Kevin Little: Screenwriter and assistant director in Toronto, Canada.

Screenwriting

I have so many ideas to make into short scenes but I've never wrote a scene in my life. I'm taking a basic screenwriting class tomorrow. Any helpful advice?

Kevin Little

Imagine if Jessica returned to this site 3 years after posting her question and found that people are still offering advice!

David Taylor

(After Kevin) Well Jessica. If you ever do return, you might find you no longer have interest in that question, or neither do we. However, S32 welcomes your children.

Flint Rascal

Write from your heart then from your head!!

Matt Hurd

Nice share...not sure about his idea that if screenwriting feels like work, you're not doing it right - for me, the old internet adage that "Writing is HARD" is more accurate. Regardless, if you're lo...

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Kevin Little

Writing is work! I don't know why anyone would think otherwise? Sure your passion for writing may drive you to sit down every day but researching, outlining, editing, trashing a whole sequence because...

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Linda Hullinger

Erik, you're welcome :-) Matt and Kevin, if I had first started out writing screenplays, I may think that writing them is hard. But I started out writing 350+ page novels and to me that was hard. Look...

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Don Zorbas
Aaron Sorkin masterclass. Has anyone taken it???

If so, what are your thoughts???

Don Zorbas

Can you watch the class more then once??

Sylvia Marie Llewellyn

Yes @Don... you can... I'm on my second time through it all. Don't delete your link.

Don Zorbas

Thank you Sylvia.

Doug Nelson
Question from an old retired scrip scribe

I looked at my cable channel line-up the other day and realized that I have over 100 channels but whenever I turn my television on – there is nothing on worth watching. All I'm left with is the news and weather. The networks are re-running the re-runs. My question is simply why. Could it be that no...

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Regina Lee

I think one could also define the "mainstream US market" as those who are engaging in film/series/content/programming business with CAA, WME, UTA, etc. on a regular basis. (For this content conversati...

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Bill Costantini

Doug - no disrespect intended, but for an MBA'er, I think you're letting your emotions and sentiments get the better of your intellect. The vast majority of today's produced films don't get widespread...

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Doug Nelson

Bill, I have to agree with you completely; it saddens me to see the overall quality of filmmaking sink into the mud and know that there's nothing I can do – so I just joust against windmills. The film...

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Otello Calvert
Final Draft 9 vs WriterDuet

I've been using FD for a couple years now, and I'm constantly seeing comparisons made between them. Claiming either one or the other is better. Opinions? I'm trying to decide whether it would be an investment to change. I don't have many faults with FD at the moment, though I have some issues every once and a while.

Otello Calvert

Awesome advice Dan!

Danny Manus

I used writer duet on Windows 10 - the paid version of duet - and I found it hard to use and glitch. the writer I was working with, however, loved it. I think once it's out of beta, it could be great...

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Joe Becker

The grass is always greener... Stick with what you have. There's no real reason to spend more money. FD is a great program. Duet may be also, but there's no need to jump onto every new piece of softwa...

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Amelia Fergusson
To name or not to name a character :-)

Hi Guys, I have a character who makes an appearance at the beginning of my script with a distinguishing facial scar. However, he doesn't properly get introduced until later on. Do I initially write the scene with his actual name or leave it until later on when the audience will recognise him from the facial scar? Thanks in advance!

Amelia Fergusson

Thanks Christopher :-)

Antuan Montreal Lobley

If the scar is going to be used in the plot you should point it out as soon as the character appears. That will help whoever is directing it to see what you're trying to do.

Kevin Little

If you look at the script for The Fugitive, the Sykes character (the villain who murdered Kimble's wife) isn't actually named until Kimble finds him. In the murder scene he is simply referred to as "t...

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Gavin D Walsh
Creating dynamic dialogue.

I am curious as to whether different writers use different methods for creating their dynamic dialogue... What method do you use to set your characters apart and stop them sounding too generic?

Cherie Grant

Put a lot of thought into it.

Gavin D Walsh

@Maroun - I definitely have well known actors in my mind when creating my characters.. Not sure if that's a good thing or not, ha.

Gavin D Walsh

Thanks for your input, Jim :)

Jorge J Prieto
Writing Description

Don't know about any of you, but I'm guilty, especially in my early screenplays of writing what a character is thinking or feeling. It's something engraved on us, me, from reading so many novels where this is what we expect as readers and in screenwriting, if the audience can't see it, we shouldn't...

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COLUMN D: Writing Description Part 1
COLUMN D: Writing Description Part 1
Drew Yanno gives advice on how to write "description" in your screenplay.
Adam S. MacPherson

Jorge, great discussion topic. Dan, Kevin, Doug, great to get back in a discussion with all while we have time. Here is what I do, and I am not an expert, an absolute newbie by the way, just throwing...

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Jorge J Prieto

Adam: Thanks for the compliment, my friend. It's always nice to hear someone take notice. Like your suggestions, but like you said, the word count might be an issue for me. Has this ever been used bef...

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Doug Nelson

Dan - you can't agree with me; how can we get a learning-for-all discussion going?

Christopher Binder
The correct POV

How do you determine which character's perspective your story should be told from and why do you think some writers and directors misfire when it comes to this? What are some of your favorite examples of films that told their stories from the wrong character's POV? How would you have told those stor...

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Christopher Binder

Dan- After seeing the Ultimate Cut last night you could now argue that Supes doesn't get stepped on and that the story is more balanced in how they view each other. Batman still has the biggest charac...

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Christopher Binder

You can get it on Amazon for 19.99.

Stacey Stallone Stefano

interesting !

Software Ideas??

I have about a dozen ideas that I want to turn into a screenplay and or teleplay. I was wondering if anyone knows of any inexpensive screenwriting software that is great for movies and TV movies? I've heard Final Draft is the gold standard but the cost is out of my league right now. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

David Liberman

Celtx is the only free one I have heard of. I don't use it, but I hear it's ok.

Craig D Griffiths

I use Celtx in a good workflow. Celtx Card app so I can flesh out a story. This then sync to Celtx on the web. Celtx Script app means I can write on my phone and tablet. So I can write anywhere. Celtx...

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Anthony Moore

WritersDuet. Free and it handles movies and TV. I switched from Celtx as WD is easier to use.

Anita Marie Melerski
Canadian/UK films/tv

Can anyone recommend and films or tv series from these countries that I might be able to watch on streaming? I'm doing some research. Any recommendations from any genres would be great. Thank you. :) btw the BBC show luther is totally amazing for any of you who haven't seen it yet. ;)

Kevin Little

It doesn't get more Canadian than Trailer Park Boys on Netflix.

GiVan Johnson

Sherlock, broadchurch, top of the lake, Continuum. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and ghost writer. Just to name a few.

Tina Goldsack

I like Wayward Pines! It is filming here in Vancouver! A Thriller sci fy!

Dimi Nakov
At Least 6 Things Can Be Done to Save a Dying Screenplay

From No Film School <>> "Writing a screenplay is kind of like falling in love. You're passionate. You're devoted. You couldn't imagine this beautiful thing coming in any other form. But as time goes on, things get complicated. You start to see the blemishes. Issues start to pop up. You're putting in...

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Eddie G

Good article.

Kevin Little

I like the "organ donor" part, it's good advice. I think sometimes we fall in love with aspects of our script (including characters obviously) and can't let go when it's not working. Just surgically r...

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Tom Batha

Or...#7: Don't beat yourself up with frustration. Put the script aside and start work on something new. When the time is right to re-visit the old script with a fresh perspective, you'll know.

Kevin Little

"Nobody Knows Anything". "Stack Your Deck". "Always take the water bottle." All gold, no sarcasm. Thanks for sharing, Clare.

Jorge J Prieto

Great post, Clare. Thanks for posting it. I especially love this, "It’s wonderful when meetings and emails go so well. Screenwriters need that boost amidst the constant rejection. But for survival, yo...

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Dimi Nakov
Awesome interview about screenwriting with William C. Martell

From Film Courage <>> Awesome interview about screenwriting with William C. Martell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqtuZMt5pgA #FilmCourage #scripwriting #screenwriting #writing

William Martell

Thanks! This is almost 2 hours, was recorded on a really hot day after I'd done a day of classes... and was dehydrated and sleepy. I'm amazed that anything I said made sense!

Dimi Nakov

When i watched your interviews you are always full of energy and could not tell that you are tired, but now even after you mentioned it, its barely noticeable..Great interviews and really helpful and insightful..Thank you..D

Kevin Little

To be honest, William, when I first watched that interview you did look a little uncomfortable :) But it was incredibly insightful and I picked up quite a few tips that I've taken branded into my pers...

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Dimi Nakov
If there’s one key component that fuels any writer, it’s inspiration. The Ultimate Inspirational Video for All Screenwriters

From The Huffington Post & Screen Craft <>> "If there’s one key component that fuels any writer, it’s inspiration. Screenwriters need inspiration to conjure concepts, characters, dialogue, stories, scenes, sequences, twists, turns, etc. At the same time, they also need inspiration to get through the...

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Kevin Little

What was it William said in one of his Film Courage interviews? That screenwriters who sit in front of their laptop all day will see their world shrink. We have to go the other way, get out there and experience the world, because that's where ideas (and inspiration) come from.

Fritz-Alain Moise

I agree with Dimi and William. Great post!

Dawn Foden

i believe inspiration can be found anywhere take photographs of anything that makes you feel anything , write quotes that make you think of something or stir up emotions, collect newspaper articles, w...

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Gina Galway

Hi Kevin, thanks for connecting!

Kevin's network

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