American Screenwriters Association

THE LOGLINE FORMULA

As you all know by now, writing a quality logline is critical for successfully pitching your screenplay, and some would argue equally critical to writing your screenplay. After all, if you can't succinctly describe your movie in one enticing sentence, you may not really understand your own screenplay. Unfortunately, writing a great logline is much more difficult than you think! There are tons of scholarly articles out there explaining the path to creating a great logline, but there is one that I particularly like entitled "How to write a logline producers won't pass on." There is a free tool they offer if you sign up for their email list, too; Here is the link:

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/write-compelling-logline-examples/#What-is-a-logline?

Writing Effective Loglines

Posted with permission from Gideon's Screenwriting Tips:
(http://gideonsway.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/writing-effective-loglines/)

Here is more advice by Christopher Lockhart, Story Analyst at William Morris Endeavor Agency. It’s a lengthy article packed with useful information on constructing loglines, so take the time to read it thoroughly. Read more »

Should I Self-Produce my Screenplay?

Many screenwriters contemplate producing their own screenplay as a viable alternative to traditional selling/optioning. Self-production offers a quicker path to see your screenplay become a film. But should you? The answer is... it depends.

Producing a film requires many things: money, contacts, excellent organizational skills, marketing ability, and driving desire. So you need to be extremely clear and identify your reason for self-producing. Are you more interested in the writing side or the producing/development aspects? Do you really want to be a producer, or are you simply trying to circumvent the script selling? Is your screenplay good enough to sell?

Many screenwriters produce their screenplays because they want total artistic control (sometimes called a "vanity" film). Others self-produce because their screenplay is too controversial, or too personal for commercial viability. Still others dislike the pandering and marketing required to sell their scripts, although at some point, even a self-produced movie requires selling.

One all-too-common reason, though not readily admitted, is that the screenplay isn't "ready for prime time." If your screenplay isn't good enough to sell, it isn't good enough to produce.

Self-Producing is a laborious, frustrating, wonderful, painstaking, glorious endeavor, but only if you do it for the right reasons.

Celtx- A viable option?

Is Celtx a viable option to Final Draft?

Celtx is an open source alternative to Final Daft that has gained favor among many struggling screenwriters, mainly because it used to be free. Sadly, Celtx has become a product of its own success. Opting for a monthly subscription plan, Celtx is still "low cost," that is until you figure the long term cost of "ownership."

The basic plan is $15 per month (as of 6/17/19), which should present a fairly low barrier for most struggling screenwriters. For basically the cost of a Starbucks coffee, you get a rich, full-features screenwriting platform. But how does that actually stack up against the industry dynamo, Final Draft?

These days, you can own Final Draft, at full price, for $249.00 (which is not cheap). However, there are myriad discounts out there- Writer's Store offers, Education, and even a crazy $99 upgrade (which I personally just used). Even Celtx will cost you $180 for a full year, and at the end, you will simply have to renew again. I used Final Draft 8 for years before upgrading, so my "monthly" cost was about $

Just like in many other tool-intensive fields, there are a fair amount of "brand snobbery" among screenwriters and producers. It's akin to Makita (tools), Fender/Gibson (guitars), and so many more.

Sometimes, not having Final Draft can hinder you. There are some agents/producers/directors that want the Final Draft (.fdx) file so that they can make changes more easily. However, this is more of a "high-class" problem- if you get to the point where they are demanding a .fdx file, you've already won the battle and can afford to take the full-cost plunge.

So, Celtx may be a worthy option if you can't afford Final Draft, and you are okay with making monthly payments forever. Anything beats writing a screenplay in Word! Keep in mind there are other tools available, such as Fade In, Movie Magic Screenwriter, WriterDuet, and newcomer Studio Binder (part of a larger package, and currently FREE)!

How to Ensure That Your Screenplay Fails

Everyone seems to focus on what you should do to succeed as a screenwriter. We are getting a little bored with that, so we decided to focus on how to fail!

Use a variety of fonts to make your screenplay look more interesting. And while you are at it, print it on pink alligator embossed cardstock and bind it with yellow leather.
Suggest actors and actresses, because producers have no clue who would fit your characters.
Provide long location descriptions including all the colors in the sky, what the bystanders look like, all the restaurants and smells, and
while you are at it, explain why you chose those locations.
Include hundreds of named characters that have no lines and add nothing to the story line. Readers love to see long lists of names.
Make your screenplay over 130 pages long. If some is good, more is better.
Include your opinions of which camera angles, techniques, and directions should be used in each scene. Directors appreciate the help.
Give detailed instructions to actors to describe the character: "He speaks with a deep southern drawl, pronouncing his "A's" with a slight "Ow" sound. Make it more Alabama than Tennessee, but not too Texan." Or, "Since he is sad, be sure to include a partially pouty, partially down-turned mouth."
Right justify the whole screenplay. That way the reader doesn't have to open the yellow leather binder as much.
Include the amount you want to be paid for your screenplay on the front cover.
Most importantly, include a cover letter insisting on a sit-down with the producer, director, and actors insisting that you want final decision power for all changes to your screenplay.

Remember, its YOUR screenplay, and don't let THEM forget it!!!(Hopefully, you will identify the dripping sarcasm in this piece!)

Pardon My Aztec

Musings by our Past Executive Director!

Please read this humorous , but poignant look at dealing with "controversial" language in screenplays by our Past Executive Director, Ron Montana. Is you mother listening?

Although the article itself is a bit dated, the information is relevant, even in today's "F-Bomb" world! Click Here for the PDF article

Get Listed on IMDB

IMDB is considered by many to be the most influential and visible place to be listed as a member of the movie or television industry. It is the "Who's Who" for actors, directors, producers, writers, and production crew members, and should be a significant part of your promotion strategy. We are frequently asked how to get listed. It's easier than you think!

Visit the IMDb Resume website (see Resources below for the link) and click on the "Get Started Now" button.
Enter your email address, check the "No, I am a new customer" box and click "Next."
Complete the registration form.
Enter your professional or "stage" name and click "Search." When the results come up, check the box next to "None of These People" and click "Next."
Upload one or more headshots and click "Next."
Fill in all your credits, clicking "Save" after each one. Click "Next."
If applicable, fill in your representation (i.e., agent) information. Click "Next."
Fill in any Guild affiliations and click "Next."
Fill in your education information and click "Next."
Fill in your training information and click "Next."
Click "Finish" and then click "Subscribe Now" if you are ready to publish your resume on IMDb.
Supply your credit card information and click "OK."

Film Your Own Script?

With so many screenplays being written, how do you separate yourself from crowd?

Increasingly, screenwriters are using modern cameras and film-making software to create short showcase films from their screenplays. Creating a short film serves many purposes- it's a low cost door opener, it shows that you are capable of completing a project, and it proclaims loudly that you are the real deal (a rare commodity in Hollywood these days).

Short films can be made relatively inexpensively with a video camera and decent video editing software. Consider contacting your local university or theater group for talent (both in front of, and behind the camera). They are frequently looking for projects they can cut their teeth on.

When you make your own short film, you have complete control. Use it to your benefit and showcase the strengths of your screenplay. It will be a "calling card," of sorts, and may be eligible for inclusion in IMDB.

If you enter the short into film contests, and then win (even an honorable mention), you may start building excitement about your project. Just look at the Saw franchise, Alive in Joburg (District 9, Elyssium), The Customer is Always Right (Sin City), and many more.

If you have a project you are committed to, and work diligently to secure enough funding to make a quality short, you just may crack that glass ceiling sooner than would be otherwise possible.

Screenwriting Tips from Billy Wilder

It is undeniable that learning screenwriting from Billy Wilder would be priceless. He was one of the greatest, and most prolific screenwriters ever to grace the silver screen. His plucky style and no-nonsense writing wowed, thrilled and charmed millions Read more »

Words Matter

Words matter when writing your screenplay. Tight, concise, efficient writing is key to selling your screenplay, as readers will likely round-file your project if it's "fat." Read more »