Let’s take a look at five lessons that can be learned from Us regarding how to write an effective message screenplay. (Lots of spoilers ahead.)
5 Lessons on How to Write a Message Movie from Jordan Peele’s US
Ways to Connect with Other Screenwriters Outside of LA
Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash by Angela Bourassa (@angelabourassa1) So, many of you already know this, but for those who don't, it's time for me to come clean -- I don't actually live in Los Angeles. I know. I feel the shame. While I did live in LA when I started this website, various life events... Continue Reading →
Writer/Director Chris von Hoffmann On His New Film, Monster Party
by Ashley Scott Meyers This week on the podcast I talk with writer/director Chris von Hoffmann about his new film, Monster Party. We talk about writing the screenplay and how he was able to get the project produced. The film is currently available on VOD and DVD. You can listen to the audio portion of... Continue Reading →
3 Burdens that Characters Must Bear
Minor spoilers for Widows, Boy Erased, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Front Runner, First Man, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, and Creed II. by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Fleshing out characters can be a complex and tedious task. Deciding what details open up the character for the audience and what's simply minutiae takes maturity that usually only comes with practice... Continue Reading →
The Conflicted Protagonist: 4 Approaches to Flawed Characters
Minor spoilers ahead for Widows, A Star is Born, Better Call Saul, and A Beautiful Boy. by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) As often as we all strive for perfection, we rarely appreciate it when we see it in others – including characters in stories. The woman that never has a bad day, the co-worker that’s never in a bad mood, and... Continue Reading →
5 Wounded Healers to Use in Your Stories
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Psychologist Carl Jung popularized a term he assigned to fellow analysts with a desire to heal others because they themselves were wounded in some way. He called these individuals wounded healers. This archetype has appeared time and again throughout storytelling. The Greek myth of Chiron tells of a centaur who spent a... Continue Reading →
Screenwriter/Director/Producer/Editor/Actor Josh Folan On His Successes
by Ashley Scott Meyers In this week's episode, I talk with multi-hyphenate Josh Folan about his numerous projects and how he was able to bring them to completion. You can listen to the audio portion of the podcast by clicking here or through iTunes by clicking here. You can also read a transcript of this... Continue Reading →
4 Powerful Orphans to Focus Your Story On
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Certain archetypal characters seem to appear again and again throughout storytelling history. Many early narratives told tales of youngsters without one or both parents. From Moses to Little Orphan Annie, orphans have served as heroines and heroes in countless stories, even when the plot does not specifically revolve around their abandonment. There’s... Continue Reading →
Screenwriter Erik Bork On His New Book, THE IDEA
by Ashley Scott Meyers This week screenwriter and producer Erik Bork (Band of Brothers) talks about his new screenwriting book, The Idea: The Seven Elements of a Viable Story for Screen, Stage or Fiction. He talks about a number of the lessons that he teaches in the book, including how crucial the basic concept is... Continue Reading →
Announcing LA Screenwriter’s First Online Course – ON CHARACTER
We are thrilled to announce our very first online course, On Character, presented by John Bucher and Jeremy Casper. Hopefully many of you already know John as your favorite story guru -- he shares insights on LA Screenwriter every Wednesday. What you may not know is that John also teaches writing and filmmaking with his... Continue Reading →