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Archive for the ‘Thoughts’ Category

Another month flew by…

Monday, December 15th, 2008

… and the sole reason for this post is that i´ve written something in december.

I´m still quite busy with my new flat and a last job in the year 2008, so i also have to say that my monthly wrap-ups are on hold for now.

I´ll start again in the new year (such a nice date to restart) and will publish them just like Mytery Man in irregular intervals – a lot easier for me.

My last brave action on this website for this year was to fix my broken showreal (just noticed that it was broken, i hope not for too long).

Well, so far i think that´s it for 2008, unless i´ve got something really huge to say i´ll read you in 2009 – bigger better stronger of course (or at least a little bit more often).

Lazy or Stessed – a Status Report

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

The reason why i´m not writing a lot at the moment is somewhere in between, so much for the short answer.

But first things first, about 1,5 months ago i started an internship as a writers / directors assistant for Toni Weiss and Dirk Meints at Moving Target Films (both screenwriters and directors). I can´t honor this chance enough – this is the thing i was trying to achieve in my last years in film & commercial business.
The greatest thing about that assistant job is that i´m not only there for answering calls, copy something oder type – i´m involved in ongoing project development and my voice is heard – i´m greatful for that.

The next task thats keeping me busy is a new theater play called “Stones”. I´m working with Christian Krall again and this time i feel ready for a second actor – Peter Marktl. We will premiere in April in Klagenfurt, Carinthia and there is some work to do – more details about that wil follow.

And the last big thing in my life is not business realated but nevertheless important – i bought an apartment together with my girlfriend and we´re moving in at the end of this month.

Well, my path is pretty clear and i really like where it´s heading…

Monthly wrap-up September

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

And here we go again, another month raced by.
I am posting these wrap-ups for almost a year now and hopefully they are of interest for some readers.

The thought behind that posts is to gather the most interesting articles in the screenwriting blogosphere out there. While some articles are about a very particular topic that focuses on current movies or answer a specific question, other articles may be of interest for a longer period of time since they deal with fundamental screenwriting or directing topics. I thought it might be a good idea to mark those articles that have a greater value with a little symbol:

So from now on articles that have “richer content” are accompanied by this little star.

The Dark Knight – revisited by Adam

It´s not stopping yet, TDK still is a topic – and that for a reason. Adam writes about the script (a link to the script included!).

Younglings by Alex Epstein

This is one really insightful answer to the question “What should i do with my life”. Study screenwriting? Do something different?

Big Choices – and what´s it ABOUT? by Amanda

A person is driven by his / her big choices – and so are your characters.

What I Learned in Hollywood by Kevin Lehane

Kevin writes about some facts he realized when he moved to Hollywood – the grass ain´t greener on the other side…

PACHEW! Sounds in Your Script by Julie Gray

Certainly this is a topic that, when beeing overdone, really annoys. But on the other side including sounds can help.

Visual Storytelling – Kieslowskis “Blue” by Mystery Man

How often have you read “show don´t tell”? And how often have you read how to accomplish that? MM analyzes “Blue”, the first movie in Kieslowskis trilogy “Three Colors” (a little note by myself: that´s a movie you have to watch more than once to get all the little greatnesses.)

Transparency in Judging Scripts by Julie Gray

You want to know what happens to your script after you let it out into the wild? Julie tells you.

On Breaking Structure by Mystery Man

How do films like Memento or Irreversible fit into the three-act-structure? They do pretty well, MM writes about how to break the structure.

Interview with Darren Aronofsky Part I Part II Part III by Slashfilm

An very interesting interview with writer / director Darren Aronofsky about The Wrestler and his future projects.

Repeated Words and Alliterations by Julie Gray

Sreenplays are not novels, but nevertheless you should take care of your spelling and grammar.

Decor – Does it Matter? by Julie Gray

Should you describe every little detail of the locations in your script? Not really, how to deal with decor can be read in that post.

Spec What You Love by Alex Epstein

If you love to write SciFi or fantasy scripts, would it make sense to write drama on spec just to prove that you can write other genres as well?

The purpose of drama, and its relationship to Cameron Diaz’s ass by John August

What purpose should drama serve, tell a story, change peoples lives, both?

Managers and Writers – Group Hug by Julie Gray

This article is very valuable when searching for a writer (as manager) or a manager (as writer).

Wackos we have hired by Ken Levine

Ken sums up his personal experience with writers assistans and secretaries – very funny read.

Monthly wrap up August

Monday, September 1st, 2008


Here the most interesting posts from August:

Screenwriting Structure Part 17: The Midpoint by Unk

Unk continues his series, this time he talks about the midpoint.

What not to pitch by Julie Gray

Julie spent two days on a pitch fest – she knows what to pitch and what rather not.

Stop blaming your cast by Clive

If your movie sucks you should probably blame the story and not the cast.

Elegant Universe: Patterns in writers by Julie Gray

A really funny post about habits different writers develop.

A Diamond in The Rough by Unk

No matter how little budget you have, no matter if your equipment is not up to date – all that matters is the story.

Screenwriting Structure Part 18: Complications and Higher Stakes by Unk

Next part deals, as the title says, with complications and higher stakes.

The Assistant Files by Julie Gray

Julie started a series where different assistants blog about their work.

3 Common Film Script Errors by Clive

Clive points out three major flaws of screenplays – avoid them in the beginning and your script will be a lot better.

The Doctor is In by Julie Gray

Wow, Julie is really busy – another series where a psychologist answers reader questions – great. This post is about grief.

How to Make it Big in Hollywood Baby! by Independent Filmmaker

What can you do to earn some credibility and get yourself known? This post gives some hints.

The “T” Word by Julie Gray

A great post about the little word “talent”.

Post Buzz Blues by John August

John answers a readers question: He made a movie and a producer got interested, but now the buzz seems to fade and no one is calling – what to do?

Great Character Profiles by Unk

Unk posts some links to youtube videos where character development is explained.

Should You Write a Short Script by Julie Gray

Would a writer benefit from writing a short film screenplay? In my opinion – yes, but read the post…

Are You Ready for Success? by Julie Gray

While asking yourself why everyone in business is so unfair you probably should ask yourself if you´re ready to be successful.

How to Write a Spec(tacular) Pilot – Step Four by Jane

In this post it´s all about the story – the series plot and the episode plot.

A Look at “The Dark Knight” Script by Mystery Man

This time i´ll end the wrap up with another Dark Knight topic – Mystery Man talks about the overwhelming screenplay about that movie.

Monthly wrap up July

Thursday, August 7th, 2008


Finally the most interesting posts from July:

10 Reasons why i loved The Dark Knight by Peter Sciretta

Since we poor Europeans have to wait until August 21st, reading the stunning reviews and watching the trailer over and over again is the only thing we can do so far.

If you pay peanuts, you get monkies by Film Industry Bloggers

One big issue of the movie business (or probably business at all) is that everybody tries to pay you less.

The Rouge Wave mailbag by Julie Gray

May “we” use the term “we see” in the script?

How to make a good script great by Julie Gray

Five great tips on how to improve your screenplay.

Nolan on scripting The Dark Knight by Mystery Man

Christopher Nolan talks about the screenplay of The Dark Knight.

Simple is better than accurate by John August

Sometimes it´s better to describe difficult topics simple than scientifically accurate – don´t bore the reader.

Mastering the pitch by Jill Golick

Some advices for a sucessful pitch.

Voice: What does that even mean? by Julie Gray

How to write with a unique “voice” like John August, Diablo Cody or Quentin Tarantino do.

The central question by Unk

What is the central question of a screenplay and how to develop it.

How to write a spectacular pilot: Step 3 by Jane

Jane continues her series about writing a pilot, this time the topics are heroes and villians.

12 things all amateur screenwriters should know by Mystery Man

A very amusing list of 12 things every beginner should know.

Handling a characters POV shot by John August

How to describe a POV shot?