Screenwriting From Iowa

“I learned a lot from [Ernest Rides Again director] John Cherry…He told me, ‘If it’s not about world domination, it’s not about anything at all.’ What do you think that means? And why should something that applies to a goofy comedy created for little kids to watch with babysitters apply to your magnum opus? In […]

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“One characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. And it wasn’t social intelligence, it wasn’t good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t IQ—it was grit. Grit is passion and perseverance for very long term goals. ” Author Angela Lee Duckworth (Grit) Ted Talk Related post: Screenwriting & a 10 Foot Concrete Wall Scott W. […]

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“Need is undoubtedly the most common, the most useful, the most malleable, and the most easily understood and accepted basis for a story…In The African Queen two completely diverse personalities are forced to ride the length of a dangerous African river in a dilapidated boat—that is the situation. Their need is two-fold; first, to leave the territory, which […]

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“There’s a giant group of people who want to be writers, and a smaller group who actually write, and an even smaller group who are actually going to strive so hard that someone’s going to pay attention to them…I was obsessed at one point. I took every course, I read magazines, and I just kept […]

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Something new from something old in the visual arts featuring photographer Edward Weston (1886-1958)…

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“I’ve never viewed myself as particularly talented. I’ve viewed myself as…slightly  above average in talent…Where I excel is with (a) ridiculous, sickening work ethic. While the other guy’s sleeping, I’m working. While the other guy’s eating, I’m working.” Two time Oscar-nominated actor Will Smith (and 4-time Grammy winner) 60 Minutes Interview Related posts: Bob DeRosa’s “Shortcuts” […]

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“Alfred Hitchcock, the undisputed master of suspense drama once said, ‘There is no terror in a bang only in the anticipation of it.’  Anticipation is one of the  most important emotions scriptwriters can feel as they look forward to something that will happen in the future, whether it’s positive, like winning  a big prize, or […]

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“I wanted to make a skyrocket big enough that I could shoot the damn thing in the air and they could see me in Los Angeles. So that’s what I did.” Austin-based filmmaker Tobe Hooper on making The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Tobe Hooper made documentaries and commercials in Texas before making a hippy/psychedelic feature […]

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Today is the first day of school at Valencia College and the film production, sound technology, and digital arts students will be walking into the newly opened School of Arts & Entertainment for the first time for classes. I took a tour of the impressive facilities on Thursday and thought I post a few photos […]

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(Note: In light of the recent destructive flooding along the Texas Gulf Coast in the Hurricane Harvey aftermath, I wanted to re-post a Houston-centric post from last year as a way of showing that I’m at least thinking and praying for the residents of East Texas. “This could go down as the worst flood disaster […]

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