As I mentioned in my Expo Survival Guide, I would be making a list of  ‘qualifiers’ necessary to make it as a Hollywood screenwriter.  Some speakers said “anyone can do it if I can”, while others were more inclined to believe that “only the sane and dedicated have a shot”.  Honestly, not just anyone can [...]

Billy’s second session was more about the current trend in comedy toward the raunchy, Judd Apatow type of humour. Establishing The Comedic World The first thing you need to do in order for audiences to accept this kind of humour is to establish likable characters.  If we like the characters, we’re willing to go anywhere [...]

Writing the Romantic Comedy I apologise to those of you who are not romantic comedy or comedy writers as that is all I had time for at the Expo.  Having said that, however, there are a few tips that will apply to any genre. Billy Mernit was one of the best workshop speakers at the [...]

Continued from yesterday’s article on Danny Manus’ guide to the pitchfest. Pitching Do’s and Don’ts: What not to Pitch: The period piece. Anything before 1970 is considered a period piece.  It’ll be hard to sell, but if you have a solid story and rockin’ script, pitch it. The mega-budget sci-fi fantasy epic trilogy No production [...]

Ever wonder what it’s like to attend a screenwriters’ pitchfest?  Courtesy of Tim Coyne’s The Hollywood Podcast, here’s an excellent audio clip of real pitches that work and a lot that don’t.  See if you can tell the difference.  Thanks, Tim!