Film Strategy

The good people at  Script Reader Pro  have just made your life easier.  Why is that you say?  Because they've made your filmmaking life easier to manage this year with their  calendar of  all the major upcoming screenwriting contests  (orange) , awards   (blue) , festivals  (green) , fellowships and labs  (yellow)  in 2016. Like Yogi Berra says, “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.”  Wednesday, November 2   American Film Market Conference Thursday, November 3   American Film Market Conference Friday, November 4   American Film Market Conference Saturday, November 5   American Film Market Conference Sunday, November 6   American Film Market Conference   Disney/ABC Writing Fellowship Deadline (TBC) Monday, November 7   American Film Market Conference Tuesday, No...

The good people at  Script Reader Pro  have just made your life easier.  Why is that you say?  Because they've made your filmmaking life easier to manage this year with their  calendar of  all the major upcoming screenwriting contests  (orange) , awards   (blue) , festivals  (green) , fellowships and labs  (yellow)  in 2016. Like Yogi Berra says, “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.”  Wednesday, October 5   CineStory TV/Digital Series Retreat - Late Deadline Thursday, October 6   Hamptons International Film Festival Friday, October 7   Hamptons International Film Festival Saturday, October 8   Hamptons International Film Festival Sunday, October 9   Hamptons International Film Festival Monday, October 10   Hamptons International Film Festival Thursday, October 13   Aust...

The good people at  Script Reader Pro  have just made your life easier.  Why is that you say?  Because they've made your filmmaking life easier to manage this year with their  calendar of  all the major upcoming screenwriting contests  (orange) , awards   (blue) , festivals  (green) , fellowships and labs  (yellow)  in 2016. Like Yogi Berra says, “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.”  Thursday, September 1   Venice International Film Festival   American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest Deadline (TBC)   Berlinale Talents Competition Deadline (TBC) Friday, September 2   Venice International Film Festival   Telluride Film Festival   London Screenwriters Festival Saturday, September 3   Venice International Film Festival   Telluride Film Festival   London Screenwriters...

The 3-Act Structure rules Hollywood even though some think the 3-Act structure actually kills scripts . And as the cartoon demonstrates below in amusing and sarcastic fashion, the 3-Act structure is made up of elements that engage and entertain us while also being repetitive and derivative.  So here's a challenge to all filmmakers, from indie newbies to hollywood bigshots, do you dare tell stories outside of the 3-Act structure?  Ok, you say, I'm down but what else is there outside of the 3-Act structure? Well, my friend, that's where your creativity as a writer, director, producer and editor comes in. Plus the cojones to dare and even fail or get audience heads scratching. But if you want some suggestions for ideas well here are a few places to look: One way to start is by considering other options for narrative structures beyond just "linear narrative."  Another suggestion for inspiration is to look to the East for non-Western dramatic structure...

The good people at  Script Reader Pro  have just made your life easier.  Why is that you say?  Because they've made your filmmaking life easier to manage this year with their  calendar of  all the major upcoming screenwriting contests  (orange) , awards   (blue) , festivals  (green) , fellowships and labs  (yellow)  in 2016. Like Yogi Berra says, “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.”  Thursday, September 1   Venice International Film Festival   American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest Deadline (TBC)   Berlinale Talents Competition Deadline (TBC) Friday, September 2   Venice International Film Festival   Telluride Film Festival   London Screenwriters Festival Saturday, September 3   Venice International Film Festival   Telluride Film Festival   London Screenwriters...