By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jo_Karabasz]Jo Karabasz
Literary Conflict
EVERY story has at least two essential elements: a central character and a problem. The problem is of course called the 'conflict'. Conflict is the collision between two opposing 'motivations'. The conflict is what drives the story forward and what essentially causes the changes in the main characters. The conflict can be between:
A character and nature - a story of survival against all odds [think 127 Hours]
Two characters - the good guy/bad guy stories [think James Bond]
Two sides of a single character - a decision that must be made, a character flaw that gets one in trouble [think Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket]
A character and society - a person going against the assumptions and demands of his or her society [think Titanic]
A character and the supernatural - resisting ghosts and the occult [think True Blood]
A character and technology - the fight against the evils of over-mechanization [think Transformers]
A character and destiny - a human struggle for personal free will despite fate and expectations [think Macbeth]
Types of Characters
In order to be able to discuss the characters in a piece of literature and compare characters from more than one work, we need some vocabulary to use in describing them. There are many different terms used for this, covering all sorts of details about the characters. Here are the three most important aspects of literary characterization you need to understand.
Round vs. Flat
Some characters in a story we get to 'know' well. We learn what they look like, their backstories [history before the narrative opens], even what they want and why they do what they do. Usually these are the most important characters, for sure, but not always. Any character we learn much about is called 'round'. Other characters who inhabit the story without letting us get to know them well are called flat.
It is very unusual to have a flat character as one of the main characters. Some depth of characterization is absolutely necessary if we are to learn to care about a character very much! On the other hand, we don't NEED to know the motivation of a character that enters the story only briefly.
Dynamic vs. Static
All great stories are about change - things learned, characters refined, decisions made. You can be assured that your most important characters are dynamic - they change or cause change in others. Static characters, in contrast, do not change. Static characters have their places, but are almost never the central character[s] in the story.
Look for changes in characters, and the REASONS for those changes, and you will find the essential points of the story.
Developed/Stock
There are some characters we know enough about JUST because of their profession - the prissy librarian, the jovial barkeep, the sweet granny, the serious judge. These stereotypical 'Stock' characters are very useful in story writing - they don't need a lot of description.
A developed character is one that the writer builds, sometimes beginning with a stock character, but then going deeper, farther into his personality and motivations. Quite often unexpected facets added to a stock character make for delightful, fascinating people in a tale.
Major Characters
Protagonist
The protagonist [or occasionally protagonists] is our central, sympathetic character. To figure out which IS the protagonist, ask yourself two simple questions:
Whose story IS it? Which character matters most to us? Who do we care the most about?
Which character makes the fateful decision or takes the fateful action that brings the conflict to climax [and then inevitably to resolution]?
When analyzing this character be sure to make notes about the following:
Motivation - What does the protagonist want/need/have to achieve?
Conflict - What is in the way? What does the protagonist THINK is in the way?
Changes - How does the protagonist change - physically and/or in personality?
Decisions - Which decision[s] was/were pivotal to the climax?
Antagonist
The antagonist is the character, or force that opposes then motivation of the protagonist. Record these things as you analyze:
Description
Personality [if there is one]
Motivation[s]
Subordinate Characters
Subordinate characters are many. They are 'everyone else'. However, no character is present just by chance. Each has one or more raison d'etre, or reason for being there. These reasons fall into three categories:
A Foil - a character who is in the tale to help us learn more about the protagonist. 'Sidekicks' do that, but so do other minor characters who demonstrate personality traits opposite to the protagonist, and so act as mirror-images that enhance our understanding of the protagonist. The two 'Little Pigs' who built their houses of hay and sticks help one see just HOW smart was the ONE who used bricks, for instance.
Comic Relief - the drama of a story is very often 'interrupted' by a funny scene that serves to heighten the overall tension in the piece. Some characters are just humorous by their appearance or personality, and their interaction with the protagonist is a 'humanizing' one that can help keep a hero from being more irritating than sympathetic.
A Plot Device - a character who moves the story along without being a significant player. For instance, this might be the taxi driver who gets the detective to the crime scene. He is absolutely essential, but we need, and get, few if any details about him
When reading you should record just a few things about subordinate characters.
Name
Description
Personality
Where in the plot they appear
Purpose[s]
Remember that going forward with your analysis you will rely heavily on your understanding of the roles of the characters. Give this focus all the time it needs.
Jo Karabasz
Managing Director
Overlook Tutorial Academy http://www.overlooktutorialacademy.net
As an expert in tutoring, SAT/ACT/AP Test Preparation and College Guidance I can answer other questions or concerns about Literary Analysis. Feel free to check the Information Base on the web site - there is a lot more there and if text materials do not answer all your questions I am available at your service, do call.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Literary-Analysis---Focus-on-Characters&id=6613678] Literary Analysis - Focus on Characters
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
How to Write Script
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Hunter]Mike Hunter
You've seen some really moving content on television, in movies and in theater productions, and you think you could really create some competitive fare on your own. Learning how to write script isn't difficult, and for those who want to present their ideas to large audiences, it can be the perfect medium for expression. Establishing good practices for creating accessible work that performers enjoy as much as audiences is
Theater and Stage Basics
If you're still a student, take a theater class, or at least pick up a book on the basics. Learn about blocking, the placement of stage elements and performers, so that you can create directions that make sense. Understand the technical fundamentals of the lighting and stage setup for your target performance area, whether it be a theater or sound stage, so the script you craft allows directors and performers to understand the intent behind your writing. If you have an opportunity to do so, get some first-hand, behind-the-scenes experience at an actual production. This can provide valuable insight on what really happens to scripts when they are performed.
Do Your Research
If you're writing a drama about the US Civil War, it makes sense to learn something about it first. Script writers often leave wardrobe and time period-specific prop basics up to production companies and groups, but you need to ensure that the action taking place in your script fits in well with the setting you've designated or created. Even in fantasy locales, things need to look like they belong, and doing some background research before you start your script is the only way to ensure all the pieces come together smoothly to create the desired impression.
Develop a Process
Remember that instructing others how to tell your story is the most important function of your script. In order to maintain your overall message or theme from the brainstorming stages to the completed script and production, you've got to make sure you stay organized enough not to get distracted by how far you've already gotten at any point along the way.
While there's no set-in-stone process for how to write script, you ought to figure out something that works well for you and stick with it. For instance, many writers start off with a basic skeleton or outline that details key points, and then continue by fleshing their ideas out as they go. Others simply begin writing once they've thought about a basic concept for long enough, relying on multiple revisions, edits and extensively cross-referenced notes to make the little bits and details work out. Above all, your rules must be flexible, because you may be struck with a sudden great idea at the coffee shop or on your way to do something else, so make sure your personal method can accommodate for sudden bursts of inspiration. Find something that works for you and you'll be able to write great scripts for any performance medium.
If you'd like to know more about [http://www.besthowtoguides.com/do-it-yourself/how-to-write-a-movie-script/]how to write a movie script, visit BestHowtoGuides.com.
Also you will find that [http://tonyshepard.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Write-A-Film-Script]how to write a script on HubPages.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Write-Script&id=6621777] How to Write Script
You've seen some really moving content on television, in movies and in theater productions, and you think you could really create some competitive fare on your own. Learning how to write script isn't difficult, and for those who want to present their ideas to large audiences, it can be the perfect medium for expression. Establishing good practices for creating accessible work that performers enjoy as much as audiences is
Theater and Stage Basics
If you're still a student, take a theater class, or at least pick up a book on the basics. Learn about blocking, the placement of stage elements and performers, so that you can create directions that make sense. Understand the technical fundamentals of the lighting and stage setup for your target performance area, whether it be a theater or sound stage, so the script you craft allows directors and performers to understand the intent behind your writing. If you have an opportunity to do so, get some first-hand, behind-the-scenes experience at an actual production. This can provide valuable insight on what really happens to scripts when they are performed.
Do Your Research
If you're writing a drama about the US Civil War, it makes sense to learn something about it first. Script writers often leave wardrobe and time period-specific prop basics up to production companies and groups, but you need to ensure that the action taking place in your script fits in well with the setting you've designated or created. Even in fantasy locales, things need to look like they belong, and doing some background research before you start your script is the only way to ensure all the pieces come together smoothly to create the desired impression.
Develop a Process
Remember that instructing others how to tell your story is the most important function of your script. In order to maintain your overall message or theme from the brainstorming stages to the completed script and production, you've got to make sure you stay organized enough not to get distracted by how far you've already gotten at any point along the way.
While there's no set-in-stone process for how to write script, you ought to figure out something that works well for you and stick with it. For instance, many writers start off with a basic skeleton or outline that details key points, and then continue by fleshing their ideas out as they go. Others simply begin writing once they've thought about a basic concept for long enough, relying on multiple revisions, edits and extensively cross-referenced notes to make the little bits and details work out. Above all, your rules must be flexible, because you may be struck with a sudden great idea at the coffee shop or on your way to do something else, so make sure your personal method can accommodate for sudden bursts of inspiration. Find something that works for you and you'll be able to write great scripts for any performance medium.
If you'd like to know more about [http://www.besthowtoguides.com/do-it-yourself/how-to-write-a-movie-script/]how to write a movie script, visit BestHowtoGuides.com.
Also you will find that [http://tonyshepard.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Write-A-Film-Script]how to write a script on HubPages.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Write-Script&id=6621777] How to Write Script
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Writing the TV Drama Series
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Halasz]John Halasz
Writing a TV drama series is a fun and enjoyable project. The word "drama" has been derived from a Greek word meaning "action." This is exactly what a TV drama series entails. A series based on some thriller--family, medical, historical, crime, or scientific--that provides wholesome entertainment for the viewers is generally placed higher in the Nielsen ratings. Composing a series requires an in-depth knowledge of the subject and an exploration from different angles. The best way to get a hang of a drama series is to watch a lot of TV series. Observe how dramas unfold, the way they affect the viewers, which genres are popular, and what makes them work.
While Writing the TV drama series it will do you a world of good to your end product if you keep a few points in mind:
� Brainstorm and come up with novel ideas that do not replicate anything broadcast before. The executives welcome new ideas and the audience too will love a fresh concept. Make your series or season as unique as possible while balancing your desire to write what you feel passionate about.
� Your drama might be a self-contained, character-driven story or a set of multiple intertwined stories, broadcast over a certain number of episodes.
� Determine the best duration of each episode so that you can divide your idea into a number of segments but one continuous story.
� Writing a TV drama series becomes more manageable when it is populated with believable characters. You can engulf the main character with all sorts of hurdles, actions and conflicts. This will add to the appeal of the drama season. Scripts that treat the characters too tenderly are rarely admired.
� Hook the audience right at the start of the drama. This will keep them from turning to other channels. They should be offered a reason to tune to your drama every time an episode is aired.
� Narrate the drama through the characters' actions and dialogues. No dialogue should sound awkward or irrelevant.
� A common problem faced while writing a TV drama series is that the story becomes too fragmented and listless. Also, redundancy of scenes should be avoided.
� Write the script by adhering closely to the stipulated format. Read, re-read and polish the script to perfection. The more you pay attention to the details, the better your drama will become.
� Get your drama series registered with the Writers Guild of America before handing it to the executives.
Know the audience of your TV drama series, the type of drama, and at what time it might fit into the network's schedule. The tone and shape of the drama you are writing is determined by the format required and the time slot it will be aired. A TV drama series writer for hire can help you complete your script.
Contact professional [http://screenwritersforhire.com/]screenwriters to write, edit, or help with your screenplay, treatment, or proposal. Just CALL (716) 579-5984, EMAIL ezine[at]GhostWritersForHire.Com, or CLICK http://ScreenwritersForHire.Com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Writing-the-TV-Drama-Series&id=6613814] Writing the TV Drama Series
Writing a TV drama series is a fun and enjoyable project. The word "drama" has been derived from a Greek word meaning "action." This is exactly what a TV drama series entails. A series based on some thriller--family, medical, historical, crime, or scientific--that provides wholesome entertainment for the viewers is generally placed higher in the Nielsen ratings. Composing a series requires an in-depth knowledge of the subject and an exploration from different angles. The best way to get a hang of a drama series is to watch a lot of TV series. Observe how dramas unfold, the way they affect the viewers, which genres are popular, and what makes them work.
While Writing the TV drama series it will do you a world of good to your end product if you keep a few points in mind:
� Brainstorm and come up with novel ideas that do not replicate anything broadcast before. The executives welcome new ideas and the audience too will love a fresh concept. Make your series or season as unique as possible while balancing your desire to write what you feel passionate about.
� Your drama might be a self-contained, character-driven story or a set of multiple intertwined stories, broadcast over a certain number of episodes.
� Determine the best duration of each episode so that you can divide your idea into a number of segments but one continuous story.
� Writing a TV drama series becomes more manageable when it is populated with believable characters. You can engulf the main character with all sorts of hurdles, actions and conflicts. This will add to the appeal of the drama season. Scripts that treat the characters too tenderly are rarely admired.
� Hook the audience right at the start of the drama. This will keep them from turning to other channels. They should be offered a reason to tune to your drama every time an episode is aired.
� Narrate the drama through the characters' actions and dialogues. No dialogue should sound awkward or irrelevant.
� A common problem faced while writing a TV drama series is that the story becomes too fragmented and listless. Also, redundancy of scenes should be avoided.
� Write the script by adhering closely to the stipulated format. Read, re-read and polish the script to perfection. The more you pay attention to the details, the better your drama will become.
� Get your drama series registered with the Writers Guild of America before handing it to the executives.
Know the audience of your TV drama series, the type of drama, and at what time it might fit into the network's schedule. The tone and shape of the drama you are writing is determined by the format required and the time slot it will be aired. A TV drama series writer for hire can help you complete your script.
Contact professional [http://screenwritersforhire.com/]screenwriters to write, edit, or help with your screenplay, treatment, or proposal. Just CALL (716) 579-5984, EMAIL ezine[at]GhostWritersForHire.Com, or CLICK http://ScreenwritersForHire.Com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Writing-the-TV-Drama-Series&id=6613814] Writing the TV Drama Series
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Comedy Script Writing
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Halasz]John Halasz
Comedy script writing is in demand by comedy script producers and entertainment-industry professionals. Special skills are required to trigger laughter from others. Comedy script writing is in demand because comedy films are:
� Less expensive to make
� Enjoyable projects for the crew and cast
� Likely to do well at the box-office
For comedy script writing, consider the following:
� Do a lot of brainstorming and come up with truly novel ideas; something that has not been tapped before.
� Think differently. Be creative. Do not be afraid to explore new ideas.
� It is not necessary that all viewers like all your jokes. It should be your goal to engage the maximum number of people in the audience. The witticism you utilize should be easy to understand, irrespective of age or nationality.
� Comedies are believable stories that are peppered with humor.
� Sprinkle the elements that are likely to evoke laughter throughout the script and not at certain points of the script alone. This will keep viewers' interest and have them looking forward to the next gag. Comedy script writing can be turned into an enjoyable and lucrative venture.
� Do not let the influence of external media like the TV or radio reflect in your composition. Allow your own creativity to steep the comedy that you are compiling.
� Narrating actual jokes would only seem out of place while comedy script writing. Cramming the script with practical jokes is a bad idea.
� Prepare and maintain a step sheet. The purpose is not to write an outline but to remind you what occurs in each scene. Ensure that every character, dialogue, and scene furthers the story in a light-hearted manner. This will keep the audience in the right mood throughout the movie or teleplay.
Screenwriters are not the best judges of their own work. After completing comedy script writing, allow it to season. Take some time away from the script and come back to review it at a later date. Read to see whether your jokes make you laugh. You should also seek the honest opinions of others during the rewriting process.
Learn to accept criticism. Comedy writing requires editing and re-writing dozens of times. There is always room for improvement which you can bring into your comic script. It is this gradual enhancement that will ultimately lead to success. It can be helpful to hire a professional screenwriter to help you write, edit, and rewrite your comedy script.
Contact professional [http://screenwritersforhire.com/]screenwriters to write, edit, or help with your screenplay or treatment. Just CALL (716) 579-5984, EMAIL ezine[at]GhostWritersForHire.Com, or CLICK http://ScreenwritersForHire.Com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Comedy-Script-Writing&id=6613781] Comedy Script Writing
Comedy script writing is in demand by comedy script producers and entertainment-industry professionals. Special skills are required to trigger laughter from others. Comedy script writing is in demand because comedy films are:
� Less expensive to make
� Enjoyable projects for the crew and cast
� Likely to do well at the box-office
For comedy script writing, consider the following:
� Do a lot of brainstorming and come up with truly novel ideas; something that has not been tapped before.
� Think differently. Be creative. Do not be afraid to explore new ideas.
� It is not necessary that all viewers like all your jokes. It should be your goal to engage the maximum number of people in the audience. The witticism you utilize should be easy to understand, irrespective of age or nationality.
� Comedies are believable stories that are peppered with humor.
� Sprinkle the elements that are likely to evoke laughter throughout the script and not at certain points of the script alone. This will keep viewers' interest and have them looking forward to the next gag. Comedy script writing can be turned into an enjoyable and lucrative venture.
� Do not let the influence of external media like the TV or radio reflect in your composition. Allow your own creativity to steep the comedy that you are compiling.
� Narrating actual jokes would only seem out of place while comedy script writing. Cramming the script with practical jokes is a bad idea.
� Prepare and maintain a step sheet. The purpose is not to write an outline but to remind you what occurs in each scene. Ensure that every character, dialogue, and scene furthers the story in a light-hearted manner. This will keep the audience in the right mood throughout the movie or teleplay.
Screenwriters are not the best judges of their own work. After completing comedy script writing, allow it to season. Take some time away from the script and come back to review it at a later date. Read to see whether your jokes make you laugh. You should also seek the honest opinions of others during the rewriting process.
Learn to accept criticism. Comedy writing requires editing and re-writing dozens of times. There is always room for improvement which you can bring into your comic script. It is this gradual enhancement that will ultimately lead to success. It can be helpful to hire a professional screenwriter to help you write, edit, and rewrite your comedy script.
Contact professional [http://screenwritersforhire.com/]screenwriters to write, edit, or help with your screenplay or treatment. Just CALL (716) 579-5984, EMAIL ezine[at]GhostWritersForHire.Com, or CLICK http://ScreenwritersForHire.Com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Comedy-Script-Writing&id=6613781] Comedy Script Writing
Sunday, October 23, 2011
How To Succeed At Screenwriting
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Harry_Bingham]Harry Bingham
I spent time recently with a couple of different production companies - one of them a large company affiliated with a major broadcaster, the other a small London-based indie with a strong slate of up-coming productions and some very good collaborations. It was an interesting afternoon in many ways, not least because it gave me real insight into how a screenwriter needs to navigate their way to success.
With novels, it may be hard to write something that's good enough, but at least you know what you have to do. Write a wonderful book, get an agent, get a publisher. Simple. Screenwriters, however, face a classic Catch-22 challenge. Production companies tell you to get a film agent before they'll look at your work. Film agents tell you to get production interest first. So what do you do?
The clear advice from the production side is that you really do need a film agent. The agents who say they don't take unsolicited submissions are basically lying. They don't take bad submissions and don't want to encourage waves of approaches from screenwriters who don't have what it takes.
Based on what I've heard from both film agents and producers, I'd advise:
Wherever possible, write for TV not film. The film industry in the UK is small, variable, and quirky. The major broadcasters (including Sky) are huge and voracious consumers of drama. British film agents make a good majority of their income from TV sources, not feature ones.
Develop your writing skills on whatever project you fancy, but recognise that you will probably need to get inside the industry proper at some stage. The classic course is to work as a staff writer on a soap - an Eastenders, a Holby City, or whatever. Alternatively you could work as a gopher for a production company, or almost any role at a major broadcaster.
The theatre is also a huge producer of quality screenwriting. If you can boast a decent track record in writing for the stage (which means the professional stage, even if at a fairly micro-level), film agents will take that very seriously as evidence of your ability to make it as a screenwriter. One production exec told me that, excluding the Eastender-type writers, perhaps 80% of the really good new screenwriting she came across emerged in one way or another from the theatre.
Be committed. It's no use writing one spec project and hoping it's so good that agents will be blown away. Film is a tricky business. It needs a huge number of parts to come together if it's to work: you need a production company, probably some outside finance, certainly a UK broadcaster, probably some strong international interest... and that's before you even get to drawing up a slate of actors, director, etc. Because so many parts need to be pieced together, things do collapse for reasons that may have little to do with the script or the concept. So you would ideally need to have 2 or 3 well-developed scripts, plus a pocket full of further ideas that you'd be keen to develop. Those are the screenwriters most likely to succeed.
Network. These things do matter. The more you can collect names, make friends, build contacts, the better. A good writing course can also start that process. Remember that production companies will often option the rights to novels and the like, then need a screenwriter to produce a script. If they don't know you exist, they won't ask you.
And as always, of course, you need to be perfectionist. Writing that's OK isn't good enough. Only the obsessives succeed. If you haven't trained properly - whether via film school or an online writing course or something similar - you need to do so right now. That should be your first step.
Harry Bingham's books are being optioned for the screen. His company, the Writers' Workshop, offers help with [http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/film.asp]screenwriting and film agents and offers a variety of [http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/coursemenu.asp]online writing courses.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Succeed-At-Screenwriting&id=6622587] How To Succeed At Screenwriting
I spent time recently with a couple of different production companies - one of them a large company affiliated with a major broadcaster, the other a small London-based indie with a strong slate of up-coming productions and some very good collaborations. It was an interesting afternoon in many ways, not least because it gave me real insight into how a screenwriter needs to navigate their way to success.
With novels, it may be hard to write something that's good enough, but at least you know what you have to do. Write a wonderful book, get an agent, get a publisher. Simple. Screenwriters, however, face a classic Catch-22 challenge. Production companies tell you to get a film agent before they'll look at your work. Film agents tell you to get production interest first. So what do you do?
The clear advice from the production side is that you really do need a film agent. The agents who say they don't take unsolicited submissions are basically lying. They don't take bad submissions and don't want to encourage waves of approaches from screenwriters who don't have what it takes.
Based on what I've heard from both film agents and producers, I'd advise:
Wherever possible, write for TV not film. The film industry in the UK is small, variable, and quirky. The major broadcasters (including Sky) are huge and voracious consumers of drama. British film agents make a good majority of their income from TV sources, not feature ones.
Develop your writing skills on whatever project you fancy, but recognise that you will probably need to get inside the industry proper at some stage. The classic course is to work as a staff writer on a soap - an Eastenders, a Holby City, or whatever. Alternatively you could work as a gopher for a production company, or almost any role at a major broadcaster.
The theatre is also a huge producer of quality screenwriting. If you can boast a decent track record in writing for the stage (which means the professional stage, even if at a fairly micro-level), film agents will take that very seriously as evidence of your ability to make it as a screenwriter. One production exec told me that, excluding the Eastender-type writers, perhaps 80% of the really good new screenwriting she came across emerged in one way or another from the theatre.
Be committed. It's no use writing one spec project and hoping it's so good that agents will be blown away. Film is a tricky business. It needs a huge number of parts to come together if it's to work: you need a production company, probably some outside finance, certainly a UK broadcaster, probably some strong international interest... and that's before you even get to drawing up a slate of actors, director, etc. Because so many parts need to be pieced together, things do collapse for reasons that may have little to do with the script or the concept. So you would ideally need to have 2 or 3 well-developed scripts, plus a pocket full of further ideas that you'd be keen to develop. Those are the screenwriters most likely to succeed.
Network. These things do matter. The more you can collect names, make friends, build contacts, the better. A good writing course can also start that process. Remember that production companies will often option the rights to novels and the like, then need a screenwriter to produce a script. If they don't know you exist, they won't ask you.
And as always, of course, you need to be perfectionist. Writing that's OK isn't good enough. Only the obsessives succeed. If you haven't trained properly - whether via film school or an online writing course or something similar - you need to do so right now. That should be your first step.
Harry Bingham's books are being optioned for the screen. His company, the Writers' Workshop, offers help with [http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/film.asp]screenwriting and film agents and offers a variety of [http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/coursemenu.asp]online writing courses.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Succeed-At-Screenwriting&id=6622587] How To Succeed At Screenwriting
Friday, October 21, 2011
Write a Script - Movie or Miniseries?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lena_Banks]Lena Banks
First and foremost as a writer, #1 follow your passion. If you feel your idea/concept would be better served by writing a miniseries than writing a 90 minute movie, I say "go for it" and give it all you've got.
Many writers just have too, too much content to narrow done, right? Too many ideas, too many thoughts, too many words, too many possibilities - welcome to the world of being a writer. No matter what, its about focusing and picking an underlying theme so your main character can exist in a world where you get to tell a story, a compelling story others would want to hear and take part in by watching the story play out on a screen - big or small.
If your calling in life as an aspiring writer leads you to believe you've got way too much data in a particular concept to condense down into a 90 minute movie and a miniseries is the direction you decide to go, bear in mind that miniseries are not produced in enough quantity that writers "who can do that" are being sought after.
Remember, as an aspiring writer, you write a spec script as a sample of your work, not so much to get 'that' particular script produced. Writers have to write and write they do, many, many scripts, all of which shows their ability to write. It's not all about the idea you've got as a potential movie - lots of great ideas don't translate to the page - to the screen. Pick your ideas carefully, develop them well, know the craft of scriptwriting and write with the intent to sell (not for validation and praise).
As a writer, and all writers face this, your works-in-progress gets tweaked and tweaked until it becomes a great script. Focusing and finding that one element that can drive your main character through the movie or show is paramount in all writing. Since you're new at writing I would suggest staying on the road to really hammering out the script you've started as a feature - all writing done properly makes you a better writer. If you complete one well written script you're in a better place to write the 4+ scripts that a miniseries would demand. If you're a fantastic writer with many, many well written (professionally evaluated for feedback) scripts under your belt then you could pretty much bang out the many scripts needed for a miniseries. But, if you've not even completed one well written script, make sure you learn the craft of good writing (that's not just idea-wise its formatting as well) before you commit yourself to the all consuming arduous task of the demands of multiple scripts.
If your end result is to be recognized as a professional writer then really learning the craft is crucial before spending time, effort, blood, sweat and tears on such a big undertaking as a miniseries. It's your choice though, so follow your inner guidance. Make your thoughts and ideas serve you. Don't let those thoughts and ideas run the show, dictate - you're the god for the project and you must make your thoughts serve you NOT be a slave to them or they'll make folly with you and run you ragged and waste your time.
See yourself in the future as one of those exceptional individuals hiding explosive potential. Utilize that writing talent you are blessed with. You're walking into that world where creative sparks can set off an explosion of prosperity. Have a professional guide or mentor so you can capitalize on your genius within and identify it. I believe in your hidden talents and by this time next year you could be a valuable asset in the entertainment industry, a completely different person reaching out and touching the success, wealth, and happiness you deserve.
If you want to write a miniseries - go for it.
Lena Banks Founder-Think Tank Ink MasterMind INKubator for Scriptwriters-where writers become GREAT writers. Workshops in LA, London, Edinburgh & Glasgow. A Pro Hollywood Reader (18 years). Pro Hollywood Script Reader for literary agents, producers, studios & writers. Writer's Kick-Ass Muse & The Bitch With the Red Pen (an iron will with an angel's touch) as a fanatical proofreader, expert script-tech fixer, & coach. Literary Agent & Manager Liaison - I help new writers get IN. Visit http://www.TheBitchWithTheRedPen.com for a FREE eBook 15,000 Useful Phrases. Join us: http://www.meetup.com/Think-Tank-Ink-MasterMind-INKubator-for-Scriptwriters/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Write-a-Script---Movie-or-Miniseries?&id=6616609] Write a Script - Movie or Miniseries?
First and foremost as a writer, #1 follow your passion. If you feel your idea/concept would be better served by writing a miniseries than writing a 90 minute movie, I say "go for it" and give it all you've got.
Many writers just have too, too much content to narrow done, right? Too many ideas, too many thoughts, too many words, too many possibilities - welcome to the world of being a writer. No matter what, its about focusing and picking an underlying theme so your main character can exist in a world where you get to tell a story, a compelling story others would want to hear and take part in by watching the story play out on a screen - big or small.
If your calling in life as an aspiring writer leads you to believe you've got way too much data in a particular concept to condense down into a 90 minute movie and a miniseries is the direction you decide to go, bear in mind that miniseries are not produced in enough quantity that writers "who can do that" are being sought after.
Remember, as an aspiring writer, you write a spec script as a sample of your work, not so much to get 'that' particular script produced. Writers have to write and write they do, many, many scripts, all of which shows their ability to write. It's not all about the idea you've got as a potential movie - lots of great ideas don't translate to the page - to the screen. Pick your ideas carefully, develop them well, know the craft of scriptwriting and write with the intent to sell (not for validation and praise).
As a writer, and all writers face this, your works-in-progress gets tweaked and tweaked until it becomes a great script. Focusing and finding that one element that can drive your main character through the movie or show is paramount in all writing. Since you're new at writing I would suggest staying on the road to really hammering out the script you've started as a feature - all writing done properly makes you a better writer. If you complete one well written script you're in a better place to write the 4+ scripts that a miniseries would demand. If you're a fantastic writer with many, many well written (professionally evaluated for feedback) scripts under your belt then you could pretty much bang out the many scripts needed for a miniseries. But, if you've not even completed one well written script, make sure you learn the craft of good writing (that's not just idea-wise its formatting as well) before you commit yourself to the all consuming arduous task of the demands of multiple scripts.
If your end result is to be recognized as a professional writer then really learning the craft is crucial before spending time, effort, blood, sweat and tears on such a big undertaking as a miniseries. It's your choice though, so follow your inner guidance. Make your thoughts and ideas serve you. Don't let those thoughts and ideas run the show, dictate - you're the god for the project and you must make your thoughts serve you NOT be a slave to them or they'll make folly with you and run you ragged and waste your time.
See yourself in the future as one of those exceptional individuals hiding explosive potential. Utilize that writing talent you are blessed with. You're walking into that world where creative sparks can set off an explosion of prosperity. Have a professional guide or mentor so you can capitalize on your genius within and identify it. I believe in your hidden talents and by this time next year you could be a valuable asset in the entertainment industry, a completely different person reaching out and touching the success, wealth, and happiness you deserve.
If you want to write a miniseries - go for it.
Lena Banks Founder-Think Tank Ink MasterMind INKubator for Scriptwriters-where writers become GREAT writers. Workshops in LA, London, Edinburgh & Glasgow. A Pro Hollywood Reader (18 years). Pro Hollywood Script Reader for literary agents, producers, studios & writers. Writer's Kick-Ass Muse & The Bitch With the Red Pen (an iron will with an angel's touch) as a fanatical proofreader, expert script-tech fixer, & coach. Literary Agent & Manager Liaison - I help new writers get IN. Visit http://www.TheBitchWithTheRedPen.com for a FREE eBook 15,000 Useful Phrases. Join us: http://www.meetup.com/Think-Tank-Ink-MasterMind-INKubator-for-Scriptwriters/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Write-a-Script---Movie-or-Miniseries?&id=6616609] Write a Script - Movie or Miniseries?
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
How To Write A Solid Script
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steven_A_Bean]Steven A Bean
In this article I will go over simple steps to writing a script. In the competitive world of movie production it can be challenging for a young writer to be successful. I will be listings a few tips that may help you along your way of creating a script. First do some research on screen writing, you can find books at your local library written by film makers that can be very helpful. Also read over scripts, the more you read the better understanding you will get as to what you're aiming for.
If you're truly interested in screen writing then it would be a good idea to get an education in this. There are many great colleges that offer screen writing classes and this would be great help and practice for a career in writing. I find it easier to write about things that interest me, so as example take a few of your favorite movies and try to find the scripts for them. Identify what you like about this film and think to yourself is there anything that you would about this film, maybe you felt it could have had a better ending?
Practice writing every day, write short films or take your previous writings and revise them. If you feel you have a great story begin writing and keep with it every day until you have at least 100 pages. Once you have some good solid material show a few friends ask their opinion. Chances are you will be going over and editing your script multiple times and don't be alarmed by this. There are websites that you can register your script to prevent any persons stealing your material. There are also websites that you can submit a script to get optioned which can be very helpful.
You will eventually want to be living in California if you're trying to make it big in screen writing as to you will need as many contacts as possible. Also participating in script writing forums is a great way to learn tips and discuss ideas with other writers and it can lead to future contacts and interest in your work. Make as many friends as you can who have jobs in the production industry it's always good to have friends in high places. Also before you make any major agreements it will be a good idea to hire a lawyer just to be safe. Well I hope this will be of some help to you guys out there and good luck in any future writings.
Hello my name is Steve Bean. I work with Octo Interactive. We are an [http://www.octointeractive.com/video/video-production/]Orlando FL Video Production Company that specializes in [http://www.octointeractive.com/]Web Video Production (321) 338 - 2962.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Write-A-Solid-Script&id=6619463] How To Write A Solid Script
In this article I will go over simple steps to writing a script. In the competitive world of movie production it can be challenging for a young writer to be successful. I will be listings a few tips that may help you along your way of creating a script. First do some research on screen writing, you can find books at your local library written by film makers that can be very helpful. Also read over scripts, the more you read the better understanding you will get as to what you're aiming for.
If you're truly interested in screen writing then it would be a good idea to get an education in this. There are many great colleges that offer screen writing classes and this would be great help and practice for a career in writing. I find it easier to write about things that interest me, so as example take a few of your favorite movies and try to find the scripts for them. Identify what you like about this film and think to yourself is there anything that you would about this film, maybe you felt it could have had a better ending?
Practice writing every day, write short films or take your previous writings and revise them. If you feel you have a great story begin writing and keep with it every day until you have at least 100 pages. Once you have some good solid material show a few friends ask their opinion. Chances are you will be going over and editing your script multiple times and don't be alarmed by this. There are websites that you can register your script to prevent any persons stealing your material. There are also websites that you can submit a script to get optioned which can be very helpful.
You will eventually want to be living in California if you're trying to make it big in screen writing as to you will need as many contacts as possible. Also participating in script writing forums is a great way to learn tips and discuss ideas with other writers and it can lead to future contacts and interest in your work. Make as many friends as you can who have jobs in the production industry it's always good to have friends in high places. Also before you make any major agreements it will be a good idea to hire a lawyer just to be safe. Well I hope this will be of some help to you guys out there and good luck in any future writings.
Hello my name is Steve Bean. I work with Octo Interactive. We are an [http://www.octointeractive.com/video/video-production/]Orlando FL Video Production Company that specializes in [http://www.octointeractive.com/]Web Video Production (321) 338 - 2962.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Write-A-Solid-Script&id=6619463] How To Write A Solid Script
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