Nifty Robot Filmmaking and Screenwriting Podcast

Establishing A Strong Protagonist

// April 29th, 2009 // No Comments » // podcast, screenwriting

Hi everyone! We made it back again with another show. This time we spend some time discussing protagonists. It’s crucial for every story to have a strong protagonist and in this podcast episode we share some of our thoughts and methods to establish a strong protagonist in your story. Below are some of my quick notes from the episode.

Character has to have understandable wants and needs
Story needs to reveal a clear and consistent goal for the protagonist
Needs to be able to realisticly overcome obstacles
Let the character show the audience who is not tell us through dialogue
Audience needs to care about the protagonist
Don’t wait too long to introduce your protagonist, they might fall for someone else
Needs to have a clear [...] Continue Reading…

Make a Commitment to Screenwriting as a Craft

// April 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // filmmaking, screenwriting

I’ve recently been thinking about what it means to commit yourself to the craft of filmmaking and screenwriting. Screenwriting and filmmaking are like any other learned skill, it takes time and practice to produce quality work. This fact alone is why so many young filmmakers and screenwriters never make the transition to professional.

They are in such a hurry to finish their first screenplay, win a screenwriting competition, get an agent, sell their script, and make their film they never stop to think if their screenplay is any good. Let’s be honest, it probably sucks! It probably sucks really bad!

Is it because they are a terrible writer? Yes.

Is it because the screenplay lacks depth, creativity, and interesting characters? Yes.

Does this [...] Continue Reading…

Pre-Production Tips Part 2 of 2

// April 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // filmmaking, podcast

Here is the second of a two part podcast on the topic of pre-production. This is basically some notes and tips we’ve gathered from our own production experiences. Below is a few of the topics we’ll cover over the two episodes.
Get organized as soon as possible.

Keep a calendar and develop a production schedule (OmniPlan)
Invest in a rolodex or group contacts together. Schedule meetings with your principal crew (Google Groups)
Keep a running to-do list (Evernote)

Delegate!

Assemble a good core of principal production people (i.e. DP, assistant director, PA’s)
Trust the people you delegate responsibility to. They’ll do your job if you let them.
Collaborate BEFORE production. Nothing halts production more than a director and DP who can’t decide on the best way to [...] Continue Reading…

How many screenplays does it take to get the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?

// April 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // screenwriting

Ok so my headline is a little crazy but it doesn’t get you out of answering the question. My headline just like the classic commercial is asking the question how long is it going to take before we get to that wonderful middle section that everyone wants to get to.

How the hell does pertain to screenwriting your probably asking. Let me tell you. A lot of young screenwriters write one feature length script and decide it’s time to pursue a real film career. Wrong.

You probably are still a pretty bad writer after your first completed screenplay. Although I’ve talked about this before I think it’s important to mention that you should set goals for yourself to achieve BEFORE you [...] Continue Reading…

Pre-Production Tips Part 1 of 2

// April 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // filmmaking, podcast

Here is the first of a two part podcast on the topic of pre-production. This is basically some notes and tips we’ve gathered from our own production experiences. Below is a few of the topics we’ll cover over the two episodes.
Get organized as soon as possible.

Keep a calendar and develop a production schedule (OmniPlan)
Invest in a rolodex or group contacts together. Schedule meetings with your principal crew (Google Groups)
Keep a running to-do list (Evernote)

Delegate!

Assemble a good core of principal production people (i.e. DP, assistant director, PA’s)
Trust the people you delegate responsibility to. They’ll do your job if you let them.
Collaborate BEFORE production. Nothing halts production more than a director and DP who can’t decide on the best way to [...] Continue Reading…