Corey Mandell: Playwright, screenwriter and script consultant in Hermosa Beach, California.

I didn't make any of the ten mistakes, but I'm still sitting here scratching my head. So... why so many crappy movies (and TV shows) out there? Plenty got past with at least 5 of these!

Thanks for the tips. If I may make a few suggestions of my own... Looking over others' comments here, I see a lot of problems with simple grammar and punctuation. While not fatal -- Hemingway had horrible spelling -- one might consider that, when hiring a carpenter (say), you'd most likely want someone who'd mastered her craft. More troubling are those who, on the evidence, would seem unwilling to accept advice and/or take responsibility for their failures. Well, I gather we're all human, but then, we all have the capacity to grow. Pythagoras was once visited by a shaman out of the East who carried with him a golden arrow. The name of the shaman -- and that of his arrow -- translates as "Skywalker." In the 'Star Wars' movies, Luke is urged by Obi-Wan to "let go." And this advice also traces back to the prehistoric shamanistic tradition. This ancient counsel finds a modern expression in TS Eliot's 'Four Quartets,' where we're instructed to let go of all we think we know, so that we might achieve transcendence. I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope For hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love, For love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting. Wait without thought, for you are not ready for thought: So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing. Whisper of running streams, and winter lightning. The wild thyme unseen and the wild strawberry, The laughter in the garden, echoed ecstasy Not lost, but requiring, pointing to the agony Of death and birth.

I'm not by any way, shape or form a good writer. But what I do know is its hard as hell to break in the Hollywood, even if you have the greatest of ideas. So figure out a way to control your own destiny even if that means producing it yourself figure out how to do that, that is what I'm doing. So, for those of you who can write compelling professional conflict, I'm looking for help with my project please reach out if interested. Good luck to all of you in your endeavor. - Eddie B.

you are perfectly right. Writing a compelling screenplay is not an easy thing sleepless night and restless days, day to days week to weeks mount to mounts year to years checking through the internet downloading scripts and format online buying final draft all is to make sure you come out the best.You are great sir! keep the flame on... I like you.

I agree with you on this a 100%: 'Continuing to pound out script after script often ends up in nothing more than a pile of similarly flawed material.' Looking forward to coming up with that Professional Level-Conflict! because more than anything related to writing a good script, I am more interested in good, or exceptionally well thought conflict in a script. thanks a lot for the word of advice!

You know, I've sat in classes where folks always say things like this. But, the reality is that what gets bought and MADE are the formulaic scripts-In fact, a great majority of films these days fall into that category. And yell as much as you want, but I will stand by MY comment until the day I quit hearing how my writing is just "too different".

Great tips Corey! It took notes from an assistant to an agent and established producer for me to learn some of the points you make. Best to learn them now is correct. I am finishing up step three of the 4 steps! Rewrote two scripts after receiving invaluable feedback. I still have a few small things to learn before Number 4 but it is coming up soon. Thank you so much for the insight. Seeing lists like yours is a checklist for me. Each time I see the same points, I knew which ones I improved on and able to mark off.

Too much! Here's me desperately looking for free or affordable information on how to do this very difficult thing called 're-write' and here's Corey doing it on February 26....MY BIRTHDAY! Synchronicity AGAIN! Now, to see if I can access it for free via st32 somehow.....

Hi Corey. I just listened to the on-demand version of your Rewrite webinar and it has changed my life. I have some follow up questions, if that's possible. Thank you, again, for doing the webinar. I hope to see more of you in the Education section. - Anthony

I'll be sharing the stuff I learned working for Ridley Scott, Wolfgang Petersen, Working Title and others. Not sure if it's kosher to post the link here, but it's in the webinar section of the education menu. I've heard nothing but great things about the Stage 32 community and I look forward to getting to know some of you in the webinar, as well as here in the forums. --Corey

Excited to be doing my first ever Stage 32 webinar, How The Pros Rewrite -- Essential Rewriting Tools and Techniques -- on Thursday, Feb 26. I'll be sharing the stuff I learned working for Ridley Scott, Wolfgang Petersen, Working Title and others. Not sure if it's kosher to post the link here, but it's in the webinar section of the education menu. I've heard nothing but great things about the Stage 32 community and I look forward to getting to know some of you in the webinar, as well as in the forums. --Corey

Hey Corey, I'm the CTO and lead developer at Stage 32. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback about the site. I'd love to hear your comments! To get started with Stage 32 and understand all the features and resources the site has to offer, please check out the Getting Started section and our FAQ.

Hi Corey. I'm RB, Founder and CEO of Stage 32. As a screenwriter, producer, actor and filmmaker, I know first-hand the challenges all creatives face finding work, landing representation, launching projects, securing funding and simply making the connections that will make a difference in their careers. That's why I created Stage 32. Since our launch in September of 2011, the community has grown to 300,000+ members representing every country on the planet making Stage 32 the social network uniquely populated with the most creative people on Earth.

This is a network for you, built by you. Like most things in life, the more you participate, the greater the rewards. We ask all new members to pay it forward by inviting 5 fellow creatives to the network and by spreading the word of Stage 32 through other social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The more creatives, the stronger the network. The stronger the network, the more opportunities.

Thanks for joining the movement and for being a part of this most talented and inspiring community. I very much look forward to your contributions.

Thanks, and have a creative day!

RB

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