Minor spoilers ahead for Cray Rich Asians, Coco, and Operation Finale. by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) One of the most vital yet least discussed aspects of effective storytelling is the ability to execute potent setups and payoffs. While it may seem like common sense, the demonstration of this skill is often the factor that separates amateur scripts... Continue Reading →
3 Ways to Utilize Power Dynamics in Your Story
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) The way that a protagonist moves through the world should be filled with challenges and tests of the ego. There is perhaps no better way to accomplish this than by thoughtfully creating differences in power between your character and the others she interacts with. Because there are so many types of power... Continue Reading →
BOARDING SCHOOL: Writer/Director Boaz Yakin on Identity, Genre, and Pigeonholing
by Angela Bourassa (@angelabourassa1) You may not know Boaz Yakin by name, but you definitely know his films. He’s the writer behind an eclectic group of titles ranging from Now You See Me to Prince of Persia to Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. He was also the director of the beloved Remember the Titans. Boaz’s latest... Continue Reading →
5 Tips for Writing Documentaries and Non-Fiction Programming
by Ken Aguado (@kaguado) There’s an entire universe of media that’s sometimes overlooked by aspiring screenwriters: writing for documentary films and non-fiction television programming. We’re living in the golden age of documentaries, and there’s never been more opportunity. Every year there are dozens of terrific documentaries released and hundreds of hours of non-fiction television programming –... Continue Reading →
AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD: A Chat with Writer/Producer Ken Aguado
by Angela Bourassa (@angelabourassa1) Who wouldn't jump at the opportunity to meet God and ask any question you'd like? That's the essential premise of writer/producer Ken Aguado's new film, An Interview with God. Ken has a track-record in Hollywood spanning 25 years. In addition to his work as a producer and screenwriter, Ken is the... Continue Reading →
Are Screenwriting Competitions Worth It?
by Angela Bourassa (@angelabourassa1) I want to make it clear up front that I am someone who co-founded and co-runs a screenwriting competition. I’m also a writer who has entered a lot of screenwriting competitions and had mixed experiences. A few years back, I won the LA Comedy Festival screenwriting competition. I got a check... Continue Reading →
Four Seasons of Life to Draw Story From
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Some seasons in our life are more exciting than others. Many days come and go without a single notable event. The times that do stand out may be full of joy, great sadness, anxiety-inducing drama, or simple gratitude. When telling stories, we generally want to include a day or term of the... Continue Reading →
Writing with a Partner: 4 Writing Teams to Learn From
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) At some point, most every writer wishes they had a partner to help carry the load of their story. While some creators are well aware of their own inability to collaborate, others have considered trying it, but never found a willing partner or someone they trust, both with respect to creativity and... Continue Reading →
UNBELIEVABLE: 4 Steps for Making Peculiar Characters Believable
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Stories rely on the strength of their characters. The more memorable they are – the better. However, if we, as an audience, don’t buy the characters, we quickly lose interest in whatever their goals or struggles are. Crafting characters that feel real can be tricky for a number of reasons. In an... Continue Reading →
Writer/Director Piotr Szkopiak On His New Historical Thriller, The Last Witness
by Ashley Scott Meyers In this episode of the podcast I talk with writer/director Piotr Szkopiak about how he broke into the business, directed his first feature film, and how he was able to bring his second feature film, The Last Witness, to production. You can listen to the audio portion of the podcast by... Continue Reading →