THE STORY SPOT

Contributor:  Snark the Reader

More nuggets are regularly posted at: http://snarksscriptnuggets.blogspot.com and @SnarkTheReader

If you haven’t heard, ScriptFrenzy month is nigh: April 1-30, 2010.

Whether you’re playing along or not, here’s a bit of sage advice for all writers from Greg Marcks–as posted on the ScriptFrenzy site.

I don’t have ten tips, or five tips, or even three tips. I can only give you one tip: Please, for the love of all that is holy, know your story before you start writing.

This is so much more difficult than it sounds. I always thought writing was exploratory, an attempt to exorcise a subconscious theme I was wrestling with. While this approach can work for short stories or short film scripts, it becomes unwieldy and time-consuming when tackling feature screenplays or novels.

BEFORE you type FADE IN:, plan the beginning, the middle, and the end.

Don’t know where to start? Try these on for size:

• The Logline: Your New Best Friend – A good start when you have an idea but don’t know what to do next.
• New Writers! Be Unafraid! 10 Tips for Diving In – For a bit of inspiration as you begin.
• Endings Make the Best Beginnings – Finding your story, all of your story.

Don’t take our word for it, take Greg’s. Read the full post, “KNOW YOUR STORY by Greg Marcks” at ScriptFrenzy.org. And while you’re at it, pony up for the privilege. Donations to the wonder that is ScriptFrenzy can be made through The Office of Letters and Light.

Here’s a handy addition to your library. It’s the ICM Story Department Coverage Packet as posted by screenwriter and teacher Scott Meyers on his blog, “Go Into The Story“.

Scott Meyers of "Go Into the Story"

Meyers breaks down the packet and gives further explication on the basics such as the logline, character breakdowns, and adding personal comments. Valuable stuff, people. Read on.

This marks the first of what we hope will be many articles written for you, our readers, by you, our readers. As “How to Be a Script Reader and Give Great Coverage” continues to be one of our most popular posts (according to Google, anyway), we’ve invited a script reader living deep in the studio trenches to give us a peek into the inner workings of The Gatekeeper.

As we love to do, congratulations go out to this year’s nominees in outstanding screenwriting for the 82nd annual Academy Awards — the Oscars to you and me. Never mind that the writers were last on the Academy’s list…

Original Screenplay

• “The Hurt Locker“. Written by Mark Boal.
• “Inglourious Basterds“. Written by Quentin Tarantino.
• “The Messenger“. Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman.
• “A Serious Man“. Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen.
• “Up“. Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter. Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy.

Adapted Screenplay

• “District 9“. Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell.
• “An Education“. Screenplay by Nick Hornby.
• “In the Loop“. Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche.
• “Precious“. Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher.
• “Up in the Air“. Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner.

The full, printable list of Oscar nominees (useful for ballot making!)