Look for the first script to sell me, rather than to sell ‘it’
• Edinburgh Film Festival to meet Film Producers
• Be industry savvy
• Understand film genres
• Submit to everybody – don’t wait for the phone to ring.
• Submit finished work to the BBC’s Writersroom.

Oh, I almost forgot:

• Finish the blooming screenplay!

FADE OUT:

A personal challenge to become a Screenwriter in just 12 months!

screenwriterbyapril2011 — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:53:02 +0000

For more than 10 years i’ve talked the talk about writing a screenplay, but now it’s finally time to take action as this is how our very own character is defined.

Hello world!

screenwriterbyapril2011 — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:58:57 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!