Advice

The Roman god, Janus, is often depicted with two opposing faces. His name gave us January and, nowadays, symbolizes our need to look back at the old and look forward to what our futures hold. But more importantly, Janus served as god of doorways and of journeys. And a god associated with entrances and exits needs two faces to see where he's come and where he hopes to go. As we move into the new year, a writer can value this god's symbol. We can reflect upon our personal journey, appreciate its past with its numerous thresholds and acknowledge our...

Veteran actress K Callan has authored several great reference books for actors, directors and others who need a foot (or a good agent) to open the door to the biz. Here, she recaps her advice for screenwriters answering some of the most immediate questions that writers have. ~~~ Will you read my script? I could read your script, but I'm not someone who can 'pass you along,' that's not what I do. I've recommended two fine young writers to my agent, and they have still not been read. One of them even had had his film produced and had a...

It may seem peculiar in the 21st century to discuss screenwriting in the same breath as anything that had to do with the 19th century. What does one have to do with the other? After all, the only visual representation that remotely resembled a motion picture was Muybridge's zoopraxiscope: a revolving device consisting of a series of still shots photographed in sequence that appeared to move when viewed through a narrow viewing port. It had no story, only the novelty of movement. The imagination of the viewer filled in the rest. Once motion pictures began telling stories, filmmakers looked to...

You've slaved over every syllable to make it memorable. Your manuscript spills over with high ideas, scathing wit and a dash of drama that would send even the coldest executive producer groping for a box of Kleenex. Yet, for the life of you, you can't get anyone in the business to read it, let alone give you a call. What gives? Let's face it. You're not just competing with the other good scripts and first novels. You're competing with piles and piles... and piles... of bad ones. Aside from step one -- producing the most imaginative, tightest manuscript you can...

A phone conversation with Linda Seger on the subject of Writer's Block ~~ 'What happens with a lot of people is that they stay within their safety zone, always doing things where they're safe and secure. So I say go and do something where you don't feel safe or secure and see how you feel. See what you learn. So if you've never been to a Country & Western bar, go. Or take a flying lesson. Or take the train down to San Diego to see what it feels like to be on the train, who you see, what kind...