There’s a common misconception among new or ‘unrepresented’ screenwriters that only agents, managers, and producers can open Hollywood’s gates, and that without at least one of the three, it’s virtually impossible to sell a script or sidestep Hollywood’s frustrating barriers to entry.Read More
At the 99% Conference, veteran storyteller Jay O’Callahan illustrates how stories tap into our imagination, engage those around us, and inspire amazing achievements. Stories, he argues, are what make us alive.Read More
“The Bride shall fight once more…” Quentin Tarantino announced with the release of a 3 page teaser of “Kill Bill Volume 3″ via twitter: “Ya’ll ready to see the first Kill Bill 3 preview?! Say pretty fucking please, with suga on top!” – Quentin Tarantino. He then tweeted the link to the PDF teaser version of Kill Bill 3’s screenplay.Read More
In every movie of quality, there are three stories going on either simultaneously or in close proximity. One of the first things you need to look at when you approach a rewrite is to make sure all the stories are fulfilled and in the right proportions. The closer they are in theme and proximity, the better.Read More
Whether a screenplay deserves an Oscar nomination depends on how it reads on the page and plays on the screen. But if you want to learn how Hollywood’s best screenwriters got that way, you have to begin by determining the challenges they faced at the outset of their tasks. Then you can identify, and learn, the techniques they used to meet the challenges.Read More
In order to create a story that expresses the arc of transformation, a need for that transformation must be established. It is within this context that I can best define the fatal flaw of character.Read More
In every story plot and movie plot, the protagonist (and for that matter, all of the major characters) has at least one long-term goal in the story, and one small goal or more in every scene. Goals give definition to the overall story that unfolds moment-by-moment in scene.Read More
It’s the most often-asked question I get at classes and conferences around the country and from my clients. And honestly, I hate this question. There is no ONE answer. Everyone has a different “breaking in” story and everyone gets in a different way. And of course some don’t get in at all. It’s hard to break in – but here are some keys to finding your way.Read More
We would like to thank all the members from all around the world that entered the contest. We hope everyone had as much fun creating their adaption and storyboards as we did judging them. The adaptations ranged from faithful to re-imagined departures. The storyboards where even more diverse. Methods varied from hand drawn, found images, South Park style shapes and the built in Celtx Sketch Tool.Read More
When you write your first screenplay, the path to glory seems clear—find an agent who will get you a six-figure deal. A hundred and fifty query letters later, you’re languishing at Hollywood’s front gate. You’ve received a lot of encouragement, but, as Pauline Kael put it, “Hollywood’s the only town where you can die of encouragement.” Maybe it’s time to try another approach.Read More
Our favorite opensource filmmaking tool just added a new app to the Celtx family. Celtx has announced that version 1.0 of our thier ClipSketch iPad app is available in the Apple App Store for the introductory price of $1.99! Read More
Why should a writer bother to learn about production budgets? Isn’t that the Production Manager’s responsibility? Let me tell you why. Though the writer may not be directly involved in the business side of making the film, the script that he or she writes will be.Read More
