Screnzy Pages

sesamestreet: A new Sesame Street comic book is out TODAY! Want...

hillarydepiano — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:19:25 -0400

A new Sesame Street comic book is out TODAY! Want to learn how to read a comic? Elmo can help!

"JOSS WHEDON: I find that when you read a script, or rewrite something, or look at something that’s..."

hillarydepiano — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:50:14 -0400

“

JOSS WHEDON: I find that when you read a script, or rewrite something, or look at something that’s been gone over, you can tell, like rings on a tree, by how bad it is, how long it’s been in development.

NEIL GAIMAN: Yes. It really is this thing of executives loving the smell of their own urine and urinating on things. And then more execs come in, and they urinate. And then the next round. By the end, they have this thing which just smells like pee, and nobody likes it.

”

- http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1109313,00.html#ixzz2RXrXd8TI (via neil-gaiman)

Photo

hillarydepiano — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 11:30:37 -0400

“Script Frenzy is an international writing event in which...

hillarydepiano — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 11:30:37 -0400

“Script Frenzy is an international writing event in which participants take on the challenge of writing 100 pages of scripted material in the month of April. As part of a donation-funded nonprofit, Script Frenzy charges no fee to participate; there are also no valuable prizes awarded or “best” scripts singled out. Every writer who completes the goal of 100 pages is victorious and awe-inspiring and will receive a handsome Script Frenzy Winner’s Certificate and web icon proclaiming this fact. Even those who fall short of the page goal will be applauded for making a heroic attempt. Really, you have nothing to lose—except that nagging feeling that there’s a script inside you that may never get out.”

Screnzy is dead?

hillarydepiano — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:30:14 -0400

It’s not dead exactly. Script Frenzy is just now an option in Camp NaNoWriMo (which has been moved to April).

To participate, just sign into Camp NaNoWriMo with your Script Frenzy login info, create your project with “Script” as the genre and adjust your word count accordingly.

There are many of us using Camp as a replacement Screnzy so you’re in good company. You can even request a cabin by the Script genre so you get only other script writers if you want.

See you there!

mysocalledgender:

I just went looking for this years Script Frenzy and saw a message from last June that they were shutting it down. :(

I was looking forward to finally giving it a serious shot this year, even with how busy April is going to be for me.

I know I could still do it but I might wait till after April now.

This kinda blows. :(

Question for the readers of Screnzy Pages

hillarydepiano — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:24:39 -0400

Now that Script Frenzy has been cancelled, I was thinking of changing the name of this blog. I want to still keep it running with script writing type tidbits but open it up beyond just the Screnzy crowd.

But I won’t do it unless you, the readers, want it. So let me know what you think. What would you like to see from this blog going forward?

NaNoWriMo Writing Marathon coming April 13th

hillarydepiano — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:21:23 -0400

wordscount:

Anyone can participate, even if you aren’t signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo. Mark your calendars!

You’re about to run a marathon.

No, not the kind with numbers pinned to your chest and complicated training plans and that creepy goo that runners eat.

It’s the first ever NaNoWriMo Writing Marathon (goo optional, caffeine recommended): a chance for you to lace up your metaphorical sneakers and spend the day with your latest or most beloved writing project.

On Saturday, April 13, from 10 AM to 6 PM Pacific time (see here for when that is chez vous), we’ll be telethon-style livestreaming, tweeting, and generally internetting up a storm to encourage you through an epic date with your writing.

This is also an opportunity to help support NaNoWriMo and the hundreds of thousands of people who discover the joy of creative writing and the power of telling their stories each year through our programs. It’s also been proven by very important and official scientists that putting a little money where your mouth is increases your investment in a project. Show your writing that you mean business by donating to NaNoWriMo.

Everyone who donates at any level will be entered to win our grand prize, a Microsoft Surface tablet. There are also Chris Baty Studios posters and subscriptions to The Writer magazine up for grabs, not to mention a web badge for all marathoners to maximize their bragging rights.

We encourage you to find fellow Wrimos out in the real world to level up your marathon experience. Round up friends in your regional forum or local social media channels for an in-person write-in. No Wrimos in your neck of the woods? Start a Google+ Hangout, join the Twitter conversation with the #NaNoThon hashtag, or follow our various livestreaming shenanigans throughout the day.

Find out more on our Marathon page and pledge today!

Checking for patents on caffeinated goo,

Sarah Mackey Director of Community Engagement

Reblog to spread the word!

Think of how many pages of your script in progress you could get done in one crazy day of productivity!

ryan-rivard: I made this infographic based on John August’s How...

hillarydepiano — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:22:00 -0400

ryan-rivard:

I made this infographic based on John August’s How to Write a Scene post. I found it helpful. Hope you do too.

Hi. =) My name is Juliana. I was hoping to participate in Script Frenzy for the first time this year, but I found out that it was being shut down. In one of your posts (although it was a long time ago), you mentioned running a new forum for it. I would be willing to help.

hillarydepiano — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:45:39 -0400

Hey Juliana,

Since Camp NaNoWriMo now allows scripts, my plan was to just do Script Frenzy as part of that and see how that went. If there ends up being a need for a separate event for just script writing, I’d be happy to revisit the idea next year.

Here's the goodbye letter I sent to my Script Frenzy area

hillarydepiano — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:38:58 -0400

My fellow Screnzians,

By now most of you will have heard the news but for those that haven’t: Script Frenzy has been cancelled. While my personal feelings on this are a mixture of sadness and anger at how this went down, I wanted to reach out to all of you one final time to thank you and share some good news for our script writing ambitions in a post Screnzy world.FYI the Script Frenzy site will be shuttered soon so this is your very last communication from me.

I cannot thank you all enough for your enthusiasm, your passion, your talents and most of all your participation these last few years that I served as ML. I appreciate each of you regardless of whether you participated in events or not and I truly thank you for sharing in this crazy writing frenzy. I loved this event, small as it was, and each of you were a part of that. I will miss writing with you.

Since this may well be farewell, I need you to promise me one thing. Promise me that, even without the 30 day April deadline, you’ll keep writing, keep working on your dreams and keep nurturing your creativity in the face of all the distractions of the real world. The end of Script Frenzy doesn’t have to mean the end of your script writing journey and I hope you won’t let it be.

On that note, there is a little good news in the midst of this. Camp NaNoWriMo will be held in April this year and they’ve added a new option to allow you to write scripts. So, while it’s no Script Frenzy, you’ll still be able to participate in a Screnzy-like event by writing your script in 30 days during the April Camp NaNoWriMo session. The community structure for that event is very different than what you may be used to from Screnzy but it’s at least a way to keep the Script Frenzy challenge alive. I encourage you to consider joining me in participating this year. (You can use the same login info on the Camp NaNoWriMo site as you did for Script Frenzy if you want to check it out.)

Lastly, all my old script writing articles and pep talks will remain archived here if you need them and the Tumblr will stay active (though I’ll likely rename it at some point). Even though Screnzy is gone, if you find yourself in need of a pep talk or advice, please don’t ever hesitate to contact me and I’d be happy to try to help. My contact info is below and I’ll remain your ML in spirit forever.

This brings us to the big fade out, the final curtain, the last panel. I wish you all nothing but the best in your writing endeavors and I hope to see you around the internet.

And… Scene.

Your ML,

Hillary

Why you should snag some of the super cheap Script Frenzy...

hillarydepiano — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:59:18 -0400

Why you should snag some of the super cheap Script Frenzy merchandise before it’s gone forever

wedieforbeauty: The TitleBarfutura

hillarydepiano — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:15:52 -0500

wedieforbeauty:

The Title
Barfutura

Photo

hillarydepiano — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 11:27:26 -0400

Screenwriting Tip #1097

hillarydepiano — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:26:00 -0400

screenwritingtips:

Think across media boundaries. If your current project isn’t working as a feature, maybe it’s supposed to be a TV series or comic instead?

WHEN COMPANIES DEDICATED TO PRODUCING "NEW WORKS" BY "EMERGING PLAYWRIGHTS" ONLY ACCEPT AGENT SUBMISSIONS

hillarydepiano — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 11:30:02 -0400

whatshouldwecallplaywrights:

What it's like waiting for your critique partner to give you notes on your draft

hillarydepiano — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:26:03 -0400

whatshouldwecallplaywrights:

THE PROCESS OF WRITING THE FIRST DRAFT:

hillarydepiano — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:29:22 -0400

whatshouldwecallplaywrights:

At first I’m all:

But then I get an idea:

Then I do ALL THE WRITING:

And I finish the draft, and I’m like:

….But then I realize…I have to do another draft…

WHEN I FIND YOU TUBE VIDEOS OF MY MONOLOGUES ONLINE AS PART OF AN ACTOR'S REEL

hillarydepiano — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:06:03 -0400

whatshouldwecallplaywrights:

Playwrights will enjoy this amusing GIF based blog that’s a take off of the popular What Should We Call Me site.

"When you give someone your script to read, don’t tell them how you think they should feel about it..."

hillarydepiano — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 11:30:10 -0400

“When you give someone your script to read, don’t tell them how you think they should feel about it (e.g. “I hope you find it funny!”). Wait and find out how they really feel.”

- Screenwriting Tips

Joss Whedon's Top 10 Writing Rules

hillarydepiano — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:25:02 -0400

Joss Whedon's Top 10 Writing Rules:

daimyodesign:

Joss Whedon is most famous for creating Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its spin-off Angel and the short-lived but much-loved Firefly series. But the writer and director has also worked unseen as a script doctor on movies ranging from Speed to Toy Story. Here, he shares his tips on the art of screenwriting.

1. FINISH IT

Actually finishing it is what I’m gonna put in as step one. You may laugh at this, but it’s true. I have so many friends who have written two-thirds of a screenplay, and then re-written it for about three years. Finishing a screenplay is first of all truly difficult, and secondly really liberating. Even if it’s not perfect, even if you know you’re gonna have to go back into it, type to the end. You have to have a little closure.

2. STRUCTURE

Structure means knowing where you’re going ; making sure you don’t meander about. Some great films have been made by meandering people, like Terrence Malick and Robert Altman, but it’s not as well done today and I don’t recommend it. I’m a structure nut. I actually make charts. Where are the jokes ? The thrills ? The romance ? Who knows what, and when ? You need these things to happen at the right times, and that’s what you build your structure around : the way you want your audience to feel. Charts, graphs, coloured pens, anything that means you don’t go in blind is useful.

3. HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY

This really should be number one. Even if you’re writing a Die Hard rip-off, have something to say about Die Hard rip-offs. The number of movies that are not about what they purport to be about is staggering. It’s rare, especially in genres, to find a movie with an idea and not just, ‘This’ll lead to many fine set-pieces’. The Island evolves into a car-chase movie, and the moments of joy are when they have clone moments and you say, ‘What does it feel like to be those guys ?’

4. EVERYBODY HAS A REASON TO LIVE

Everybody has a perspective. Everybody in your scene, including the thug flanking your bad guy, has a reason. They have their own voice, their own identity, their own history. If anyone speaks in such a way that they’re just setting up the next person’s lines, then you don’t get dialogue : you get soundbites. Not everybody has to be funny ; not everybody has to be cute ; not everybody has to be delightful, and not everybody has to speak, but if you don’t know who everybody is and why they’re there, why they’re feeling what they’re feeling and why they’re doing what they’re doing, then you’re in trouble.

5. CUT WHAT YOU LOVE

Here’s one trick that I learned early on. If something isn’t working, if you have a story that you’ve built and it’s blocked and you can’t figure it out, take your favourite scene, or your very best idea or set-piece, and cut it. It’s brutal, but sometimes inevitable. That thing may find its way back in, but cutting it is usually an enormously freeing exercise.

6. LISTEN

When I’ve been hired as a script doctor, it’s usually because someone else can’t get it through to the next level. It’s true that writers are replaced when executives don’t know what else to do, and that’s terrible, but the fact of the matter is that for most of the screenplays I’ve worked on, I’ve been needed, whether or not I’ve been allowed to do anything good. Often someone’s just got locked, they’ve ossified, they’re so stuck in their heads that they can’t see the people around them. It’s very important to know when to stick to your guns, but it’s also very important to listen to absolutely everybody. The stupidest person in the room might have the best idea.

7. TRACK THE AUDIENCE MOOD

You have one goal : to connect with your audience. Therefore, you must track what your audience is feeling at all times. One of the biggest problems I face when watching other people’s movies is I’ll say, ‘This part confuses me’, or whatever, and they’ll say, ‘What I’m intending to say is this’, and they’ll go on about their intentions. None of this has anything to do with my experience as an audience member. Think in terms of what audiences think. They go to the theatre, and they either notice that their butts are numb, or they don’t. If you’re doing your job right, they don’t. People think of studio test screenings as terrible, and that’s because a lot of studios are pretty stupid about it. They panic and re-shoot, or they go, ‘Gee, Brazil can’t have an unhappy ending,’ and that’s the horror story. But it can make a lot of sense.

8. WRITE LIKE A MOVIE

Write the movie as much as you can. If something is lush and extensive, you can describe it glowingly ; if something isn’t that important, just get past it tersely. Let the read feel like the movie ; it does a lot of the work for you, for the director, and for the executives who go, ‘What will this be like when we put it on its feet ?’

9. DON’T LISTEN

Having given the advice about listening, I have to give the opposite advice, because ultimately the best work comes when somebody’s fucked the system ; done the unexpected and let their own personal voice into the machine that is moviemaking. Choose your battles. You wouldn’t get Paul Thomas Anderson, or Wes Anderson, or any of these guys if all moviemaking was completely cookie-cutter. But the process drives you in that direction ; it’s a homogenising process, and you have to fight that a bit. There was a point while we were making Firefly when I asked the network not to pick it up : they’d started talking about a different show.

10. DON’T SELL OUT

The first penny I ever earned, I saved. Then I made sure that I never had to take a job just because I needed to. I still needed jobs of course, but I was able to take ones that I loved. When I say that includes Waterworld, people scratch their heads, but it’s a wonderful idea for a movie. Anything can be good. Even Last Action Hero could’ve been good. There’s an idea somewhere in almost any movie : if you can find something that you love, then you can do it. If you can’t, it doesn’t matter how skilful you are : that’s called whoring.