NoFilmSchool » script

Amazon Studios Backtracks: New Terms Give Fair Treatment to Writers

Joe Marine — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:53:30 +0000

This story got swallowed up by all of the recent NAB coverage, but I think it’s very important. Much has been said here about Amazon Studios, but it quickly became clear that it was not designed to help independent filmmakers, especially those without any ties to the industry. By industry standards, the terms that Amazon Studios were giving to writers was almost laughable. For 18 months Amazon had a free option on your script. No protection at all. All of the other positives of the initiative go out the window when you lose your script for that long without any option to do anything else with it. But Amazon has changed their mind and has decided to give some fair terms to those who submit scripts. (more…)

Looking for Screenwriting Answers? John August Launches Screenwriting.io

Ryan Koo — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:02:15 +0000

Screenwriter John August, whose blog is already a treasure trove of valuable information for screenwriters, has launched a new site compiled from his Q&As over the years. Whereas his blog is just that — a blog, arranged in reverse chronological order — the new site, Screenwriting.io, is designed to do one thing: automated Q&A. In John’s words, “there’s a need for high-quality answers to basic screenwriting questions.” The site is currently in beta and is looking for feedback, so go try it out and let ‘em know what you think!

Link: Screenwriting.io

Here's a Free 72-Minute Master Class with Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman.

Ryan Koo — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:39:54 +0000

NAB ended a week ago, yet I feel like I’ve still got several roundup posts to write. However, I’ve been spending most of my days working on a screenplay in a nearby coffee shop because, like many people, I find something about the public space to inspire more creativity (or at least productivity). In the writing spirit, then, let’s enroll (virtually) in a master class from the Göteborg Film Festival, where brilliant screenwriter Charlie Kaufman held court for over an hour about his craft: (more…)

Don't Fool Around in April: Write 100 Pages in 30 Days for the Annual Script Frenzy Challenge

Ryan Koo — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:02:14 +0000

Every year the annual screenwriting challenge Script Frenzy asks participants to write 100 pages of script in 30 days. The grand prize? You win your own completed script. There are no awards other than the resulting feeling of accomplishment (and the movie that may get made as a result of your writing). I’m going to participate unofficially, as I have a just-completed hand-written first draft that I’m going to type up and revise twice in the month of April. Here are the official contest details: (more…)

Scripped is Free Cloud-Based Screenwriting Software

Ryan Koo — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:35:51 +0000

Here’s an interesting idea. Scripped is a sort of Google Docs for screenplays, in that is stores your script in the cloud (making it accessible from anywhere, and theoretically impervious to data loss). There’s also an online community allowing realtime collaboration and feedback, and there are a number of ongoing screenwriting contests as well. Scripped is free to use, with upgraded features available as a paid subscription. Here’s a look at it in action: (more…)

Everything You Need to Know to Use Free Screenwriting Software Celtx

Ryan Koo — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 16:18:00 +0000

In the NoFilmSchool newsletter — which you should subscribe to, if you’re not already, because it includes exclusive content not contained on this site — I recommend beginning screenwriters check out the free screenwriting software Celtx. You won’t find many pros using it (with Final Draft being the industry standard), but you can’t beat it for the price. Now, thanks to FilmmakerIQ there’s also a huge compilation of training resources for the screenwriting program. (more…)

Four Ways to Improve Your Screenplay (from John August)

Ryan Koo — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 21:43:29 +0000

One of the more popular screenwriting blogs out there, Johnaugust.com is (fittingly enough) the site of screenwriter John August (Go, Big Fish, Corpse Bride). It lives up to its tagline, “a ton of useful information about screenwriting.” Occasionally John records a “scriptcast,” which is a video tutorial dissecting and improving a short scene. I recently found his scriptcast on writing better action to come in handy for my own project, but he’s recorded several, and I would expect that one or more of these could apply to your own screenplay. (more…)

Screenwriting competitions: Nicholl, Scriptapalooza, Script P.I.M.P

Ryan Koo — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:00:13 +0000

The April 1 deadline for the last two screenplay competitions I posted has passed, but if you’ve got a feature or TV script sitting on your hard drive doing nothing, it’s worth checking out Scriptapalooza and Script P.I.M.P (seriously, that’s your name?) for a chance at prize money and exposure. After all, those in the know say “films get made by getting them out there, opening up, and making relationships — the more you open up and get feedback, that’s how your film gets made.”

When it comes to screenplay competitions, however, the BMOC is the Nicholl Fellowship, which is part of AMPAS (better known as the group that puts together the Oscars). From the horse’s mouth:

The Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting is the world’s most esteemed screenwriting competition. Each year up to five $30,000 fellowships are awarded to authors who have previously earned less than $5,000 writing for film or television.

The Nicholl deadline is May 1.

Why didn't we think of this before?

Ryan Koo — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:52:48 +0000

Along with The West Side co-creator Zachary Lieberman, this is my house in Costa Rica for the next two months. Why are we here? To get some work done. Really! (more…)