Beat Sheets

Have you ever wanted to see some example Beat Sheets? Check out:
http://www.beatsheetcentral.com/
How about some more? Check out:
http://johnaugust.com/library

Script - Tips from Michael Hauge

I recently stumbled upon Michael Hauge (author or Sell Your Story in 60 Seconds) and found these wonderful tips.

If you would recollect I was searching for ways to make my hero more likable a few months ago. He has elaborated these in this above mentioned book too.

• Introduce the hero within the first ten pages and create immediate IDENTIFICATION using:
• sympathy,
• jeopardy,
• likability,
• humor or power.
• Give the hero a compelling DESIRE, with a clear, visible goal for her to reach by the end of the movie.
• Provide seemingly insurmountable OBSTACLES the hero must overcome to achieve that goal.
• Make the story CREDIBLE: your characters must behave the way people with their backgrounds would logically behave in whatever situation you have created.
• EMPLOY SUBTEXT: avoid clichéd, on-the-nose, or “announcing” dialogue, or speeches that duplicate the action.
• Create GROWTH for your hero by giving her an emotional fear to overcome as she pursues her goal.
• Give the story a clear, satisfying ENDING.

Here is what I would add: After you have written a script following all the above ask yourself whose story it is, ask if there is a singular protagonist and singular antagonist, ask if there is enough conflict all through, and ask if there is a tangible event to mark the ending.

Remember: Movie is a Character's (protagonist) journey (plot) towards a Goal which the character desperately wants against all odds (antagonist).

50 Excellent Photoshop Tutorials

See what Callum Chapman has listed here
http://sixrevisions.com/photoshop/top-50-adobe-photoshop-tutorials-of-2009/
What a wonderful collection! Enjoy.

How to Create Heros?

Lately I was struggling through my latest script trying to make the hero more likable. Looking through my class notes I gathered the following:

• Determine the key strength and weakness of the protagonist. Weakness can be a flaw or fear.
• The protagonist should have a good motive (for his/her actions) too.
• Remember no one is interested in just reading/seeing someone become rich etc - if however you make the protagonist struggle through for someone's cause (like a loved one, or the ailing grandma or the friend who lost his limbs etc) then it makes it interesting.

I found these links good: Hero's qualities and Create likable heroes

Make heroes believable, likable (give good qualities), larger than life (must do great things that many never accomplish) and desirable (give some special charm).

Different Strokes - Fred and Marley

Today Fred Rubin who wrote and produced such iconic TV shows as "Night Court", "Different Strokes", "Archie Bunker's Place", "Mama's Family," "Step by Step" and "Family Matters" visited DeAnza and lectured us about writing the sitcom spec script and writing jokes. He was really really good and shared with us the methodology he has been using to generate new ideas.

We where also joined by Fred's wife Marley who produced for the Emmy winning show "Home Improvement" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" for a podcase which is available on iTunes U (tune to Hollywood North).

They both discussed on breaking into the business, how TV show gets made from writer's room to studio floor, and the future of television, etc

On the whole it was a great night - good choice Barack (Goldman) on bringing Fred and Marley.

Beaten -a short

Checkout this short: http://vimeo.com/5350719

Awesome iPhone applications

Again I am amazed by what WebDesigner Dept has published.
Check out:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/04/40-awesome-iphone-application-websites/
I really love the ones they have picked - hope you do too.