All
Clear all
Cancel
Apply
img
img

What Is A Story Hook?

Let’s get back to some very basic elements of story, since the past few chapters have been a little head-spinning, deep, and oddly esoteric. Whether you’re writing a pilot, a feature, an epic fantasy novel or a small YA series with some juicy romance, or even if you’re sitting around a campfire enjoying the last few days of warm...
img
img

Goals: Driving the Narrative

  • James "Doc" Mason
  • .November 18, 2024
As with every story element described in this series, the goal relates directly back to the idea of conflict. To reiterate, in its most basic form, conflict is when someone wants something and another person doesn’t want them to have it.More specifically, narrative conflict is typically when one character proactively pursues a g...
img
img

11 Writing Quotes You Should Take Notice Of (Part 2)

This entry is part 2 of 2 in a series on Writing Quotes.6) A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end, but not necessarily in that order. ~ Jean-Luc GodardNon-linear storytelling is a difficult technique to pull off and it varies greatly. From Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol which starts at an event and the rolls f...
img
img

I Hate to Break It to You, But Your Logline Isn't Working

(Be like Hermione…study, read, practice, be smart.)I am going to vent a little bit in today’s post, but it’s because you all need to hear it. I’ll hold myself back as much as I can. Please remember that I am coming to you with love and positive intention here, I swear.Your logline sucks.OK, so maybe I didn’t hold myself back. I ...
img
img

11 Writing Quotes You Should Take Notice Of (Part 1)

This entry is part 1 of 2 in a series on Writing Quotes.By the time any writer becomes successful, they’ve typically gathered a war chest worth of things not to do. If one is doing it right, you’re writing, reading, listening, and learning a ton of how to and not to write.Let’s see what lessons successful writers have learned.1)...
img
img

So You Finished a Draft... Now What?

RewritingIt’s something we all need to deal with, and there is no getting around it. Rewriting, rewriting, rewriting. In the last post, I talked about writer’s block and, well, how and why writer’s block is pretty much a whole bunch of bullshit, and to again quote Terry Pratchett, “something invented by people in California who ...
img
img

Are Your Scenes Boring? 8 Ways To Change That

  • Staff Writer
  • .November 6, 2024
Nothing makes a reader’s mind wander faster than a boring scene which makes them lose interest in your screenplay and scroll or flip through your pages without actively reading or engaging with them. Here are some creative ways to identify and even rectify that:1) Character StereotypesThe characters are a carbon copy of what aud...
img
img

The Truth About Contests and Education

Max Timm and The Story Farm offer all of his Substack content to ISA members for free, but a week or more after the original post was sent. If you would like to receive his most up to date Substack posts, as well as participate in a community of writers through his subscription and the Substack app, you can do so by going here, ...
img
img

Writing Morally Gray Characters, Part 2

This article is a continuation of Writing Morally Gray Characters, Part 1. Politics Is A Dirty Gray“Politics is a dirty business, but if you do not do politics, politics will be done to you.” So states novelist Will Shetterly.Many movies and TV series about politics shows the absolute compromising nature of politics. Gray charac...
img
img

ISA Staff Picks: November 2024

These screenplays and their writers were selected by ISA staff members as standouts in their genres and formats for the month of November 2024. They are being submitted to agents, managers, producers and production companies actively looking for writers to rep or projects to produce.  ETERNAL PURSUIT by Benjamin Font (Feature)Lo...
img
img

Writing Morally Gray Characters, Part 1

When you speak of gray in life, you’re normally talking about a mainly colorless tapestry. But morally gray characters, those considered not good nor bad, neither heroes not villains, are some of the more complex characters you can write. Even more interesting, is a psychological phenomenon that allows our audiences to embrace a...
img
img

10 Recent Horror Movies That Weren’t Afraid To Push Their Boundaries

  • Staff Writer
  • .October 28, 2024
Horror films have been a staple of our screens since the inception of film, especially during Halloween month. It seems of late that these films have become more bold and daring in mashing up and contorting the traditional genre of scares to create a new entertainment experience.1) Alien: Romulus (2024)The Alien franchise is bui...
img
img

ISA Celebrated Writers Fall 2024

  • October 25, 2024
With are thrilled to announce our inaugural list of ISA Celebrated Writers!These writers' projects have been evaluated by multiple ISA readers, advancing through several rounds in the Writing Gig consideration process. Their loglines stood out from the crowd, catching the eyes of our team. After being heavily considered for our ...
img
img

Would It Kill You To Smile 2? Writer/Director Returns With A Gorier Sequel

  • Staff Writer
  • .October 25, 2024
The premise of a trauma-driven supernatural entity infecting people and causing them to violently bludgeon themselves to death began in Parker Finn’s 2020 short film Laura Hasn’t Slept. It centers on the nightmares of Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey) featuring a smiling face, eventually forcing her into state of somniphobia (fear o...
img
img

"How JT Mollner Used 'Halloween' to Inspire Horror Film 'Strange Darling'"

  • Staff Writer
  • .October 21, 2024
“Strange Darling came to me through an initial image that I saw of a woman running through the woods in distress,” says JT Mollner of his horror film that can be described as a mix of a bloody popcorn wild ride and art.“I’ve read countless stories about serial killers which gave me some inspiration to show a different side of th...
img
img

The Trigger – More Than An Inciting Incident

  • James "Doc" Mason
  • .October 18, 2024
While even the non-writer will recognize that the climax is the character’s final battle, the end of the story, fewer know what to call the start of the story. Remember, there is no story without conflict. Therefore the story starts with a clear conflict. Writers will know the Inciting Incident or Inciting Event is often describ...
img
img

Screenwriters Alfred Gough & Miles Millar Talk “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

  • Staff Writer
  • .October 16, 2024
Beetlejuice was a playful foray into horror comedy in 1998 depicting the gentrification of family neighborhood Winter River with left-field visionary director Tim Burton at the helm. A follow up film was discussed for over three decades since Michael Keaton first exclaimed “It’s Showtime” as his iconic Betelgeuse character.After...
img
img

ISA Staff Picks: October 2024

These screenplays and their writers were selected by ISA staff members as standouts in their genres and formats for the month of October 2024. They are being submitted to agents, managers, producers and production companies actively looking for writers to rep or projects to produce.  RAZE by Dana Speer and Nick Hagen (Feature)Lo...
img
img

Follow Your Inner Compass

  • Brock Swinson
  • .September 30, 2024
“Follow Your Inner Compass” Richard Tanne on ‘Chemical Hearts’ & ‘Southside With You’:“I’m one of those lifelong film geeks,” joked writer/director Richard Tanne. “I was one of those kids with a lot of creative energy, but didn’t know it at the time, so I channeled it through misbehaving.” Tanne’s parents worked out a system wit...
img
img

Understanding the First Half of Your 2nd Act

Understanding the First Half of Your 2nd Act with Some Help from Harry and Sally:Sequence 5: Let’s Get Into ItYou’re rumbling along on a road trip with your girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse, or partner. Let’s just set that stage for a second. You’ve been on the road for a few hours. The high and excitement of hitting the open road ...

Loading more....

DON’T MISS THESE CONTESTS
img
ENTER TODAY
EARLY Deadline:
November 21, 2024
  • Consultant, Cash, Connections
Add to Calendar
11/21/2024 12:00 America/Los_Angeles 11/21/2024 12:00 ISA Fast Track Fellowship Contest De...
img
ENTER TODAY
REGULAR Deadline:
November 22, 2024
  • Consultant, Consultant, Connec
Add to Calendar
11/22/2024 12:00 America/Los_Angeles 11/22/2024 12:00 Action/Adventure Screenplay Festival
img
ENTER TODAY
REGULAR Deadline:
November 22, 2024
  • Cash, Connections, Cash
Add to Calendar
11/22/2024 12:00 America/Los_Angeles 11/22/2024 12:00 Horror Underground Screenplay Festival
img
ENTER TODAY
EXTENDED Deadline:
November 23, 2024
  • Resource, Connections, Resourc
Add to Calendar
11/23/2024 12:00 America/Los_Angeles 11/23/2024 12:00 Hollywood Just4Shorts Film and Screenplay Competition Contest De...
More
SUBMIT TO WRITING GIGS
PAID $$
Production Company Seeks Romantic Features
PAID $$
Production Company Seeks Sports Drama Features
PAID $$
Production Company Seeks Action-Comedy Features
PAID $$
Production Company Seeks High-Octane Action Features
PAID $$
Production Company Seeks Features With a Fantastical Voyage
More

Top Screenwriting Info Straight to Your Inbox

Articles, Videos, Podcasts, Special Offers & Much More

Thanks for subscribing email.
img
Conversations
img
img
img
img
Typing....
close
Privacy Notice

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you accept and understand our Privacy Settings.