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Passion projects. We all have them. Or at least we all should, in my opinion. That one film that MUST get made, no matter what. Your very own Megalopolis, I don't care about the costs in time, effort, and tears, it's getting done kind of project. Well, I have one too. As a matter of fact, I'm in pre-production on it now as I write this. The good people at Stage 32 (Thank you, Ashley!) are indulging me to share my story in real time, of getting this made. So, without further ado, here is the firs...

It’s true that the writing sample is the most important part of any query letter. However, you need to spend some time making sure that the query letter is solid as well. First impressions matter, and you can rub agents the wrong way if your query letter isn’t up to snuff. Here are the 10 biggest mistakes screenwriters make when querying. 1. Using A Generic Greeting If you are submitting a query letter, address the agent properly by name in your greeting. It’s unprofessional to use a...

When you write with the beat in mind, actors lean in—and so do the people looking for scripts that play. Defining 'the Beat' One of the most common yet elusive concepts in the craft of creating films, series, and theater is the "beat." It's a term screenwriters, actors, and directors throw around freely, but its meaning often varies depending on who you ask. To make this foundational concept crystal clear and practical for screenwriters, let's explore its historical roots, common interpretati...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? Whether you’ve been writing, filming, editing, or simply dreaming up your next big idea, I’ve got some inspiring content to fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This week’s featured video essay comes from FilmStack and takes a closer look at the quiet brilliance of Cillian Murphy. Most actors spend their careers chasing the spotlight. Cillian Murphy spent his time avoiding i...

I honestly believe the path to success is driven simply by action. It doesn’t matter how amazing/terrible you might be at something; without action, you won't experience any growth, and you won't progress towards your goals. Your dreams will never be realized and you’ll go through life always wondering what could’ve been. It’s not enough to want something in this life. Nobody is going to give you anything; you have to be willing to fight for i,t and you have to do so through action. Ideas are...

There are so many different aspects to your screenplay that will guarantee its success. A compelling story is one such aspect, but without interesting characters, the story will just fall flat. Here are some tips to help you write the best characters possible, and bring that story to life. 1. Make The Lead A Likable Person You may want to avoid this, as trying to make a character likable can often make the story dull and uninteresting. After all, if there's no one creating conflict, then the...

Happy Thursday, Creative Army! As you probably saw from my posts, I like to compare festivals and markets not against one another, but year over year. We had a fantastic Cannes last year, but there was still much apprehension in the air. Residue from COVID and the strikes, although even then, the international perspective remained optimistic. This year, the vibe was overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve returned to business as usual. The general feeling toward any negativity is that it’s all he...

Whether you are making Hollywood blockbusters, indie darlings, or passion projects in your back yard marketing your film on social media is incredibly beneficial. However, you may not be sure where to start. This article hopes to give you a guide, offering tips and advice on using social media as a creative. Create a Plan Work out what you want to share and when you want to share your posts. Take time to work out your target audience and post at the best times for them in order to get the m...

Let me start by saying that I’m very proud of my film. It’s called Rematch. It took a lot of time and elbow grease to finish, but it’s done and it’s out there. And that counts for something. That being said, I don’t have any delusions about what I made. The short film landscape is incredibly competitive. I don’t know how accurate it is, but I read that as many as 12,000 short films are produced each year. I assume the source of this number is festival submissions, which means the true number is...

Hey friends!The ONLY Animation Screenwriting Contest in the World is Back! Ever dreamt of seeing your animated script come to life on the big screen or stream on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! Our Grand Prize Winner will win a Career Accelerator prize package valued at $5,000 that includes script & career development, writer branding and an education package and will be set up on VIP MENTORSHIP meetings industry professiona...