Every screenwriting teacher talks about Theme. But do you actually need it? If you’re unfamiliar, THEME generally refers to what the writer is really trying to say: the takeaway, the mission statement, if you will. It’s often a truism or observation about life, like: no good deed goes unpunished, or love will find a way….
You write because you have something to say. Yes, we get it. We all do. We all want to be heard, get our point across, and maybe even make a difference in this world. After all, the word is mightier than the sword. However, that can sometimes lead us to go overboard and we forget…
March 17th through May 31st 2025 We’ve gotten hundreds of writers read by our management panels, which has resulted in over 80 meetings, writers working with managers on developing new material, writers signed to agencies and management companies, and even a big spec sale — when manager Jake Wagner sold writer Brandon Barker’s script “Nottingham…
Psst: That screenwriter may be you Through Dec. 31, 2024, use code MERRY10 to save 10% off any gift certificate! There’s always that one person who’s pain in the butt to buy for, right? Well, if that person is a screenwriter, look no further. Santa Cheecho is here with the perfect gift for any…
Takeaways from the American Film Market ’24 Earlier this month, Las Vegas played host to the fabled American Film Market. This is the annual marketplace where distribution deals are made, foreign sales are negotiated, packages are packaged, and buyers and sellers from all over the world converge to schmooze and hopefully make new relationships. Now…
With Any Coverage for a Screenplay Centering Around a Holiday Yes, any holiday that takes place at any time during the year. From January to December. From Diwali to Ramadan. From Talk Like a Pirate Day to Festivus. If your script centers around a holiday–or, at the very least, a holiday plays a…
There’s a whole hidden infrastructure in Hollywood devoted to tracking and scoring Open Assignments. Come get some. (Note: This article was originally published in 2019, and some of the people mentioned have moved on.) It’s not just about specs. The vast majority of a working screenwriter’s income often comes from assignments. We spoke…
Yes, we know, eyes are glazing over at the thought of yet another missive about formatting. Look, guys, you don’t want to give the gatekeepers a reason to pass on your script before they’ve even read it. And if they open the PDF and it’s clear that the author doesn’t know the difference between sheeeit…
SLUG LINES are one of the most useful tools in a writer’s arsenal. Get to know them and love them! They serve many functions. Of course, we all know they can tell us where we are… INT. JOANIE’S CLOSET – DAY But they can also be used to call attention to a certain character or…
According to the WGA, no one is supposed to write anything in Hollywood without getting paid for it. Yeah, about that… by Jim Cirile Here’s a topic that may shock those of you who hope to one day sell a spec or maybe even make a living as a screenwriter. And that is:…