Comments for Screenwriter's Corner

Comment on Syd’s Oscar Picks by Gwriter

Gwriter — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:01:54 +0000

For best picture it should be Up not avatar which was a remake of a remake of an old short cartoon. Please don’t let it win people>>

Comment on Preparing the Scene by Syd

Syd — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:39:18 +0000

Dear Jackie:

First of all, congratulations on getting this far. It’s an incredible achievement. In regard to your questions; first, your character has a dramatic need throughout the screenplay. It’s what moves your character through the line of dramatic or comedic action. But each, individual scene also has a specific dramatic need and it may be different than the overall dramatic need – like a fruit bowel can have bananas, apples and oranges. The bowl is the character’s dramatic need and the fruit is the specific dramatic need of your character in each scene. What you have to ask yourself is- does this scene move the story forward? Or, does it reveal information about the main character.
And, it can, but does not have to, reveal your character’s point of view. Many times you can show your character’s point of view through an image or how they react to a certain situation, and if it fits to the integrity of the scene, use it. If it doesn’t don’t.
Remember, each scene either moves the story forward, or reveals information about the main character.

Good writing,

Syd

Comment on Preparing the Scene by Jackie Wolf-Enrione

Jackie Wolf-Enrione — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:03:30 +0000

I am a journalist. I have been trying unsuccessfully to write a book about an event that affected me personally over ten years ago. In January a movie shoot came to my village. Through a totally random incident I for the first time had a dramatic vision. Subsequently, the last week in January I purchased two of your books and, yes, I completed a first draft of my screenplay. I am in the process of playing with my index cards in an effort to refine the script. You have enabled me to ask the right questions to move my characters and storyline along in a new and exciting way. This particular podcast inspired me to critically examine my scenes. Specifically: I ask three questions, Does the scene reveal a character’s dramatic need? Does it reveal a character’s POV? Or both? If the answer is ‘no,’ then I’m forced to revise it or cut it. I have a long way to go, but this is the farthest I’ve come.
Thanks.

Comment on Syd’s Oscar Picks by John Higgins

John Higgins — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:51:30 +0000

I have not seen ‘The White Ribbon’, but I still agree with it deserving to win Best Foreign Language Film based purely on my love for Michael Hanake’s ‘Funny Games’.

Comment on JUNO by Abigail

Abigail — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:28:59 +0000

I agree. I loved this film. And I rather enjoy the way it’s taking “teen comedies” to a new level of smart writing.

Comment on ATONEMENT by William Roetcisoender

William Roetcisoender — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:23:18 +0000

Just want to say your article is stunning. The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can take for granted you are an expert on this field. Well with your permission allow me to grab your rss feed to keep up to date with future post. Thanks a million and please keep up the delightful work

Comment on The Inciting Incident by Michael Oakes

Michael Oakes — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:45:17 +0000

Syd,
I’ve had your book for years. Have written a dozen one act plays.
Have just finished my first Screenplay.
Your insights are clear and crucial.
I’d love to have you help me revise my script.
Any chance of that?
Thanks, either way.

Comment on Evolution/Revolution by Abigail

Abigail — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:06:37 +0000

Marcus, I don’t think you really read or understood the piece. Your right when you said non-linear story telling has been around but they didn’t have digital technology in the 40’s. Like the piece says, if you see the flashback in Casablanca, it’s a cinematic sequence that is simply “inserted, or dropped” into the story line. They didn’t have the ability to “integrate it” into the story like they can now in Bourne Supremacy. It is, as the piece says, an evolution of the form, of the technology. Film is both science and art and the science part is altering our perception of the craft, in telling our stories, visually.

I like the article. Thanks Syd, I think it’s timely and spot on.

Comment on Evolution/Revolution by Marcus

Marcus — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:15:17 +0000

Subtitles have been around since the beginning of film and narrative voice was very popular in the 40’s. Non-linear storytelling in film has been around way before the technology we have today. I don’t understand.

Comment on NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN by Wojciehowicz

Wojciehowicz — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:04:34 +0000

I didn’t mind the end. The sheriff has lost the bad guy, the bad guy has gotten away with nothing more than a broken arm and it was only random happenstance, and the cowboy has come up short in his competition with the bad guy to keep the money. It was all good illustration of the sheriff’s confusion and frustration. That’s what I took from it.