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Fact or Fiction: Screenwriting Myths Debunked

Whether you have already written and even sold a number of screenplays, or you are embarking on your first screenwriting adventure, be wary of the bounty of screenwriting advice available from well-meaning “experts.” Take any advice, including the following, with a heaping teaspoon of salt. As the Buddha said, “believe nothing, no matter where you [...]

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When’s The Best Day To Start Working On Your Screenplay?

Many people intend to write a screenplay “someday.” For most of them, someday never comes. You’ll never not be busy (well, not while you’re breathing and after that writing becomes even more difficult). You’ll never be all caught up. Therefore… The best day to start is today. Don’t have time to sit down and have [...]

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Why Dialogue In Scripts Often Sucks (And How To Fix It)

In an article in Wired magazine, Dan Ariely mentions a study that shows online daters restrict themselves to safe topics, resulting in boring conversations. Hmm, that reminds me of a lot of movie dialogue, especially in scripts from newer writers. When I bring this up in workshops, the usual reply is, “Yes, but that’s how [...]

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Why Screenwriters Should Imitate Odysseus

Do you remember the bit in the Odyssey where Odysseus lashes himself to the mast? He knew that the Sirens (two seductive bird women) could lure sailors with their enchanting music and songs to shipwreck on the rocky coast of the island where they lived. He instructed his men to stuff their ears with wax [...]

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What Can You Learn About Screenwriting By Watching Good (Or Bad) Films?

Attending good workshops is a great way to learn the art and craft of screenwriting, and you also can learn a lot by watching good and bad movies. Watch once for enjoyment, then once or twice more for analysis. Here are some of the questions to answer: How does the film pull in the viewer [...]

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How to Use Google As Your Research Assistant

By Jurgen Wolff   If you already know the topic of a screenplay that you intend to write, start your research ahead of time. A great way to do this is to set up a Google Alert for relevant topics. Once a day (or another frequency you choose), Google will email you a list of [...]

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Raindance Trailer- A 10 Day Micro-Budget Miracle

It’s Easier Than You Think So on December 10th Tiska asked Elli and I if we could make a trailer for Raindance. “It needs to be shot this month.” “Yeah, we can do that.” “And it needs to be good.” “Of course it’ll be good.” “No but really, it needs to be good quality.” “Sure [...]

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Founder Elliot Grove Talkin’ ’bout the Devil

This Aoril 2012 programme is an episode of Gwen Elliot’s Start Something Big. Upon graduating from Toronto’s Ryerson, Gwen found herself where many Millennials do: moving back home with the parents while trying to find that elusive ‘dream job.’ While trying to find it, she studied hundreds of successful people to find out how they [...]

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10 Tricks and Traps of Film Producing

by Elliot Grove PRODUCING FEATURE FILMS is an occupation fraught with danger, mishaps and misfortune. As Shakespeare said: many a slip twixt cup and lip. Here are the ten areas where new producers trip up. Here are some observations I have made during my 20 years of running the Raindance Film Festival. 1. Measure Success [...]

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Shit Filmmakers Say

Introducing myself as an editor, I always get the same questions, ‘What do you edit on?’, ‘do you grade?’, ‘Can you do sound?’, and ‘may I see your showreel?’ I don’t get asked ‘Exactly how old are you?’, ‘I’m sorry but what mark did you get at university?’,’ or ‘So what do you really do?’ [...]

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