OUTSIDE INTERESTS

14 Things

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14 things I need to remember while I get back into the groove of screenwriting:

  • The sky’s the limit because you haven’t seen a budget.
  • The producer probably isn’t going to let you break an actress’ teeth with a shovel but you can write the scene anyway.
  • Christopher Walken doesn’t work for scale so stop trying to write him in.
  • When you know you’ll be at the helm, you only have your own imagination stopping you from getting the shot so aim high.
  • It’s a movie – pretend and make-believe, but the audience still won’t buy a unicorn fighting a zombie on post-apocalyptic Mars.
  • There are no unicorns in your story and it doesn’t take place on Mars.
  • You probably shouldn’t write while high on antihistamines.
  • Your audience isn’t stupid.
  • It is never a dark and stormy night, except when it is, but unless the dark and stormy night is a character, don’t dwell on the weather.
  • Weather is not the same as atmosphere.
  • If it hurts you to break your character’s heart, break it twice.
  • If a character utters the words, “Well as you know …”, you need to work on your exposition.
  • Your heroes are Serling and Koepp and Walker. Remember why you love them.
  • Get back to work.

 

 

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Just this fox. I'm a writer of horror and dark fantasy. I totally don't brag about it. The latter statement is an utter lie.
  • Micah
    July 18, 2012 - 9:05 am

    The last point is the one I should be paying attention to, but now you’ve go me thinking about a unicorn fighting a zombie. I would totally buy that.

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