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Blog Details for "ScreenPlay"
ScreenPlayScreenPlayScreenwriting as it happens and why it happens from an award winning writer with experience in shorts and animations as well as features with past projects in the USA, UK, Ireland, Canada and India.
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Sweeny Todd
2007-12-13 04:57:00 An aesthetic delight! I'm not going to say much about this movie. I don't want to have my psyche unearth some weakness in it that my mind has blanked out. I saw it at a private screening recently and was completely blown away. The visuals are stunning. From the opening sequence through the Old London Town roof tops to the attic room over the pie shoppe - that damn window is the key to the whole More About: Sweeny Todd
Old Habits Die Hard
2007-11-07 00:16:00 I once adapted an opera into a screenplay. It had a contemporary setting and was all but self-contained. I wrote the thing in 16 days from the inception to BAFTA Rocliffe Award winning draft. I was told by a director working on the universal lot, with some major credits to his name "it was one of the best calling cards he'd seen for a long time". Then I put it aside. Until three weeks ago More About: Habits , Hard , Die Hard
War Pigs
2007-11-05 21:08:00 Found a little gem this morning. I'd forgotten I'd written it way back when for a pulp magazine. I figure it'd be interesting to post. Enjoy. War Pigs by Iain Hamilton McLean Copyright © 2007 They were men of honor. Young men. Boys. The last time they saw the eyes of their loved ones was 1915. Three long years ago these lucky men set out to become heroes. We're still alive. Not many
WGA Writers Strike
2007-11-01 18:07:00 I've been keeping quiet about this.But I do think you should read this page and find out what Alec Baldwin has to say on the matter. This will have far reaching implications beyond how Letterman et al will fair. This topic that covers a contract which has become outmoded in the world of rapidly changing technology and broadcast media.There's a massive amount of feedback on the report, some good some not so good but it is well worth the read.Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Writers , Strike
The Gates Of Hell
2007-10-31 22:40:00 People always ask about one thing:How do I break into screenwriting; what's the secret?The simple answer is there isn't a secret. There's no wise old man who has all the answers. Mainly it's about networking.There is something else you can do: share your experiences. That's another way of networking and I'm going to provide you a forum right here to do just that.There are so many genres, mediums and all variances of how a screenplay could originate or be produced professionally. Too many to list but one way you can all help is by listing on here your experiences.Tell people if you found a way to have your work read, if someone ripped you off, stole your work/story or just even tell the world who the good people are so all your fellow scribes around the world can rest easy knowing it's not just them!I'm going to leave this post available as a main link to allow easy access. Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Hell , Gates , The G
Johnny Rotten!
2007-10-31 22:00:00 Nice snippet here:So the wife is in a meeting at one of the major networks where she works and spots a gent outside having a moment.She did the hono(u)r able thing and told him I thought he was a cool guy. We're talking about the original cool guy, John Lydon, so after a brief conversation I own my first bit of pop music memorabilia!I recall many many moons ago when I first came to the USA I was having a beer with Sean Penn and some buddies in a private room in a San Francisco bar. That was my first 'star' meeting. Since then it hasn't really affected me - they're all just smoke and mirrors those star folk...But a musical icon. That's different.Check out his website for news about gigs and other gud stuff!Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Johnny , Johnny Rotten , Rotten
What's My Line?
2007-10-31 07:21:00 Here's a question: Ever thought why your screenplay doesn't quite work out as you envisioned when you started writing it all those months ago? Did you get to an answer?Here's a clue.Which of the ONLY three stories in the world does your hero's saga fall into? And don't be fooled. There are only three stories: Man against nature. Man against machine. Man against man. Once you know the answer to that little gem think about your story's genre. Is it a thriller, a sci-fi or even a film noir? There are many different genres, each with it's own rules. You must know the story descriptor (man, machine, nature) and the genre before putting pen to paper. Then the work begins. To illustrate my point watch as Anthony Hopkins weaves his dance around Ryan Gosling in Fracture. This amazing film works purely as the writers Daniel Pyne and Glenn Gers knew their genre. They created a web of lies, twists and turns much like any courtroom would see during a murder trial. Therein ... More About: Line
The Big Secret.
2007-10-30 23:44:00 Last week I was at a meeting in North Hollywood. Someone who I have a lot of respect for keeps trying to get me to direct one of my scripts. We had a great time and made some headway towards supporting his argument. Then it happened. The waiter turned out to be a musician, in town for six months who had a script to sell. How many times have we all heard that? Quite a few no doubt. But then he asked the fatal question that killed any chance of us taking him seriously: ?What's the big secret to writing a good script?? I told him. The plain simple facts. There isn't a secret. It's all maths. Just like music you have a mathematical framework that your story or melody must sit on in order to work and balance. See the key word? Balance:An equation is two expressions that must balance about the equals sign. In a screenplay your equals sign is the moment about page 60, something Joseph Campbell termed The Ordeal. Your hero must die and throw the shackles of his old world/per... More About: Secret
New Beginnings.
2007-10-23 08:36:00 So. I have made a decision.Amid people asking about my adaptation of Tosca, the one that won a BAFTA Rocliffe Award, and GoldFish I have decided to enlighten you all as to my vision.It's amazing.Call me Saul.Or Paul.I call it Pavlary Theory.When I explain it you will appreciate it is where we are headed with today's technological upheaval of the entertainment industry.I began this notion a few years back and only mentioned it to a few guys int he UK 'studio' system who told me to leave it to 'Hollywood'. Well now I live here and nothing's happened.I think it's time to share.Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com
The Power of a Story
2007-10-16 08:50:00 I saw something amazing tonight.A writer whom I have known for some time tonight shared with me a story that she is working on. It was her long saved ambition to only begin this project when the time was right and she feels that time is now.I have heard of the story and even read basic notes in the past. I have to say. it is an amazingly beautiful narrative. One I wish to read in full in due time.Then the amazing thing happened. As she sat and we worked out a methodology that would work for her to structure the story to enable the characters to live she became quiet.Normally she is a very boisterous person; someone who grabs ideas and runs with them but then you'd have to be being a movie producer wouldn't you. She sat still and just stared at me.For a fleeting moment I thought I have crossed the boundary and through our discussion altered her vision in some form but that was not the case.Her eyes tinged with redness, she tried to hold it in but it happened. A single stray tear ro... More About: Power , Story
New Look To ScreenPlay
2007-10-09 10:34:00 Quick post.New day. New era. New look.Hope you like it.Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Cree , Screenplay , New Look
Story Structure
2007-10-09 01:06:00 It's October. My last post was some months ago. One day I'll explain but for now lets just say I was handed a golden story and spent time researching it.For now I want to discuss story structure. I know it's been done to death with guys like Syd Field and Robert McKee as the main protagonists in that area but I have something I'd like to bring to your attention.To Live And Die In L.A.Watch the film. 1985. Dir: William Friedkin. William Pettersen & Willem Dafoe.When you've watched the movie (which had good reviews and didn't flop) think how the screenplay would have been covered in a competition today. The hero dies before the conclusion and pay-off; leaving the final scenes to illicit our emotions using a main protagonist that entered the story a little under halfway through.Now here's my question. The story works; it's not new, it's nothing over the top and it comes full circle, but would a studio reader following the golden guides set down by the current environment o... More About: Story , Structure
Tracing My Work...
2007-06-19 23:49:00 This week saw something amazing happen.I haven't been actively updating this blog of late, what with all the other work I had going on I let it slide a little. I've been working on my piping again you see.I did put one post about the ebay thing as a sort of random idea and it got some comments. I know how many different people read this blog by a tracker I use so I'm aware a lot of you read and don't comment. Then I write about ebay......and you begin to post. I'm flattered and amused. It's like a whole war going on with that thing and I only put it up as something to fill a post! Sadly three very negative people wrote some comments that were purely destructive and they had to be removed but I'm leaving the rest. It's fun watching it evolve.That's that dealt with.Then something even stranger happened. I thought seeing as one of the negative comments said she'd searched for my work and done nothing I'd see what I could find about myself on the net. And behold... Tosca isn... More About: Writing , Work
Script on Ebay
2007-06-15 19:54:00 Something got me thinking.I've not put a lot of thought into this as you'll soon tell.It's more of a brain fart in all actualities.I had a thought that struck me. It didn't hurt but it left a mark.What would happen if I put a script on Ebay .I'd link to it from both this blog and my Myspace blog and put a notice on Craigs List to see about increasing coverage.I'd have to have a legally binding contract with certain provisions within it as part of the deal and I'd most certainly put a starting bid on there!Then I think I'd have to contact the newsrooms and see about having it on shows like Goodmorning LA so Gillian and Lucy can gossip about it, leaving it fresh in people's minds before they go to work.I think I'll ponder this one for a while.I know I can 'knock one out' purely for such an outlet; a genre piece of low budget orientation so fledgeling filmmakers could by a good script to work to.Hmmm. Food for thought.Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogsp... More About: Script
Google Gadget ... NEW!!
2007-06-13 23:08:00 So my friends,Some nice person, or machine, in the Googl e corporation decided to corrupt my Google gadget. That means the original one no longer works and I can't get into it to reset it.So I made new ones. They're really easy to have on your customized Google homepage if you follow the instructions.The new gadets are listed below and this time I have made them much better. They have a whole other world of functionality in them as each one tracks a single project. As some of you know I work fast on a lot of projects at once so this method should give you all more insight into my project status at a glance.The new LXIX:1 Google desktop gadget allows you to track a screenplay in the horror genre as it is written.Add your friend's gadget to iGoogleThe new Joy Feast Google desktop gadget allows you to track a screenplay in the horror genre as it is written.Add your friend's gadget to iGoogleHow you enjoy them.Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Movies , Gadget
Google Schmoogle
2007-06-05 19:48:00 So!I build a gadget.People begin using it.I get good comments about it...Then something happens with the labyrith that is Googl e and it no longer works.I can't even access it to see if I can fix it!Bugger me sideways!Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Moog
It's been a long time baby...
2007-06-01 23:59:00 Bagpipe's are back.I've just gone through a major rewrite and got some studio eyes turning my way.Then I began another thing for a horror director which is cool.Then...Stand Easy have asked me to be their new piper replacing my good friend from the LA Scots Pipe Band, Jeff Cullen. They're one of the coolest celtic rock bands I've heard and have a couple of CDs for sale.If you like The Battlefield, Lunasa, Chieftains, Wolfstone, Molly's Revenge or The Wicked Tinckers check out the band website Stand Easy & John McLean Allan There's none of that beige shortbread shite music..... jist guid stuff tae git yer fut tappin...Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Baby , Time , Long , Been
Google Gadget
2007-05-21 04:58:00 Hello! I have a Googl e Gadget entitled Iain Hamilton McLean and I would like to share it with you via iGoogle, your personalized version of the Google homepage.My gadget may change from one day to the next, so that way you can keep up to date with what I'm working on.***Add your friend's gadget to iGoogle***Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Writing
Google Gadget
2007-05-21 04:58:00 Hello! I have a Googl e Gadget entitled Iain Hamilton McLean and I would like to share it with you via iGoogle, your personalized version of the Google homepage.My gadget may change from one day to the next, so that way you can keep up to date with what I'm working on.***Add Iain Hamilton McLean's gadget to iGoogle***Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Writing
My Story... Is My Avalanche
2007-05-20 21:05:00 So. Lets start at the beginning.It's the best place to begin. How many times have you been talking to a writer for any medium only to hear them use the phrase 'my story' every second sentence? I HATE that phrase!! I was out with some CBS guys on Friday evening and one or two people used that catchphrase so many times I began to wonder what was happening. Had I entered my own Groundhog Night? These people were brilliantly talented guys with good ideas, the ability to communicate their ideas and to make them happen but then they all stopped at the same point. My Story .What the fuck is MY STORY!? I'll tell you... seminar bullshit!!This is one of the fundamental barriers to a project not filling it's truest potential.I'll try not to be long winded on this one...My story is something I create. I create a world for characters to come to life. I create a world. You can call me, as the author of that world, God. Now lets equate that to real life. If God exists, your God whomever he ma... More About: Writing , Avalanche , My Story , Alan
The Future Of Film
2007-05-13 02:45:00 So I just got back from a meeting.We were at the Raleigh Studios with development executives from Lionsgate Film s, 20th Century Fox, Mosaic Media Group, Warner Horizon and Artfire Films. One of the interesting things that was discussed was the future of the big studio system in view of young audiences. This demographic is also the sector of the entertainment industry's focus as far as mass marketing of video games and graphic novels are concerned. Now; we have a common thread here, graphic novels are the soup du jour for development of late and they are intrinsically linked to video games, in turn more and more video games are co-developed as films. Then lets look at the state of modern technology. Five years ago I had to wait six months to have a DVD release if I didn't see something at the movies. Now the same wait is down to six weeks in some cases. Even then I have the option for viewing online, downloading and then I have a choice of where I view my purchase, my games co... More About: Future , The Future
Ealing Studios
2007-05-11 23:16:00 Imitation is the greatest form of flatterySomeone brought this to my attention this morning! LONDON:Ealing Studios is partnering with Lionhead Productions to back and produce Oscar winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes sophomore directorial outing ?From Time to Time.?The film details the story of a boys journey through time to discover his family?s dramatic and mysterious past." Fellowes is also co-producing. From today?s Hollywood Reporter. Sounds like a tag line from "The Beloved" to me!! Makes for interesting reading... especially when Julian Fellowes has previously endorsed one of my projects, The Beloved but refused to develop it at the time, stating "in a couple of years things might be different". Well, the reason a while back was that he had just signed to an American management company and as such had to "obey those terrible American rules about other people's work". Seems that after all, a couple of years down the line Mr. Fellowes was so inspired by my work he went out...
Time Magazine
2007-05-10 20:53:00 April 30th Issue: Arts section lead article. It seems according to the article there's a new power in movies. Boys who like toys; and let's face it which boy doesn't like a toy? I found the article while having a read on the thinking throne over the weekend. It cites John Campea, Nick Nunziata, Berge Garabedian and of course the one and only Harry Knowles of aintitcool.com fame as the main protagonists. I say right on! Movies are made for the masses. These guys have some of the largest readerships globally and have huge voices. Their reviews can make or break a project, why? Because folk read what they write before deciding if a film is worthy of a trip to the cinema or not.Arthouse is good, but has a place. Blockbusters are great but I couldn't watch them all the time. It's a balance thing. ying and yang and all that... I suppose the best thing is these guys are better descibed as the Ego Police. Any time a movie crops up that is obviously and ego-driven project these guys... More About: Magazine , Time Magazine , Time , Magazin
Therapy
2007-05-08 19:36:00 It's interesting the way writers think. Last night I had an urgent matter to attend to. A writer I know has been given a golden chance of a full time position on a major network show, but she couldn't manage to sit down and write the spec script that had been requested as proof of ability. Don't get me wrong, this person already has a good job with a major network and has written a novel or two, hell- she even used to be a producer on some independent movies and a script editor for one of the largest production companies in Europe!The show in question has just gone through some huge changes and while it's still a top ratings puller the bosses are looking for a bit of a different voice on the writing staff to assist the one main female character and a re-occurring female character. She's been told if the example script she writes is anything like her normal work, she'll be walked onto the set to meet the Executive Producer in person. She's even been asked once already when th... More About: Therapy , Erap , Thera
CraigsList
2007-05-05 00:55:00 So. You well?Me? I'm fusking cream crackered matey! Me brain's turned to mish-mash and dribbled out me lugoils from a complete and utter rewrite of over twenty pages in one morning... and there's not much left of the original text, and I put in a new story arc!My eyes sting and I think I'm developing seat sores. Not bed sores, seat sores; the ones you get where your ass skin has moulded into the leather seams on your chair and become a tad irritable.I was going to turn the laptop off but I'm hooked. I don't want to keep on with the screenplay as I can feel the creativity being watered down a bit now due to fatigue. So I thought I'd keep you guys informed.I think I'll moisturize my botty tonight before I go out, make me extra slick...Then I got to thinking. Has anyone ever posted an advert on Craig s List to sell a screenplay? I know everyone in LA and more likely the greater world beyond the Sierra's is on the list at one point or another during the week seeking that elusive... More About: Craigslist
NEXT!
2007-05-03 20:50:00 What seemed like a good idea....Plot spoilers coming....We went to the movies last night and saw Next with Nick Cage. We had been aiming to see Ghost Rider as a good friend of ours worked on the score for that picture, but we didn't get round to it. I wish we did! Maybe that way I wouldn't have made the choice to go see Next.I have never seen a guy wearing so much mascara in all my life outside of the queens in their dolly bars! That coupled with an inch thick foundation to limit facial expression and a rug that puts even the most ardent toupee wearer on the Vogue cover as model of the month!!It was interesting, in so much that students should be shown it as a measure of how not to make a high concept film. The one think we could gain from the whole saga is that somewhere along the line an executive loved the idea of a clairvoyant 'splitting himself up' and searching an entire ship all at once!I nearly fell asleep halfway through, but stuck with it... only for the end to be the... More About: Movies
Actor or Movie Star
2007-04-26 19:03:00 The two are not the same.This interesting thought was put to me yesterday. I've thought about it before but it's not one of those things that keeps me awake at night. I have other things for that!!But think about it. Can you define the terms actor and movie star? It's a big thing you need to be aware of when you are in the middle of your writing. Are you writing for an actor or o movie star? The difference can be that of a script that works and grabs the attentions of money men or a script that's a piece of art.I understand we are artists, but unless you want to go the way of Van Gogh and make not one penny while you're alive you'd better heed my words. Unless you have a pocket full of money to pay for everyone, their time and their equipment on your project you'll have to think 'movie star'.You need to put bums on seats in the theatre. To have an star attach themselves to your project you need to have something that will propel their career to places it hasn't been before... More About: Movie , Star , Actor
Jews and Scots
2007-04-25 01:14:00 Thought while I'm updating the blog I'd put this remark up here.I while back someone made the comparison to me between Jews and Scots. I have to say I agree with the hypothesis.Quite often the Jewish people are found in the financial backbone of large business, driving forward with a knowhow that exists on a cellular level. Scots on the otherhand are a nation of inventors (Ashphalt roads, pneumatic tires, telephone, television, modern lighting systems the list is endless) and as progresive thinkers they make a lot of things happen. Both communities are known for not letting a lot get in their way once they make a descision to do something. They're similar on many ways we don't usually think about.Maybe that's why on more than one occaison Jewish people have given me greetings I don't understand - once I stood rooted to the spot and a very well turned out gent saw the puzzled look in my eyes after he delivered a well meant message to us in Santa Monica. He asked us if we were ...
LA Art Colony
More articles from this author:2007-04-25 01:08:00 I spent most of Sunday last at the artists colony just north of LA. Saw some amazing work not least by Guillermo Bert and the Church of Art. The 'Church' doesn't have a web site as they're old school performance art but without a dopubt one of the most impressive and inspiring things I have seen in many years.I think you should do some digging and find out about them/him.Trust me; I was struck dumb. Hard to explain what he does but I'd be his art pimp any day!Posted by Iain Hamilton McLean at http://werdwurka.blogspot.com More About: Colon 1, 2 |
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