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| 1. The January/February 2009 Issue of Script is on Newsstands Now! |
 In the January/February issue of Script, Bob Verini talks to the screenwriters of this year's Oscar® contenders, and sets the odds on their chances for gold. As part of our “Writers on Writing” series, Changeling writer J. Michael Straczynski recalls how he pieced together a decades-old mystery for his Angelina Jolie-starrer. Peter Morgan dissects the annals of power in his celebrated Frost/Nixon. Oscar-nominated writing team Raynold Gideon and Bruce Evans and American Psycho-scribe Guinevere Turner tune-up Bahiyyah Abdullah’s Piano Red. And filmmakers Jonathan Levine and Brad Ingelsby revive the film school debate. All this, and much more, in the 15th anniversary issue of Script!
For a complete Table of Contents, or to subscribe,
Visit: www.scriptmag.com
Join Script on the Web
If you want to know what's coming in the next issue of Script, have a comment about the current issue, or simply want to network with other Script readers, you can join us on the Web.
Visit the following sites and request an add right now:
MySpace: www.myspace.com/scriptmag
Storylink: www.storylink.com/profile/scriptmag |
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| 2. 20% Off Final Draft, Inc. ScriptXpert Services |
 Stick to your New Year’s Resolution in 2009 and get your script market-ready with ScriptXpert coverage services! The ScriptXpert coverage service simulates the real-life entertainment industry submission process. You will receive a detailed, authentic report just like the coverage producers receive from their readers, along with suggestions on how to improve your script before you put it on the market.
For a limited time, receive 20% off Basic or Extended Coverage options. Offer expires January 31, 2009. Use code NYS9.
To redeem your 20% off offer,
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/scriptxpert
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| 3. Writers on Writing: Slumdog Millionaire |
 Every year one humane tale breaks free of the pack and collects a long list of accolades. This year’s frontrunner, Simon Beaufoy’s Slumdog Millionaire, began in the back alleys of Mumbai and, like its urchin protagonist, appears destined for (awards) gold.
To read the complete article,
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/mm_media/mm_newsletters/090106_script/
script-vol15no01-slumdog.pdf |
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| 4. Script to Screen: The Wrestler |
 Robert Siegel was at the helm of the nation’s original satire news organization – The Onion – for several years before pursuing a career in screenwriting. But when it came time to bring the funny to his scripts, Siegel realized he wanted to strike out in a new direction. One of the results is his critically acclaimed collaboration with director Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler.
For an exclusive excerpt,
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/mm_media/mm_newsletters/090106_script/
script-vol15no01-wrestler.pdf |
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| 5. Script to Screen: Burn Notice |
 Over the last two seasons, basic cable has exploded with original programming. One of those programs has many explosions. Burn Notice creator Matt Nix brings Script writer Aaron Ginsburg along for some spy games on his USA Network series, which returns with all-new episodes this January.
For an exclusive excerpt,
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/mm_media/mm_newsletters/090106_script/
script-vol15no01-burnnotice.pdf |
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| 6. Script Extra Edition: Terry O'Brien at CineStory |
 What is your thematic?
The exercise is simple. Name three movies you would spend a rainy afternoon with -- old favorites or guilty pleasures you’re happy to toss in and watch anytime. You’re then asked to quickly explain the overall plot to each of these cherished darlings in your own words. Now what becomes abundantly clear, perhaps not immediately to you, but to a crowd of veteran producers, agents and screenwriters that fill the room -- is your thematic. The deep core theme that reflects your unique voice and permeates all your quality work. This is the discovery I made along with 21 other screenwriters during the CineStory Screenwriters Retreat. “If a movie poster is the external way into a film or screenplay, then thematic is the internal route.” The writer’s voice. The core story the creator in you is burning to tell.
I was fortunate to be invited to the CineStory Screenwriters Retreat after winning Final Draft, Inc.’s 2008 Big Break Contest for my original screenplay Flesh & Blood. I discussed expectations during the two-hour drive from Los Angeles to the mountain resort town of Idyllwild, California with fellow finalist Jordan Thomas. We agreed that the opportunity to work one-on-one with top industry producers, agents and screenwriters during an intensive four-day workshop was an opportunity of a lifetime. We were there to get script and career advice, but had no real idea what form it would take.
The first exercise of the retreat is actually given to the 12 mentors, who are asked to present a favorite opening film clip that powerfully introduces a main character. From Erin Brockovich to Raging Bull, The Bourne Identity to American Pie, The Searchers to Harold and Maude, all are shown to have tight, well-crafted introductions to a unique character that both drives the narrative and intrigues the audience. The commentary also serves to introduce the mentors, what interests them in film, and why they have come to love both film and the industry.
Thankfully for the first day of the retreat, writers are not under any direct missile attacks and we get to hear and ask questions about the inner workings of the craft and industry. CineStory's 1999 Winner and past retreat attendee Mark Fergus went on to become an Academy Award®-nominee for Children of Men, and completed Iron Man this past year. Returning to mentor those of us with similar aspirations, he talks about keeping our dreams alive while treading the practical path of mastering story. “A writing career is hard but it’s not just some crazy dream, there is a brick by brick approach. It’s entirely possible if you are ready to work hard enough. It’s not just being hit by lightning.”
But it’s the one-on-one meetings that are the heart of CineStory and I’m ready to dig in and hear how my work stacks up to the scrutiny of these industry professionals who are pitching and selling scripts every day in Hollywood. I am assigned four mentors, each of whom I’ll sit down with for a 90-minute session, and I have decided to offer up two feature screenplays for elective surgery. Mentors are given the material two weeks in advance.
When not attending one-on-one sessions, writers and mentors gather in the comfort of the main lodge to chat. “Informals” as they are formally called, are just that. Three mentors discuss issues, exchange ideas and give opinions on just about anything retreat writers are curious about. Whether it’s career choices, high-concept ideas, indie films, pitching, prostitution (in the Hollywood sense), a wide variety of thought-provoking advice and entertaining viewpoints are offered, plus a tremendous amount of insider information for newbies. Often the focus of the gathering turns to practical matters -- after all we are in the business of making movies.
The final night barbeque brings the close-knit group together one last time. A boisterous crowd considering the long days, the exhaustive work, and how many feet have been held to the fire. We’ve all grown. And personally, I’ve learned more about how and why I write in the past four days than I have in years.
And what is my thematic? Well the three films I chose were One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Fargo, and Airplane. You figure it out.
TERRY O’BRIEN is the winner of Final Draft, Inc.’s 2008 Big Break Contest for his original screenplay Flesh & Blood. His first indie feature as writer-director, Stolen Heart, was invited to over a dozen international film festivals, garnering two Best Feature Film awards and selling to HBO. |
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| 7. Writers Marketplace |
The following are messages from our sponsors:
TV Pitch Tips
Pitch Tips gets calls every day from people just like you who want to learn how to pitch their shows. We know you don't have a lot of time, so we developed weekly TV Pitch Tips Audio Postcards. Every week we will deliver to your inbox an audio postcard, which answers another question sent to us by you and other clients. You can listen to these any time you want, as often as you like. You can even download the MP3 files and listen to the postcards on your iPod. TV Industry experts reveal to you their tips, tricks, shortcuts, formulas, jealously-guarded secrets. Some of the questions answered weekly are: What do I bring to a pitch?; How do I protect my show ideas from being stolen?; How do I get pitch meetings without an agent? Register NOW and get your first month FREE. For more information,
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Gotham Writers' Workshop Screenwriting Courses
How do you write a screenplay that might get bought by studio or a production company? Write a compelling script that’s impossible to stop reading, vividly cinematic, properly formatted, and realistically produce-able. Our screenwriting courses will help you meet these criteria, and also guide you in creating characters, building plots, shaping scenes, sharpening dialogue, and, of course, peddling your script. Whether you seek to write big Hollywood movies or low-budget indies, we’ll show you what it takes to get in the screenplay game. Level I, Advanced, Master Class, and One-Day Seminars are available. One-Day seminars, on location in New York City, are for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Topics include: plot, character, scenes, dialogue, and selling scripts. For more information, or to register,
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Slamdance 2009 Writing Competitions
Slamdance 2009 will host four competitions: Teleplay, Shorts, Feature and Horror. The Short Screenplay competition accepts all genres 59 pages or less. The Teleplay competition has three categories: Comedy half hour, Drama one hour and Unscripted Follow Docs or Competitions. The Feature Screenplay Competition encompasses all genres 120 pages or less. Horror is horror and we'll take feature-length and shorts in this competition. Slamdance’s mission is to bring attention to the most talented emerging writers and filmmakers, linking them to industry opportunities and supporting them as they navigate their careers. For deadlines, rules, regulations and prizes,
Visit: www.slamdance.com/writing/index.html
CineStory
CineStory is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing new screenwriters with unprecedented access to industry professionals -- producers, managers, agents, executives and professional writers -- whose goal is to help growing writers advance their craft and careers. The CineStory Screenwriting Awards competition is your chance to win the relationships and advice you need to succeed. Winners receive both grants and the year-long CineStory Mentorship Program. The CineStory Retreat is an intimate intensive with professionals at our exclusive Retreat Center where you'll strengthen your script with in-depth feedback, get your questions on the industry answered, build working relationships within the film industry, and discover your path to becoming a true working writer. Summer Camp offers courses taught by industry pros to develop skills and tools you can rely on for the rest of your career. To join the CineStory Community, enter our contest. The 2009 deadline is January 7. For details,
Visit: www.CineStory.org |
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