Welcome to the first blog post of 2017 (better late than never, right). For this post, I decided to start off the year with a collection of screenwriting resources. What follows is a collection of various places where you can expand your knowledge of writing\screenwriting\creative influence.
The reason I decided to do this is simple. I’ve recently come across a couple of websites online that seem to offer how to get your screenplay done. For the most part, these sites are spam and not worth your time\money. They are usually easy to spot if you know what you’re looking at, but they do tend to hide behind the right words and phrases that get you into paying your cold hard cash to them.
Firstly, if you find one of these pages. Look it over, well. Every page. Read the whole site. The old saying is usually correct. If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is. For any site that you think might be a bit suspect (and I’m not saying all are) there are few things to look at usually.
- Check the reviews using Google, or Bing. See what people have said about it. If you can’t find any that way, it’s usually not a good sign. Look for forum posts, or blogs, where people have used the page.
- Check the wording. Often on these sites they will use lots of “buzzwords” to get your attention. These are usually marketing words, and most of the time easy to spot, e.g. “truly amazing solution” “a masterpiece””system is outstanding”. These are just a sample, and while not always an indicator, usually do point to a bad place.
- Does the site have free sample videos? If so, watch through some. Do they give you any information? Or do they repeat the same phrases multiple times, in different ways? The fake\spam\bad sites usually do. They attempt to get you into paying with free videos that sound like they are telling you a system. Listen carefully.
This list is not generally exhaustive, and there can be many other indicators. But this is just a general starter. Most of the time, especially if you’re just starting out, there is a wealth of FREE information out there. Find that. Even if you’re an experienced (or semi experienced) writer. Use the free ones. You may be surprised about what it helps you with on your project. It may just strike a chord that enables you to get past a block in your writing.
Without further ado, here’s a list of as many free links as I could get my hands on (this is by no means exhaustive). Most (if not all) of these are working screenwriters in TV or Film.
Twitter Accounts:
Jon Roger (Creator of Leverage and Working TV writer). Usually gives a lot of screenwriting advice through his twitter account
Jane Espenson (Writer for Buffy, Battlestar, OUAT, and Creator of Husbands webseries) – Follow for writing sprints and advice.
Joss Whedon (Pretty sure no explanation needed on this one. Creator of Buffy. Just follow) 🙂
James Moran British writer on a lot of shows. Link to his page with advice on his twitter profile.
Scott Derrickson Writer\Director for Marvel’s Doctor Strange
Zack Stentz – Writer on lots of movies. Passes lots of advice on his twitter.
Gail Simone – Comicbook and scriptwriter.
Robert Hewitt Wolfe Writer and producer for TV. Currently on Elementary.
Neil Gaiman – Book author and scriptwriter for TV.
Writing Blogs:
Final Draft Blog Multiple blog posts about screenwriting, and learning.
Screencraft – Arrival Movie – Arrival Screenwriter discuss how he “beat” Hollywood
Go into the Story – Blogsite for the blacklist. Blog posts about all aspects of screenwriting. There is also masterclasses, which are well worth there value, including coming up a craft package with discount for all 10 of Scott Myers craft classes Craft Package
Write a drama pilot in 45 days – Short course on writing a pilot of drama television.
So, as I said, this is by no means an exhaustive list. But it should give you a start on your screenwriting journey, or maybe help you along if your stuck on a problem in your script.
As I’ve always stated here, I am by no means an expert. But that’s why I like to link these here, and put MY opinions on writing. Anything on this site is always just my opinion, and you can take it and use it, or take it and ignore it. The choice is yours.
Goodluck in your screenwriting journey, Screenwriters.
Dreaming Screenwriter 