SCREENWRITING
"If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed."
~ Stanley Kubrick
A curation of articles, podcasts, videos, and courses to help with your screenwriting adventure.
What do you write?
Narratives • Episodics • Documentaries
DOWNLOADS
A collection of FREE forms, templates, and questionnaires:
It's been said that you need to know who you're writing for—this questionnaire will reveal who you might be the perfect audience and who your ideal fan might be.
Before you get started, knowing how to tell your story in one sentence will be very important in selling your ideas to others. Download this questionnaire to help construct a better logline.
Indie filmmaking icon, Ed Burns, has said that he took aspects of all the best screenwriting books and created his own cheat sheet. If Ed can do it, then so can Film Trooper.
BROOKS ELMS - SCREENWRITING TIPS
Past podcast guest, Brooks Elms, shares his tips on screenwriting in this simple guide. Elms has sold several scripts in Hollywood and has taught at UCLA.
BOOKS
A collection of books on the art and craft of screenwriting and storytelling. (*These are affiliate links)
S
If you've ever seen the film Adaptation with Nicholas Cage, you'll get a better reason why Robert McKee's book and courses were so inspirational to thousands of screenwriters.
Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
This is by far my favorite book on screenwriting. Although Blake Snyder passed away a few years ago, he left behind, what I think is the best series of books and teachings on screenwriting.
Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told
After reading the original Save The Cat book, be sure to pick the 2nd book up from Blake Snyder. In this book, Snyder does a tremendous job at simplifying the basic story structure that make up so many of our favorite films.
Save the Cat!® Strikes Back: More Trouble for Screenwriters to Get into ... and Out of
Snyder shares the obstacles that faced his teachings and how he refined his approach to eventually leave us with one final polish on his legacy that is the Save The Cat trilogy.
The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition
So, here's the deal. I tried to get through Joseph Campbell's, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces". It reads like an insane textbook. It's obvious that Campbell is brilliant ... and I am not. Thank goodness for Christopher Vogler's book, which in some ways simplifies most of Campbell's works into a very informative and useful book on story structure for writing great screenplays.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)
This is the granddaddy of books on storytelling. But as I was saying, it's a beast to read. Tons of footnotes and references to almost every ancient civilization and their cultural fables. It gives you a fascinating overlook that just maybe we aren't writing anything new at all.
Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read
This is a quick read, but Michael Hauge does a good job of giving you some great tips and techniques at how to craft your elevator pitch to get to the "heart" of what makes your story sellable and interesting.
Good In A Room: How To Sell Yourself (And Your Ideas) And Win Over Any Audience
Beyond just a great book for screenwriters trying to pitch their story to Hollywood—Stephanie Palmer, who is a former Hollywood Executive has been in the room for well over a thousand pitches.
*Bonus! You can listen in to my exclusive interview with Stephanie Palmer here: https://filmtrooper.com/123
SOFTWARE
A collection of screenwriting software both FREE and paid versions to utilize for your writing needs.
The industry standard for years. But there is a catch! It can be expensive ... but it is the standard.
Start with the FREE offering and then jump to the paid versions if needed. The great thing about Celtx is that it's more than just a FREE screenwriting software, it's an integrated media pre-production tool.
Fade In has fully functional syncing iOS and Android versions, and is updated for free by a capable developer who also writes and directs films. Fade In costs $49.95 and offers a free trial.
Created by writers for writers. With a simple, attractive, customizable design, WriterDuet is fun and easy to use from day one ... and it's FREE!
PODCASTS
A collection of podcasts and podcast episodes that dig deeper into the creative process of writing a great story.
What Happens in a PIXAR Brain Trust Meeting? Disney Screenwriter, Rob Edwards Explains
In this episode, I am beyond excited to speak with screenwriter, Rob Edwards, who has worked on shows such as "In Living Color", "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", and Disney's, "Treasure Planet" and "The Princess and the Frog".
Rob takes us behind the scenes of how Pixar develops their stories with their unique Brain-Trust meetings. This is a very special episode that can help you write better stories!
How To Pitch To A Hollywood Executive with Stephanie Palmer, Good in a Room
In this rebroadcast episode, I interview former Director of Creative Affairs for MGM Studios, and now the founder of Good In A Room, Stephanie Palmer. Stephanie teaches filmmakers and screenwriters how to prepare for any pitch meeting. Her advice will give you the best chances to succeed.
Stephanie has sat in over 3,000 pitch meetings and has been able to analyze why some pitches work and why most don’t … This is the insightful information that you want as a Film Trooper.
What are the 4 Pillars of Storytelling with Patrick Moreau of StillMotion
In this episode, I speak with Patrick Moreau of StillMotion about the 4 Pillars of Storytelling that help documentary filmmakers construct better stories even if there isn't any script.
How To Sell Your Script with Brooks Elms
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker and screenwriter, Brooks Elms, as he takes on his journey of selling his sci-fi, action script, "Snowfall".
What If Your Script SUCKS & How To Fix It (Part 1)
In this episode, I explore what happens when your script isn't working and how to fix it.
What If Your Script SUCKS & How To Fix It (Part 2)
In this episode, I explore what happens when your script isn't working and how to fix it. This is part 2 of this special series, so be sure to listen in on part 1 before continuing with this episode. (video podcast included)
How To Find Your Next Movie Concept (Part 1) with Brooks Elms
In this episode, returning guest, Brooks Elms, who is a filmmaker and screenwriter is here to take us through the process of finding a movie concept that speaks to you and your audience.
Star Wars Meets Shakespeare with Author Ian Doescher
In this episode, I speak with New Times Best Selling Author, Ian Doescher, about his book series, "William Shakespeare's Star Wars".
Originally launched in conjunction with Creative Screenwriting Magazine. Goldsmith's podcast series shines the spotlight on the writer's of so many of our favorite movies.
Join professional script consultant Pilar Alessandra as she demystifies screenwriting and answers your questions about script craft and story. Pilar is approaching 500 episodes!
Screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin discuss screenwriting and related topics in the film and television industry, everything from getting stuff written to the vagaries of copyright and work-for-hire law.
The Black List Table Reads takes the best and most exciting screenplays Hollywood hasn't yet made, and turns them into movies, for your ears. Black List founder Franklin Leonard presents a new script every month read by a rotating cast of talented actors, along with interviews from the Hollywood screenwriting community and beyond.
VIDEOS
A collection of videos that will undoubtedly help your writing process.
In this Film Marketing Friday, we’ll be looking at the next step after you’ve developed your sales sheets, I mean your movie poster … Now, what if someone asks you about your movie? Do you have your pitch ready?
In this Film Marketing Friday, I dig deeper into writing effective LOGLINES. Why? Because having a clear LOGLINE will help market and sell your idea to your audience … and believe it or not, reveal any flaws in your overall story.
YouTuber, Michael Tucker, has come out of nowhere to produce these thoughtful and in-depth analysis of the screenwriting process. Enjoy this amazing playlist!
A short collection of inspiring presentations made at various TED Talks.
COURSES
A collection of online courses that you can take right now to help you write the next great screenplay. (*Affiliate links)
SHONDA RHIMES - Teaches Writing for Television
The team over at Master Class have put together this amazing opportunity to learn from one of the most influential people in television today.
- Get over 5 hours of video content
- A class notebook
- Exclusive Content - Including Shonda Rhimes's story bibles, pilot scripts, and pitch notes
Film School $90,000 • MASTERCLASS $90
AARON SORKIN - Teaches Screenwriting
In conjunction with Master Class, we have the opportunity to learn from the prolific writing habits of Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, The Social Network, Steve Jobs, The West Wing, The Newsroom)
- 35 video lessons
- 38-page workbook
- This is Sorkin's first ever online course
Film School $90,000 • MASTERCLASS $90
How to Construct a Story for Documentaries and Weddings
The talented team over at StillMotion has developed a unique storytelling process for filmmakers working in documentaries and weddings. Their storytelling system is called, "Muse".
Film School $90,000 • MUSE (Starting at $97)
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In most cases, I may be an affiliate for products that I recommend within any of my blog posts, video blogs, and audio podcasts.
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This helps me to continue to offer you lots of free stuff. 🙂 Thank you, in advance for your support!
