Nifty Robot Filmmaking and Screenwriting Podcast

100 Days/1,000 Pages Screenwriting Challenge

// May 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // 100 Days/1,000 Pages, screenwriting

I suck at writing. I suck at planning to write. I suck at finding the time to write. I suck at finding the motivation to write.

That’s not a great thing for someone who wants to make a living as a writer. So what is a dreamer to do? I’m aware of my bad writing habits and have decided it’s time to change them. What can I do to jolt the lazy writing habits out of my system.

With me it’s usually all or nothing. Usually the latter. So I had to think of an extreme way for me to completely purge this lazy habit out of my system. So this is what I came up with.

Write a shit load of [...] Continue Reading…

Nifty Robot is Coming Back!

// May 27th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // podcast

Well, I’m back! It’s been a little while since Nifty Robot was active. 9 months to be exact. But the wait is finally over. Don’t worry I’m not delusional. I know nobody has been waiting for us. But we’re back anyways, jerks!

In case you were wondering why we’ve been on this nine month hiatus, it’s basically because I packed up my family and moved to LA! That’s right we made the excrusiatingly long journey from San Diego. I know what you’re thinking, “It doesn’t take nine months to move 130 miles.”. Well you’re right. It doesn’t. It only took a couple of months to get moved and settled in. The rest of the time I’ve been lazy as shit. [...] Continue Reading…

Script Consulting and Rewriting with Pilar Alessandra

// June 22nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // podcast, screenwriting

Today we talk with with script consultant Pilar Alessandra from www.onthepage.tv all about rewriting, working with a script analyist, and the industry in general.

Don’t forget to take a look at Pilar’s website and screenwriting podcast in iTunes.

Putting Together Your Treatment and Outline

// April 30th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // podcast, screenwriting

In today’s podcast episode we’ll be talking about putting together your treatment and outline. Andy and I have similar methods when it comes to putting these things together. But it turns out we also have differences when it comes to actually executing these documents. In this episode we’ll discuss our tactics and strategies when it comes to writing a treatment and outline for your script.
Importance of note cards

allows you to visually see your story in front of you
allows you to easily rearrange, add, and delete scenes, characters, and sub plots without doing too much damage
complete freedom in regards to creative story development

What should be in your screenplay treatment or “brain dump”

producers want to know what happens next after your [...] Continue Reading…

Dealing With Writer’s Block

// April 29th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // podcast, screenwriting

Writer’s block is an issue I think eventually effects every young screenwriter. We all know there is nothing worse than sitting there staring at that blank page without an idea in your head how to finish that script.

In this episode Andy and I talk about some of the ways we try avoid writer’s block and methods we use to work through it when it does strike. Below are some show notes and topics.
How to work past writers block while continue working forward

go back to your note cards
get yourself re-inspired about your story
watch your movie in your head
write character back stories
do whatever you can to get the creative juices flowing again
take an entire week off
write in small chunks, 30 min
write [...] Continue Reading…