Screenwriting : Syd Field by Mark W. McIntire

I can't always sit down and watch two features a week, but I find it extremely helpful to watch something every day (even something so small as a sketch on youtube) and try to analyze one aspect of what I've seen, be it the script, an actor's technique, set dec, whatever strikes me as either the best or the worst of what I just saw. Trying to figure out what works or doesn't work and why is incredibly helpful for my own practice, and I totally recommend it to others.

Andrea, that sounds like an excellent way to work with YouTube, etc. to achieve a similar goal. Do you analyze alone or with someone?

Dan, yes reading many screenplays is perfect. I'm working through The Hateful Eight this weekend.

Personally, I don't follow a strict "regimen"—Why must everything be "structured?" Lol! ;) For me, I'm constantly reading scripts, books, watching films, TV series, whatever... And while doing so, I both enjoy them and try to learn from them. Often, instead of listening to music while cooking or doing chores around the house, I'll listen to a movie without viewing it. I listen to the dialogue. Or, while watching I'll have closed captioning on, so I can read the dialogue while it's being spoken, envision it on the page. I've found both practices to be very helpful in developing an ear for dialogue.

Beth, these are great ideas. I began watching the closed captioning some time back. It is very informative. Thanks

Sure, Mark, I have a bunch a little practices that I do, really out of necessity—I'm constantly juggling a lot of things in my life. Plus, for me, I prefer a more organic way of discovery, rather than a measured "system," I guess?—to each their own, right? What's funny is that in my "organic" approach, I probably consume more screenplays/films than Syd Field's recommendation. I'm probably upwards of 5-10, probably more a week ;) As far as reading/studying/analyzing screenplays... at this moment, I count 4 pdfs that I have up on my screen. What I tend to do is focus on films/TV series that are somewhat similar or related to or are tonal comps—anything really—to what I'm working on, which right now are thrillers. ;)

Patricia, thank you for this tip. I read that once upon a time and appreciate the reminder. It's exciting being in a business where people share their insights and collaborate on a creative project. Being dismissive of the learner is easy, but Tom Hanks gives the gifts of his talent so readily.

Yes! I love watching the "behind the scenes" commentary and other interviews. They're great tidbits of information. ;)

Beth, I appreciate the organic process you're describing. Perhaps I should get beyond my constraints and see what happens. Sound like an adventure.

Haha, Mark! The key to an organic approach is to never stop. Be forever curious. Don't put parameters on anything. Oh, and learning how to multitask with finesse is a must. Lol! ;)

Mark, I tend to analyze on my own but if I see something that really motivates me I'll spread it around to all of my friends so we can try to dissect it. Often the thing that impressed me in a clip is something that I don't know how to do myself, so I take it as an opportunity to pick the brains of people who know more about the subject than I do. Directors commentary or notation is also great for picking up tidbits, as others have said. Really, anywhere and any way you can take in new media and learn about the business is good, and if you find that something works for you, keep doing it!

My heart still stops and cringes when I took my kids to see Bad Boys.. I didn't realize they were shaming the crew with that title.

I write from the hip I go by Steven Spielberg advice.. Write the movie you would want to see. Now days I have a special talent.. Over empathy. GRRRR.

@Dan G. - I use the same approach. I do watch & review movies every evening. That's my movie watching time. But no matter when I watch them, I cannot help but review them. Seems to come with the territory :) And though I do learn a great deal, I still tend to sit down with 'Save the Cat!' and just write my stories as they come to me. That's the joy of writing, for me anyway. I've heard, over and over again, find your voice. I think that comes more readily from the organic approach you mentioned.

@Melissa Bonet - "WRITE THE MOVIE YOU WANT TO SEE" (Steven Spielberg) ... best advice ever! As for the 'over empathy', that sounds like a writers dream. Lots & lots of emotion to put on the page. How have you found it to be a stumbling block? I ask because I'm sitting here thinking ... wow, lucky you :)

I can read a bad or dull script but don't like watching bad movies. Problem is it seems to be getting harder to find recent scripts.