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Showing posts with the label story ideas

SCRIPT TO SCREEN: Fusion's Open Call For TV Projects is a Push for Diverse Voices

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Originally published in Deadline Cable network Fusion, a division of Fusion Media Group (FMG) that focuses on programming for diverse youth, has issued an open call for scripted and unscripted television projects. The emphasis is on generating new opportunities for young storytellers of different ethnic backgrounds, races, sexual orientations, genders, religions and other under-represented areas of creative talent with or without agency connections. Selected projects from the open call will receive funded development deals with the network, which promises at least one project selected for greenlight next year. Submissions are being accepted on a rolling basis and should center around stories that “speak to the interests and issues that matter to America’s diverse youth—reflecting their curiosity, sharpness, and passion,” according to Fusion. Selected submissions will receive funded development deals with the network. Interested writers, filmmakers, and producers can submit pitc

SCRIPT TO SCREEN: FILMMAKERS, DARE SOMETHING DIFFERENT or "A 3-Act Structure Tale About 3-Act Structure Elements Called "3-Act Structure""

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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

PRODUCTION TIPS: 4 Tips to Develop and Plan Your Doc Idea

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It seems like we might be living in a golden age for documentaries.  It's not only that the sheer numbers of documentaries being made has spiked in recent years but also the high quality and breadth of topic has exponentially improved as well.  Doc-loving audiences must be elated. The proliferation of digital media technology surely has a hand in this.  Also, the success of the political (ideological?) documentary, the nature and history channels and the onslaught of reality shows have normalized the viewing of documentaries as a genre and made it as popular as the horror or action film.  And finally the ground Vice magazine has broken with their hip, edgy, relevant and informative short documentaries across a variety of topics on Youtube and HBO has given documentaries further staying power in the mainstream culture. It's a good time to be watching documentaries and it's a good time to make them.  That's why it doesn't surprise me to now see other media