Nifty Robot Filmmaking and Screenwriting Podcast

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 a side story about one of your characters to find that joyful writing place again
• feel free to skip around your story, you don’t have to write from page 1 to 110
• write where in your story you are inspired to write

How to avoid writers block altogether

• be prepared, plan, plot, scheme
• KNOW YOUR STORY BEFORE YOU WRITE
• write a treatment/outline
• have confidence in yourself and ability to write a good story, wait till after to hate your work
• be a complete egotistical maniac asshole

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 antagonist

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 mean there is no chance in hell they could ever make it as a professional screenwriter or filmmaker? Not in the slightest.

Like any other job, you are NOT a superstar on day one. I relate it to that feeling you have the first week at a brand new job. No matter what qualifications and skills you bring with you that first week you still feel like an idiot and completely out of your element. It takes time to get the feel for something new, it takes time to learn some new shit!

Screenwriting and filmmaking aren’t any different. To become a truly efficient story teller it takes practice, usually lots of it. I’m no different from anyone else in regards to this topic. I want to have my breakthrough moment now! Right now damn it! But what I want even more than that is to be great at what I do. I know my skills as a writer and filmmaker are not at the level they need to be yet. I know if I tried “going for it” it would probably end with mass rejection and disappointment. Common sense tells me to just relax, don’t be so eager, and just learn how to write.

With this in mind this is exactly what I’m doing. I set goals for myself that I think will allow me to hone my skills as a screenwriter and filmmaker. Pushing myself to reach these self improvement goals will give me the confidence I need when it is finally time to go after the dream.

In my next post I’ll go through each of the goal oriented tasks I’ve set for myself to improve my confidence and skill as a filmmaker and screenwriter.

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 do a certain shot. Plan out things like shot sheets before hand. Again, be flexible and leave something’s for the set

Casting is key

• Find actors that are above all easy to work with. At this level of film making a difficult actor (or director, for that matter) can implode a production
• Uses asides from your script. Actors auditioning will have a better idea of the tone of the film and there will be less surprises. (Skype)
• Rehearse your actors but let them find their characters. Again at this level, the more you can delegate the better. Everyone learns from everyone else and many times a talented actor will bring (and should bring) something to the character you never would have thought of.

Be courteous and professional with everyone you deal with.

• Be prompt in responses
• Be assertive of your needs up front
• Be ready to adjust if need be
• Know when to direct and when to watch.

Leave your pre-production tips, tricks, and strategies in the comments section below. We’d love to hear your experience with some of these topics.

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 try to actively pursue a real career as a writer.

What will your magic number be?

The magic number I refer to is how many feature length screenplays you are going to write before trying to go pro. My number is six. Don’t ask me why six it’s just the number that I feel I will be satisfied with my level skill as a screenwriter.

So this means we’ve got a shit ton of writing to do. But this is a good thing. Remember everything we write is just more practice for that day someone notices us. My point in all this is that I want to ensure that I have confidence in my own writing ability before I go out there and ask an agent or a producer to have that confidence. And I think I have enough common sense and self realization to know that I am not ready as a writer to pursue that.

I need practice. I’m the first to admit that. So I’ve decided that before I really start to aggressively pursue a film career I want to have written at least six full length screenplays, a dozen or so shorts, and have shot, produced, and distributed at least ten of my own creations.

Now when I say distribute of course I’m speaking about online distribution on public sites like YouTube and FunnyOrDie. Quite honestly the internet is a great distribution method for young filmmakers because it allows us to reach massive amounts of people in a short amount of time.

These short webisodes, skits, and comedic shorts aren’t going to be distributed and shared with the public in hope of making money. But they are intended to gain attention and true audience feedback. What a great way to reach a large sample audience and evaluate their reaction and feedback to your work. Paying close attention to comments made about your videos, although sometimes difficult to read because there are so many assholes out there, is wonderful feedback into how we can improve as screenwriters and filmmakers.

Experience is what we are truly after here. Experience breeds confidence and confidence is what helps you get jobs.

So find that magic number for yourself. Be honest with yourself, don’t cheat yourself out of experience you deep down know you should be getting. Remember that this is merely a guideline for you to shoot for. If you submit your screenplay in a contest and it wins and a producer wants to buy it that’s great! Should you stop writing because you think you’ve made it? No way! Keep writing, get better, and create great stories. Do this and I guarantee it won’t be the last time you see interest in your work.

Post your magic number in the comments section below and tell us how close you are to reaching that number.