The Scherer Joy of Writing Weblog

Hanna’s Gone!

mscherer — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:37:33 +0000

Survived Ms. Hanna. Lots of rain. Lot’s of wind. And one small leak in the roof. Sigh.

But, being the courageous (foolish??) screenwriter I am, I headed to the coffee shop at 8 AM — braved the wind — dodged the rain — and proceeded to write twelve pages. Long hand. On yellow legal pad paper. I’m in the midst of a rewrite of a screenplay I finished several months ago and I must say, I really missed these characters.

And– the story has changed. Not much. Just enough to make the script better. But then again, that’s the way it should be, right? Tomorrow I will finish and Monday I will begin the next phase — enter all those hand written pages into the computer. And do yet another rewrite in the process. It’s my method and goes something like this.

Write notes. Heaps of notes. Then write in long hand. I label each scene with a unique identifier keyed to the date. Eg. The first scene I wrote today was 0906_A. That way if I decide to move a scene I write a note in the margins — move scene 0906_A here. Voila!

Next, I enter those hand written pages into the computer and edit as I do so. This becomes draft 1.5. Then, let it marinate…

…and I go back and write every scene from that first draft on 3×5 cards. Across the top I write the scene slug as it appears in your script. Then, I write a brief synopsis of the action and list the characters. I use different colored cards for each of the four acts. I use white for Act I – blue for Act II – green for Act III – and red/pink for Act IV.

Then, using my script and the 3×5 cards and a yellow legal pad, I explore the following:

Motivation – explore the scene’s main character’s motivation – what I refer to as Who Wants What? Or W3 for short.

Conflict – What is keeping this character from getting what he wants? Who/what opposes him?

Reaction – how does your character react at the end of the scene? Has he won? Did he lose? How does he feel emotionally?

And that brings me back to today. When I finish entering those pages in the computer – do my edits along the way – I will have a pretty much finished script. In three and one-half drafts.

After that, it’s tweaks and polishes and on to the next script.

Which sits in my computer at draft 1.5.

Keep Writing,

Mike

Writing Slump – thoughts on quitting

mscherer — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:33:02 +0000

Okay, I write almost every day. On weekdays, after a 75 mile, 70 minute commute, I manage an hour at my local Borders – usually. On weekends, I write three hours each day – usually.

Not this week.

Tuesday, after work, I decided NOT to write. Didn’t feel like it. Wednesday, ditto. Didn’t care. Didn’t miss it. Figured I was done – finished – kaput. Never to write again.

Then I wandered over to Scott Myer’s always interesting Blog (http://www.gointothestory.com/) and watched a few video interviews with screenwriters (http://scottdistillery.googlepages.com/gointothestory5) – a little Shane Black (Black, Shane), a little Billy Ray (Ray, Billy), and a lot of Paddy Chayefsky (Chayefsky, Paddy)) – and I went over to YouTube to find some more.

Found William Goldman. Got me stoked. Went to the bookstore and wrote four pages in an hour. I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

So, in case you’re in a slump, let Bill Goldman pull you up – dust you off – and get you back to the computer.

Enjoy!

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AomMhv04whY

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBC5ch6eMEA

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPG4gU9lSK4

Keep Writing,

Mike

August ’08 Script Sales by Type

mscherer — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:12:09 +0000

Script Sales Based On Genre:          Script Sales Based On Type:
-------------------------------       -------------------------------
Drama         23   29.9%              Adaptations    39   50.6%
Comedy        15   19.5%              Spec Sales     14   18.2%
Action        13   16.8%              Pitches         9   11.7%
Thriller       7    9.1%              True Story      7    9.1%
RomCom         6    7.8%              Rewrite         4    5.2%
Horror         3    3.9%              Remakes         3    3.9%
Crime          3    3.9%              Sequel          1    1.3%
Misc.          7    9.1%              ------------------------------
------------------------------                       77   100.0
              77  100.0%                             

 Script Sales Based On Genre and Type:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Drama     23
                    Adaptations   12    52.2%
                    True Story     7    30.5%
                    Spec Script    3    13.0%
                    Pitch          1     4.3%
                -----------------------------
                                  23   100.0%

Comedy    15
                    Spec Script    7    46.7%
                    Adaptations    3    20.0%
                    Pitch          2    13.3%
                    Rewrite        2    13.3%
                    Remakes        1     6.7%
              -----------------------------
                                  15   100.0% 

Action    13
                    Adaptations    8    61.5%
                    Spec Script    2    15.4%
                    Pitch          1     7.7%
                    Rewrite        1     7.7%
                    Remakes        1     7.7%
              -----------------------------
                                  13   100.0% 

Thriller  7
                    Pitch          3    42.9%
                    Adaptation     2    28.5%
                    Spec Script    1    14.3%
                    Rewrite        1    14.3%
                 -----------------------------
                                   7   100.0% 

RomCom    6
                    Adaptation     5    83.3%
                    Pitch          1    16.7%
                ------------------------------
                                   6   100.0% 

Horror    3
                    Spec Script    1    33.3%
                    Sequel         1    33.3%
                    Remake         1    33.4%
                 -----------------------------
                                   3   100.0% 

Crime     3
                     Adaptations   3   100.0%
                 -----------------------------
                                   3   100.0% 

 Misc.     7
                    Adaptations    6    85.7%
                    Pitch          1    14.3%
                 -----------------------------
                                   7   100.0%   

-----------------------
         77

August ’08 Script Sales

mscherer — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:26:31 +0000

Genre		        Type		Studio			ProdCo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTION 		        ADAPTATION	N/A			MARV FILMS
ACTION ADVENTURE 	ADAPTATION	COLUMBIA PICTURES	SEASIDE ENTER
ACTION ADVENTURE 	ADAPTATION	SONY PICTURES		ORIGINAL FILM
ACTION ADVENTURE 	ADAPTATION	WALT DISNEY PICTURES	KICKSTART ENTERTAINMENT
ACTION ADVENTURE 	REMAKE		UNIVERSAL PICTURES	STRIKE ENTERTAINMENT
ACTION ADVENTURE 	SPEC		TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX 	PENN'S COMPANY, ZAK
ACTION CRIME		ADAPTATION	N/A			MANDALAY PICTURES
ACTION SCI-FI 		ADAPTATION	N/A			ALCON ENTERTAINMENT
ACTION THRILLER 	SPEC		N/A			STONE VILLAGE PICTURES
ACTION			ADAPTATION	COLUMBIA PICTURES	ORIGINAL FILM
ACTION			ADAPTATION	WARNER BROS		STARS ROAD ENTERTAINMENT
ACTION			REWRITE		N/A			LIONSGATE ENTERTAINMENT
ACTION, EPIC 		PITCH		COLUMBIA PICTURES	MOSAIC MEDIA
ADVENTURE ROMANCE 	ADAPTATION 	N/A			STONE VILLAGE PICTURES
Comedy Action 		ADAPTATION	N/A			LIONSGATE ENTERTAINMENT
COMEDY ACTION 		PITCH		MGM 			CALLAHAN FILMWORKS
COMEDY ACTION 		SPEC		N/A			RELATIVITY MEDIA
COMEDY			ADAPTATION	WARNER BROS		N/A
COMEDY			PITCH		COLUMBIA PICTURES   	APARTMENT ENTER
COMEDY			REMAKE		N/A			GODFATHER ENTER
COMEDY			REWRITE		COLUMBIA PICTURES 	KATALYST FILMS
COMEDY			REWRITE		NEW LINE CINEMA 	BENDERSPINK
COMEDY			SPEC		COLUMBIA PICTURES	MOSAIC MEDIA
Comedy			SPEC		N/A			CBS Films
Comedy			SPEC		N/A			Screen Gems
COMEDY			SPEC		PARAMOUNT PICTURES	INSTINCT ENTERTAINMENT
COMEDY			SPEC		WARNER BROS. PICTURES	THUNDER ROAD FILMS
CRIME DRAMA     	ADAPTATION      N/A                     LAKESHORE ENTER
CRIME DRAMA 		ADAPTATION	WARNER BROS		LIN PICTURES
CRIME THRILLER 		ADAPTATION	UNIVERSAL PICTURES	PLATT PRODUCTIONS, MARC
DARK COMEDY 		ADAPTATION	N/A			MEDIA TALENT GROUP
DARK COMEDY 		SPEC		UNIVERSAL PICTURES	MONTERREY PICTURES
DISASTER		PITCH		UNIVERSAL PICTURES	BAD ROBOT
DRAMA 			ADAPTATION	N/A			1492 PICTURES
DRAMA 			ADAPTATION	PARAMOUNT PICTURES	PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT
DRAMA 			TRUE STORY	N/A			INFINITY MEDIA, INC.
DRAMA 			TRUE STORY	N/A			SMOKE HOUSE
DRAMA BIO 		TRUE STORY	N/A			ECOSSE FILMS
DRAMA BIO 		TRUE STORY	N/A			MILLENNIUM FILMS
DRAMA COMEDY 		ADAPTATION	N/A			LIONSGATE ENTERTAINMENT
DRAMA COMEDY 		ADAPTATION	WARNER BROS. PICTURES	WEINTRAUB PRODUCTIONS
Drama Crime 		TRUE STORY	N/A			Full Force Productions
DRAMA SPORTS 		ADAPTATION	N/A			VOODOO PICTURES
DRAMA WAR 		ADAPTATION	N/A			PRINCESS PICTURES
DRAMA			ADAPTATION	N/A			DOUMANIAN PROD
DRAMA			ADAPTATION	N/A			DOUMANIAN PRODUCTIONS, JEAN
DRAMA			ADAPTATION	N/A			LITTLE STUDIO FILMS
DRAMA			ADAPTATION	N/A			MANDATE PICTURES
DRAMA			ADAPTATION	N/A			PHOENIX PICTURES
DRAMA			ADAPTATION	N/A			PRINCESS PICTURES
DRAMA			PITCH		N/A			WERC WERK WORKS
DRAMA			SPEC		N/A			INDIANA PRODUCTIONS
DRAMA			SPEC		N/A			LIONSGATE ENTERTAINMENT
DRAMA			TRUE STORY	COLUMBIA PICTURES 	RUDIN PRODUCTIONS, SCOTT
DRAMA			TRUE STORY	N/A			EXWAZE
DRAMA, HEIST 		SPEC		NEW LINE CINEMA		TEMPLE HILL PROD
FAMILY			ADAPTATION	COLUMBIA PICTURES	ORIGINAL FILM
FANTASY			ADAPTATION	NEW LINE CINEMA		WINGNUT FILMS
FANTASY			ADAPTATION	UNIVERSAL PICTURES	RED EAGLE ENTERTAINMENT
HORROR PSYCH		SPEC		N/A			COOL HAND INTERNATIONAL
HORROR THRILLER 	SEQUEL		N/A			ROGUE PICTURES
HORROR			REMAKE		MGM 			N/A
ROM COM	 		ADAPTATION	N/A			PRINCESS PICTURES
ROM COM			ADAPTATION	N/A			2S FILMS
ROM COM			ADAPTATION	N/A			BIG BEACH
ROM COM			ADAPTATION	N/A			PRINCESS PICTURES
ROM COM			ADAPTATION	N/A			PRINCESS PICTURES
ROM COM			PITCH		TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX 	21 LAPS ENTERTAINMENT
ROMANCE			ADAPTATION	N/A			2S FILMS
ROMANCE			ADAPTATION	N/A			2S FILMS
THRILLER 		PITCH		N/A			CAPACITY PICTURES
THRILLER SCI FI		ADAPTATION	N/A			PHOENIX PICTURES
THRILLER SPY 		REWRITE		PARAMOUNT PICTURES	DI BONAVENTURA PICTURES
THRILLER		ADAPTATION	PARAMOUNT PICTURES	DI BONAVENTURA PICTURES
THRILLER		PITCH		N/A			LEGENDARY PICTURES
THRILLER		PITCH		N/A			SCREEN GEMS
THRILLER		SPEC		N/A			WECHSLER PROD

My Script Writing Process

mscherer — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:26:03 +0000

Okay, today I would like to discuss my screenwriting process for the few of you who have managed to find this blog. LOL. First, let me state that this process works for me. Second, I have only used this process for a short time. Third, the process is evolving as I learn by doing. That said –

Write your script. Write that shitty script. Get it down on paper. The whole thing without stopping.

Now, go back and write every scene from that shitty first draft on a 3×5 card. Across the top write the scene slug as it appears in your script. Then, write a brief synopsis of the action and list the characters. Use different colored cards for each of the four acts. I use white for Act I – blue for Act II – green for Act III – and red/pink for Act IV.

Using your script and 3×5 cards and a yellow legal pad, explore the following:

Motivation – explore the scene’s main character’s motivation – what I refer to as Who Wants What? Or W3 for short.

Conflict – What is keeping this character from getting what he wants? Who/what opposes him?

Reaction – how does your character react at the end of the scene? Has he won? Did he lose? How does he feel emotionally?

During the process you will discover new character traits – bits of dialogue – whole new scenes. You may also discover that your scenes need to be shifted about to make more ‘story sense’.

Now, put everything away. Read a book. Start a new script. Hike the Appalachian Trail – well, that may be a tad too long.

Rewrite the script based on your 3×5 cards and your notes. Should be complete in short order and when you are finished – think about repeating the process. But whatever you do—

Keep Writing!

Mike

The Screenwriter’s Screenwriter

mscherer — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:28:01 +0000

Over at Go Into The Story — http://www.gointothestory.com/ — , Scott put up a link to a brief interview with screenwriter, Joe Eszterhas – scroll on down a bit to find it. To me, Joe Eszterhas is the screenwriter’s screenwriter.

I’ve read both of his books — Hollywood Animal and The Devil’s Guide To Hollywood — about Hollywood and screenwriting and liked them both. But after watching the very brief interview of Mr. Eszterhas, I searched the web for something more extensive. And, I found it.

Click on over to The Bat Segundo Show (http://www.edrants.com/segundo/bss-73-joe-eszterhas/) and take a listen. The intro is irritating, but the interview is worth the torture

Let me know what you think about ol’ Joe. Love him? Hate him? Why?

Keep Writing,

Mike

Yet Another Good Book

mscherer — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:22:10 +0000

Been away for a while — concentrating on my writing — did two rewrites and finished another spec. Because of that writng frenzy I decided to take time to revisit a book I put down several months ago:

The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby (http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=3710).

I find I have a greater appreciation for the complex material this time around. It is a master class in screenwriting in particular and storytelling in general. I’m only half way through, but I’m trying to absorb every bit — wish I could just put it under my pillow and absorb via osmosis.

On a different note, I will be resuming my monthly sales report beginning September 1, 2008. I abandoned this project when I found myself deeply immersed in my writing, but now have time to compile the monthly sales data.

That’s all for now, and…

Keep Writing!

The Four Act – Twelve Sequence Structure

mscherer — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:35:26 +0000

Structure – everybody uses it. So I ask: Why is it such a dirty word?

I’ve been a long time proponent of the four act structure since reading Syd Field. What, you say? Yeah, ever since I saw that first diagram with the first act plot point — the mid-point — the second act plot point I thought to myself: That’s four equal parts, not two small acts with a big chunk in the middle. I never looked back.

Lately I’ve been playing around with sequences. I’m almost a convert. Today I went to my local coffee shop and came up with this little diddy:

Four Act – Twelve Sequence Structure

Act I – Orphan / Loaner
Sequence #1 – Ordinary World – Setup,Theme Stated:
Sequence #2 – Catalyst / Debate:
Sequence #3 – Leaves Ordinary World:

Act II – Wanderer / Explorer – Transformation
Sequence #4 – Learning the New World:
Sequence #5 – Acquiring New Skills:
Sequence #6 – False: Victory / Defeat / Goal:

Act III – Warrior / Activist – On The Run
Sequence #7 – A Ticking Clock Starts:
Sequence #8 – Bad Guys Closing In:
Sequence #9 – Dark Night of the Soul:

Act IV – Martyr / Death – Hero’s flaw dead,buried
Sequence # 10 – Light Bulb Moment:
Sequence #11 – True Victory:
Sequence #12 – Resolution:

Feel free to use, abuse, modify, revamp, or ignore. All I ask is that you

Keep Writing.

My Visual Pitch

mscherer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:08:58 +0000

Go over to http://myvisualpitch.com/info (click on Susan M. Lockwood: MVP Screenwriter Success Story) and check out my success story. While you’re at it, sign up and give MyVisualPitch a shot. I don’t think you’ll be sorry.

Keep Writing!

That Silly Season

mscherer — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:12:39 +0000

And I’m not talking about the award season, no siree-bob. I’m talkin’ Contest Time – Blue Cat, Big Break Screenwriting Contest, The Nicholl, Austin, Scriptapalooza, etc. It’s that time of year to dust off that spec, do a quick run through, touch up some typos, add a little polish here and there, tighten those brads, drop off your baby at the US Post Office and…

Cross your fingers…

Hold your breath…

And wait.

Then wait some more.

Personally, I have given up on the Silly Season with one exception – The Nicholl Fellowship – the Oscars® for un-produced screenwriters. Why? I don’t know for sure. Can’t stand the rejection? Maybe.

Can’t stand the wait? Most definitely.

Didn’t like the experience? No.

I find that my time is better spent writing. I tend to not write waiting around for contest results. I say to myself, self, start that next spec after you find out how well you can writer (or not). Wait. Just wait.

And it’s not because of bad experiences. My first ever contest entry resulted in an Honorable Mention. That said, my next fifteen-gazillion resulted in form letters asking me to try again next year. Until, finally, one dreamy day, I received a letter from Gregg Beal over at the Nicholl informing me that… almost, almost. Made the top 10%. And of course I knew, just knew, that next year I would be a finalist.

Another fifteen-gazillion entries later, nothing.

I’ve come to the conclusion that contests are venues of validation. We enter so someone will tell us we are good, no — great — writers. We enter because we are unsure of our talent.

Unsure?

Hmmmm, does it matter if we are validated? Don’t we write only because we can’t do anything else? Do we really need contests?

Let me know what you think of the Silly Season. Let me know about good experiences. Bad experiences. Which contests you found helpful. Which were a waste of precious writing time. And whether you enter contests or not…. Good Luck and

Keep Writing.