NEWS and ARTICLES | American Screenwriters Association

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 »

Will a copyright protect you? PART 2

In PART 1, we described what COPYRIGHT means and what it does. But are you REALLY protected? The answer is: yes and no. The exact second that you print a copy of your work, it receives the full force and protection of U.S. constitutional law. If someone (and it's rare), steals your work, you have the right to sue and (possibly) collect damages. Now, here's the "but": Read more »

Will a copyright protect you? PART 1

Is your screenplay, film, or other creative work protected? It depends. Although "Copyright" exists at the moment of creation, that alone does not protect your rights. Copyright law requires that you take proactive steps to secure your copyright, particularly if you need to sue over infringement.

So, just WHAT is a copyright? Here is an excerpt from The US Copyright Office's "What Is Copyright" FAQ:

What Is Copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Section 106 of the 1976 Copyright Act generally gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following:
• reproduce the work in copies or phonorecords
• prepare derivative works based upon the work
• distribute copies or phonorecords of the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending
• perform the work publicly, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and motion pictures and other audiovisual works
• display the work publicly, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works, including the individual images of a motion picture or other audiovisual work
• perform the work publicly (in the case of sound recordings*) by means of a digital audio transmission

In addition, certain authors of works of visual art have the rights of attribution and integrity as described in section 106A of the 1976 Copyright Act. For further information, see Circular 40, Copyright Registration for Works of the Visual Arts. It is illegal for anyone to violate any of the rights provided by the copyright law to the owner of copyright. These rights, however, are not unlimited in scope. Sections 107 through 122 of the 1976 Copyright Act establish limitations on these rights. In some cases, these limitations are specified exemptions from copyright liability. One major limitation is the doctrine of “fair use,” which is given a statutory basis in section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act. In other instances, the limitation takes the form of a “compulsory license” under which certain limited uses of copyrighted works are permitted upon payment of specified royalties and compliance with statutory conditions. For further information about the limitations of any of these rights, consult the copyright law or write to the Copyright Office.

CLEAR AS MUD, RIGHT?

Stay tuned for our continuing series. Next, ARE YOU REALLY PROTECTED?

Decrease the Risk of Getting Nixed- Part 1

Or, Rules of the Road for New/Emerging Screenwriters.

Over the coming weeks, we will be discussing the rules that new/emerging screenwriters are required to follow when formatting their screenplay. Please note that these are not in any particular order of importance!

This guide is a collection of screenwriting style and composition rules, compiled over a long period of time. It is part of the collective collaborations of many different voices. I don't take credit for these rules, instead, offering them as generalized guidelines and reminders. The rules, although universal and finite, are often applied subjectively by experienced writers, and may be demanded or ignored by individual readers. Generally speaking, if you have not sold a screenplay that was subsequently made into a wide-release film, you need to follow these rules. Disregard them at your own peril! As always, if you have comments, corrections, and/or general thoughts, feel free to contact us! Now- OFF TO THE RACES!

ONLY USE FADE IN FOR THE VERY BEGINNING, AND FADE OUT FOR THE VERY END
Don’t mistake "fade in" and "fade out" for scene transitions. They are very different. "FADE" is used solely for the start and end notifications for your screenplay.

What is a Logline and Why Do I Need One?

Can you imagine distilling down the full essence of a movie or television series (say Star Wars, or Game of Thrones) into one sentence? It would have to have all the elements of the story itself- a sympathetic protagonist, a compelling goal, and a dire antagonistic force. It would have to be informative, without giving away the story. Enticing, without being melodramatic. By its sheer brilliance, it would demand a reader think, "I MUST SEE THIS SCREENPLAY!!!" Read more »

I Have an Idea for a Movie

How to Make a Blockbuster on a Budget

Here is a great graphic showing the process of making a movie on a budget: "Nowadays, just about anyone can make a blockbuster movie. You don’t need crazy budgets or a wealthy backer, you can do it yourself with relatively little expenditure. Our guide shows you how." Special thanks to our friends at Money-pod for providing this great article!

NOT an ASA INSIDER? It's Easy! (Click Here to learn more)

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE from MONEY-POD

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Six Moral Dilemmas To Enrich Characters

Every great screenplay character starts with a tough dilemma – a difficult choice between two or more equally undesirable options.

Morals are dictated by communal standards, behaviors and belief systems. Although many cultures support individualism, major deviation from societal mores are frowned upon. Morals are not mathematical equations with a definite correct or incorrect answer. Rather, they are a group of complex social interactions, either between an individual and their environment, or within themselves.

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