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Find masses of 'How To' articles, interviews with industry professionals, updates on screenwriting competitions and read the latest industry news worldwide.
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Should you write for yourself, or write what you think will
sell? There have been big changes in the market recently. Understanding what’s
going on may just increase your chance of getting a queue of buyers for your
next script.
How do you know what should be done in dialogue, and what should be done in scene description? Here are some solid guidelines. (FREE CONTENT)
Writing a treatment is a strange process. You have to condense as much as two hours of story into two pages, so it’s no good just writing down the first story events as they take place – you’ve got to abstract away from the actual action, and give us a vivid, enticing impression of what happens. Here’s an exercise to help you do that for your opening sentences, where the problem is even more acute.
Working inside a movie or tv company is the best possible way to get those crucial networking contacts. But how do you find out who is looking for staff? This is a downloadable list of places to go looking for jobs in the movie and tv industry industry worldwide. Use it and add your own notes to keep track of your own job search. (Downloadable resource)
This is a fascinating audio interview with Ged Maguire, who is a highly experienced director of British TV. In over 55 minutes of full and frank conversation with top UK media journalist Sally Brockway, Ged talks about a vast range of screenwriting matters and comes up with some incredible advice, all given from the perspective of the guy who actually has to stand there with your script, the actors and the crew and make the darn thing play!
Silvia Manning is an American actress who decided she was going to write her own sit com, and was going to get it on screen, and nothing was going to stop her. Listen to her in conversation with Sally Brockway as she describes the process, from those early days of having an idea and nothing else, all the way through to selling the thing to a network and getting it all in the can. (FREE CONTENT)
The odds are high that your chosen script exec/producer/director will want to see a treatment before they will go anywhere near your screenplay. There are many different ways to write a treatment, but if you follow these 10 simple guidelines you can't go too far wrong...
This is a no holds barred inside downloadable audio interview with Matt Leys, British screenwriter. Matt's been in the business for well over a decade, and like all of us has ridden his share of the white water rapids. Here he talks specifically about the route he took into the business, and points out that he made a lot of it happen through being a real self starter - a lot of which anyone could do. He also gives out some gold advice for surviving when the going gets tough.
Want to adapt a novel? Plenty of films are conceived this way – and
they’ve been handing out Oscars for good adaptations for over 80 years.
Whether it’s choosing which work to adapt, what to leave out, or which
format, here are 10 critical tips to get you started.
Are you stuck for an idea? This semi-regular column contains ideas to
trigger more ideas and is guaranteed to get you thinking about
storylines, characters and scenes.
"I finally got it together and managed to conquer all my demons and sent my screenplay out to an agency/production company/external reader. They said the story was weak/the dialogue was bland/ trashed it completely/ suggested I should give up writing. I'm really hurt by this. I'm not so crazy that I thought my very first submission would get bought, but I'm finding the negative criticism really hard to throw off. Now I'm even not sure I have it in me to be a writer. What do I do?"
The BEST practical way of dealing with rejection. A short, sharp, pep talk that goes against most conventional wisdom. 
Falling TV audiences pressure commissioners to find the next big hit - and the pot of gold is a long running, returnable drama series. But what are they looking for and how can you improve your chances of success when it comes to coming up with these things? We have answers straight from the head of one of the biggest networks in the UK.
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"Nothing I write about my journey with Phil can adequately describe his patience, diligence and the wonderful way he has coached and counselled me in all aspects of screenwriting. Phil is an amazing person to work with because if he thinks your work good he tells you so and if not, well he tells you that too, but then immediately goes about working with you to improve. I've learned so much. Thanks Phil." Bev McMullen, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada "As senior media executive in the states with over 20 years experience producing TV and running a major TV/Recording Studio I've recently dedicated myself to writing full time... I'm incorporating Phil's work into my original feature projects, and already can see and feel an improvement. And this is just the start for me... I'm thrilled I found Phil... You will be too! Best to all of you..." Andy Kadison, New York, NY "You opened my eyes to what I should do next, and [how to] follow through. Your feedbacks are always great and it feels like you care." Nicola Lawrence, Trinidad "Phil Gladwin shares to the point technical tips. He joins these with even more valuable insights into how to "tap into" your heart and soul writing. Proven & tested real time exercises get you jump started WHENEVER you need it. Thanks Phil" John Harrison, Castle Rock, Colorado "The screenwriting goldmine newsletter from Phil Gladwin is the single most useful tool for a screenwriter to have for its straightforward and clear attention to the details of screenwriting that I haven't found in any other workshop or book on the subject. " Keith Tracy, Punta Gorda, FL, USA "I think the most important thing I have seen, besides his invaluable experience, is the consistency of involvement that Phil has with working with his students. He is accessible. " Katharine Edmonson, Kernville, CA, USA "Inspiring, informative and Phil really has time for you as a writer. " James Godden, Canterbury, England "I have learned a great many things from your newsletters. Every time I ignore them, I am forced to realise in the end that you were right, and you had already given the true information, but I didn't listen. " Nar Dine, Dubai, UAE. "I've found your newsletters full of excellent advice and crackling with positive energy! " Colin Austin, Newton Abbot, Devon, UK "I am a beginner screenwriter, so naturally I think everything I do is the wrong thing. Each newsletter has given me helpful hints on a particular part of scriptwriting, so cheers!" Daniel Barnes, Bognor Regis, England "A crystal clear approach to screenwriting. This is better than film-school." Benjamin Ray, Toronto, Ontario, Canada "Dear Phil, your newsletters have been tremendously helpful in not only providing information on screenwriting, but also in giving the feel of something in this field that's really going on in the world. They made my writing feel practical. That was very inspiring. Thanks. And, of course, I've got your marvellous book that I'm reading currently. Thanks for this one, too." Faig Mamedov, Sumgait, Azerbaijan "Your personal experiences with writing as a career offer great insight into the process of writing and developing good screenplays and pursuing writing as a career. Your wealth of knowledge is also valuable because you offer genuine advice in a supportive way and you explain processes in very specific detail. Your Newsletter is one of the best available sources of truly exploring what it takes to make a sell-able screenplay and provides a well of encouragement to do so. I'd personally give your advice six thumbs up out of five." Angie Harris, Tamworth, N.S.W, Australia "Whether you're just starting or have written a professional, purchased script, Philip Gladwin offers priceless insights and advice for screenwriters. Trust me, you will learn something new and important." Mary Lewys, Coco, FL, US "Gladwin's insight and suggestions are great for young screenwriters." Peter Hatch, Toronto, ON, Canada "I love how Phil simplifies things enough for me to get my thick head around it. I know these things but as you write sometimes they fall to the wayside. His newsletter reinforces, solidifies things for me, and he's lock step with current trends. I've learned a lot. thanks Phil." M.L. Willis, Springfield, MO, USA "Often "getting it" is a matter of seeing a concept to which you have previously been exposed, expressed in a different way. Time after time, such is the case here. Phil Gladwin cuts to the chase in his communication and gives you usable facts in a simple (but never simplistic) form. In Australia, possibly more than anywhere else in the Western world, most local films fail because of the quality of the script. I'm certain that Phil's input will help avert that with my own film. Thanks for your mastery and passion Phil." Julian Smith, Sydney, Australia "I have found the information most inspiring, especially for a writer from out of Africa. It has not been an easy task to compete with a market across the world, yet knowing what experienced screenwriter such as yourself has to share is in itself an eye opener to any writer." Vienna Harmse, Johannesburg, South Africa "I've actually learned a lot about what it means to be a writer full-time, not just a writer who does it for hobbies, but someone who lives and works as one. As someone who wants to do this for a living I think your insight has been of great value to me. You are a working writer and it's great for an up and coming writer to get feedback from one." DK Uzoukwu, Philadelphia, PA "There is no feeling of him putting on airs or coming on as the big professional. Good sense of humor. Very human." Pamela Milton, Columbia, SC, USA "Invaluable advice and suggestions, given in an accessible and humorous manner." Steve Elliott, NY, NY, USA "Hi Phil! You care for other writers and give a lot of yourself to help us, I find that very appreciative and hope you will keep up the good work:) " Camilla HÃrstad, Norway |