Published in Film Courage·Pinned3 Mistakes Screenwriters Make In Act 1 That Ruin A Screenplay by Michael Hauge — 6 Stage Plot Structure(For more videos and articles, please visit FilmCourage.com and the Film Courage Youtube channel) Film Courage: What are some common mistakes that writers make in the first two stages of writing a screenplay which compromises the first act and then subsequent acts? …Screenwriting5 min read
Published in Film Courage·PinnedQuit Your Day Job and Live Out Your Dreams by Dr. Ken AtchityFilm Courage: The question is, what stands in most people’s way of achieving their dreams? It sounds simplistic…we can achieve our dreams and there are a million books the subject. What do you think is actually the block for most people? Dr. Ken Atchity, Author, Producer: I’ve written a book…Careers3 min read
Published in Film Courage·PinnedIf You Can’t Answer These 6 Questions You Don’t Have A Story — Glenn GersFilm Courage: How do you define story? How do you teach it to clients and students? Glenn Gers, Screenwriter: I think the basic idea of a story is that you’re going to be following a character or characters. It’s entirely possible to tell the story of multiple characters. You don’t…Writing2 min read
Published in Film Courage·PinnedThe Mistake I Made When Hollywood Stole My Screenplay — Shane StanleyFilm Courage: Without naming names, can you tell us a story about how a studio took your script or one of your ideas? Shane Stanley, Filmmaker/Author/Instructor: Which time? I’m a really big proponent of protecting your work. I will go on record to say don’t waste your time or your…Writing2 min read
Published in Film Courage·Pinned42 Ways To Avoid Writing A Boring Screenplay1) 0:45 — Write Something That Only You Can Write 2) 2:20 — The Primary Goal 3) 2:53 — A Mediocre Script 4) 6:01 — Not Enough Story 5) 6:23 — Burning Questions 6) 10:18 — No Curiosity 7) 10:53 — Not Hooking The Reader 8) 12:50 — People Can’t Read Your Script 9) 14:06 — Cliché Character…Writing2 min read
Published in Film Courage·1 day agoChris Gore’s Must Watch Christmas MoviesChris Gore, Founder/Owner of FilmThreat/Author/Filmmaker: Do I want to see the sequel to A Christmas Story starring Peter Billingsley as a grown-up version of himself? Maybe if it’s set in the 60’s. Film Courage: Chris, without checking your phone can you name all of the Christmas films you can…Movies3 min read
Published in Film Courage·2 days agoA Storyteller’s Job Is To Connect The World — Christopher RileyChristopher Riley, Screenwriter, Author, and Instructor: And as we turned into the entrance to the ER we looked at each other and I think Kathy was the one who said “In this moment our lives are changing forever.” Film Courage: You and Kathy have a new book that just…Life Lessons3 min read
Published in Film Courage·3 days agoWorst Thing Writers Can Do To Their Work — Kelly EdwardsFilm Courage: I think you’ve said you write for emotion not for gimmicks? Kelly Edwards, Staff Writer, Author, Producer: Yeah, I think that sometimes particularly when writers are starting from concepts and not really delving into the reason why people show up which is the character. Characters are motivated…Writing4 min read
Published in Film Courage·4 days agoWhen A 23-Year-Old Writer Sells Their Screenplay To Hollywood — Gary W. GoldsteinGary W. Goldstein, Author/Producer: This isn’t a negative, it’s just to be expected the studio would bring in other writers. Film Courage: Three Thousand [renamed Pretty Woman] was initially in a kind of one-room scenario (a hotel room)? Gary: It was in a hotel, very simple locations, it’s all…Writing3 min read
Published in Film Courage·5 days agoWhat Stops Artists From Reaching Their Goals? — Pete ChatmonPete Chatmon, Director/Podcaster/Author: Sometimes when you’re trying to make that transition, you’re on two surfboards but you can’t ride them both at the same time, it’s impossible. Film Courage: How many years was it between showing at Sundance and getting your first television directing job? Pete: I went to Sundance…Artist3 min read