Writing the Second Screenplay

Wednesday 10/28/09 time 4:12 PM

A long, long, time ago I ran a half marathon. I ran a half marathon to prove to myself that impossible things are possible. You see, at the time, I was starting to feel that my dream of being a screenwriter was nuts. Crazy. Impossible. And so, I trained. And one cold, rainy day in November, I ran the Seattle Half Marathon. I got a medal and one of those tin foil blankets. I felt awesomely super-human, because frankly, I'm no runner.

Now the good news is that I proved to myself that the impossible is possible. And the impossible did happen screenplay-wise. But the bad news is that I didn't run again for six months.

So why am I telling you all this?

Lots of people achieve the impossible. They write a first draft original screenplay. It's a monumental task. For all the people who say they are "working on a screenplay" only a fraction ever cross the finish line to write FADE OUT.

But the effort of that first draft, the commitment, the time away from friends and interests and TV has been almost too much. And so, the first-time screenwriter takes a break. And the break turns into months and pretty soon it's years. Before you know it, the screenplay books are in a box at the garage sale. Sigh...

Mark and I know this. We know it's hard to keep working. That's why we cooked up some Advance Classes. Because we hope people will continue to write. And we know that we can get you hooked so that when you're driving in your car, or walking your dog you'll actually be thinking about how the bank robbers could use art supplies to bust open the safe. Isn't that the GREATEST feeling? Nobody knows that you're cracking a scene. It'll be our little secret.

A few weeks ago we had our first workshop. We loved it. Former students, many of whom admitted they hadn't really stayed "in shape" for another big race, laced up and got going on brilliant new ideas for screenplays. One screenwriter told us: "I feel inspired! Mark and Mary's class was just the injection of creativity I needed." Mark and I are thrilled!

November 21st we'll have another workshop. This one is about perfecting the Step Outline. Again, our past students know that if they wrestle that bad-boy to the ground; if they make their idea work structurally. If the hero is active, if the world is interesting, if the laws of the genre are followed, they will have the blueprint they need to get through the first draft.

I like to think of it as an expedition. If you bring the right stuff, pack your backpack right; then it's just one foot after the other through that first draft. That's why the Step Outline is so very important. Step by step...

Big Ideas in Salt Lake City

Monday 9/21/09 time 12:24 PM

I want to thank the many screenwriters, and aspiring screenwriters who came to the Salt Lake City Library on Saturday, for my workshop on developing strong screenplay ideas.

It was exciting to watch people test their idea, to see if it really should be a movie. The fact is, writing a feature-length screenplay is hard work; and spending months on an idea that should probably be a country-western song, or a stage play, or a novel, is way harder!

Salt Lake City is home to some real film buffs, and I was impressed to find so many people who knew their way around three-act-structure and simple, effective loglines. Even the beginners were crafting impressive loglines! You guys rocked!

During the workshop, I confirmed my long-held suspicion that offering a pitching workshop in Salt Lake or Park City during Sundance would be awesome.

Everyone with a screenplay should know how to tell people about it. Especially if movie producers, agents and managers are swarming your home town! 

Stay tuned for more information about a pitching workshop in January!