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Hello everyone, I've been using IndieTalk for many years now. I don't post too much on here, and usually only in the screenwriting sub-forum, since that's where my background is in film. I have a very good understanding of the craft and what it takes to tell a good story, but alas, my heart has...

Hi everyone, My background is mostly in screenwriting, but I'm making my first feature-length documentary right now. Needless to say I'm incredibly excited about this new adventure. Given my background, I do have a solid understanding of how to tell a story, narratively, but I have to admit I'm...

My old computer died and I just bought a new PC. Specs: HP Pavilion p7xt customizable Desktop PC Windows 7 Home Premium [64-bit] OS Intel Core i3-2120 processor [3.3GHz, 3MB cache] 6GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM 1TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive DVD r/w drive Wireless-N LAN card (1x1) etc. $469.99 It...

Problem: My computer recently died (10 years old!). Solution: I'm buying a new one ... but I need a new screenwriting program :( I've always used the free Sophocles Beta version circa 2008, it worked terrific. I have a copy on flashdrive, but as far as I know you can't install it onto new...

This might seem like a bit of an odd question, but how much can you get away with fudging historical accuracy? Specifically regarding, time. For instance, there are some famous films where the chronology is a little bit off if you inspect closely. The characters couldn't have been that age at...

After I finish my current project, there is an adaptation I would like to do for my next screenplay. I don't have any experience with these, so any help would be appreciated. The original work is in the public domain. However, I've only read an English translation that, while 95% true to the...

I would appreciate feedback on this idea for my current script: The Climax of the film is a long scene, maybe 5-10 pages. It starts in a building, then moves out into the streets. At that point, it splits into two different scenes. I'm going to use an intercut here. Both "scenes" flow through...

I know that it is usually a bad idea to put in editing cues in a spec. However, suppose the following two cases: 1. There is a jump ahead in time, or a dramatic change in tension at the beginning or end of a sequence and you want to fade the picture to black for a split second before the next...

Here's an idea I think makes character intros better: When you introduce a character, don't just describe your character. Actions speak louder than words. Use this opportunity to have your character doing something quintessential to their nature. I know Filmy has talked about quintessential...

So I've noticed that most of the really great films not only have the requisite turning point at the mid-act climax, but this scene usually has the best "scene characterization" in the entire film. What I mean by scene characterization is the setting, the backdrop, the context the...

Please, feel free to use this thread to share with others how you have taught yourself to write better. Discuss any aspect you would like. I'll start by sharing my limited experience and hopefully my thoughts will help others: I was in a hurry to write when I began and did not want to buy...

What do you guys/girls think about the relationship between theme and major turning points? I was just reading the Iliad, in which the major theme is Wrath--specifically, Achilles's wrath (it's the first word of the story too). It occurred to me that the two major turning points in the story...

I'd like to hear how everyone goes about writing a good Act 2... What techniques do you use? How do you summon your creativity for the middle of the story? How do you go about re-writing it? Are there any good books or online references specifically for writing the middle of the story? For...

I'm trying to work out the order of events in my first act right now. My thoughts are that Act 1 should involve three things: 1. Get the audience behind the protagonist 2. Give the audience just enough information so they understand the full impact of the inciting incident 3. Inciting Incident...

Hi everyone, the Last Step is a term I've come up with sitting here today, describing an incredibly frustrating phenomenon. The Last Step doesn't have anything to do with actually writing a script. No, that's one of the earlier steps. Or at least, that's what my thoughts tell me. The Last Step...

I've been struggling for months and months with an early part of my script. Finally, that a-ha moment. Just thought I'd share and shout it off the rooftops since my mind is free again at last! :D

Flat characters. Surest way to write a boring story is to write flat, boring characters. Of course everyone wants to have characters with depth...but which characters are round and which are flat? Many writers have a notion of what depth involves, but how can we define it for sure? Well that's...

Little detail question here. How does everyone handle their page breaks? I couldn't find anything specific in my formatting book about this. Specifically, what's the minimum amount of lines you leave at the top/bottom of pages for both action and dialogue? I seem to have been playing around with...

I can't say enough how incredible an experience learning can be. For most of us who dare to write for the screen, the stage, for poetry or prose, learning how to write comes naturally. If it didn't, we would have been discouraged away from all of this long ago. But learning how to tell a good...

Hey everyone, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this and see where the discussion goes. I was just reading a chapter from Mckee's "Story" about the Gap and how every sequence of beats in a scene should revolve around action / reaction / the gap...and on and on. Anything non-dramatic should be...