Margie Walker: Screenwriter in Houston, Texas.

Greetings! Allow me to introduce myself -- my name's Mike Thompson, veteran Hollywood writer/producer of feature films, Dragonfly, starring Kevin Costner, and Love Happens, featuring Jennifer Aniston. I also co-created the FOX television series, John Doe, and have written and produced indie film and award-winning documentary features as well. In addition to my produced credits, I've written and sold dozens of high-profile spec scripts, pitches and teleplays to nearly every major Hollywood studio, including multiple seven-figure deals and at one point, the “highest-paying scripter deal ever" ~ Variety. I've collaborated on projects involving the likes of Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Will Smith, Edie Falco, Chris Pine, Richard Gere, Michael Keaton, Academy Award-winning director Robert Zemeckis, and blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

In my role as a Script Consultant and Screenwriting Coach, I'm always looking for better ways to appeal to and provide value for my potential clients. So, aspiring screenwriters out there, I ask -- what are you most in need of help with (ie. loglines, structure, pitching, finding representation, etc.) and how do you prefer to receive said help (ie. webinars/workshops, e-courses, Zoom consultations, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for those that might take the time to respond!

~Mike

Hello, Screenwriting Lounge! Nick Phillips here! Make sure to set your clocks, reminders, alarms whatever you have to do to remind yourself to tune in THIS Wednesday April 3rd at NOON PST. This is a special time slot for this week only and it is FREE TO ALL! I will be breaking down the epic, amazing OSCAR-WINNING OPPENHEIMER script written by Christopher Nolan. You don't want to miss this! It'll be a great glimpse into the Writers Room, I think you all will get so much out of the experience. An excellent chance to see what it's all about!

EDIT: But in order to join this special webcast, YOU MUST REGISTER BEFOREHAND! Simply click this link to sign up and you'll receive the email with the link to join the zoom before the webcast on Wednesday >> https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JyN3PS7oSYebRbsb1RdWzg

Come study this script with us, get YOUR questions answered by an accomplished producer, and find out why this script and story took Oscar season by storm!

We're taking questions from the audience - POST THEM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

Most screenplays and films sag or bore.

There are many reasons for this disaster but often the cause is the script lacks a theme that we deeply care about. Resonant themes cause audiences to empathize, feel, and come back again.

Imagine watching Titanic without its ideas of love and sacrifice. Or Shawshank Redemption without its message of hope. High Noon or The Fountainhead sans a dramatization of integrity. Or Top Gun: Maverick void its theme that the individual is the cause of success and not the machine.

Without such big personal themes these blockbuster films would have little meaning, depth, or emotional resonance. Theme is intrinsic to the premise of each of these films. Theme is in the DNA of the characters and events of these films.

The integration of theme and plot is vital to creating a compelling screenplay. It is also one of the hardest writing skills to learn. Those creatives who have mastered the fusion of theme and plot are the pros who can deeply move audiences with their stories.

The Solution

How can a storyteller integrate theme and plot?

Many years ago, I learned a simple technique of how to focus a theme into the central conflict of a story. This technique was recommended in an excellent lit class that became this book by philosopher Leonard Peikoff.

The answer is:

A Thematic Conflict Statement.

A Thematic Conflict Statement (TCS) is a three-word version of the theme in conflict form. (A TCS takes the form of Theme A vs. Theme B, or, for example, Individualism vs. Collectivism.)

There are three levels to the main idea of a story. The broadest level is the theme, the abstract meaning of the story. The most concrete level is the premise (or logline), which captures the main conflict or action situation of the story. Between these two idea statements sits the thematic conflict.

Let’s show these abstract ideas as applied to three classic films.

But first:

When analysing the three statements for each film try to see how they are same idea but on different levels of abstraction or conflict. Try also to see how these three statements get more conflict and action focused as they move from theme to premise. And see how the TCS is a conflict bridge between theme and premise.

Here we go:

Top Gun: Maverick

Theme: It is the individual, not the machine, that is vital to success.

TCS: Technology vs. Individual.

Premise: An aged but brilliant and individualistic fighter pilot trains America’s best young combat pilots to use older planes to carry out a dangerous mission against a nuclear facility whose high-tech defences make it impossible to strike and return from alive.

Shawshank Redemption

Theme: The importance of keeping one’s hope alive during adverse conditions.

TCS: Hope vs. Despair.

Premise: When a hope-driven accountant gets wrongly convicted for murdering his wife, his stout optimism gets supremely tested by extreme inmate violence and a corrupt warden hellbent on exploiting him.

Casablanca

Theme: America should give up its isolation and join the war.

TCS: Isolation vs. Involvement

Premise: During World War Two, a cynical American saloon keeper in Casablanca refuses to be involved in the war but the woman who betrayed him and whom he still loves challenges him to end his bitter isolation by saving her husband, a freedom fighter against the Nazis.

Note also that these three statements are short so they can easily be kept in mind. And, as noted, remember that each statement captures the essence of the story on a different but related level.

Actionable Writing Solution

The complete article with the Actionable Writing Tip is available on my Story Guy Newsletter. .

I am excited to announce my collaboration with the talented screenwriter Quentin Yung. We connected here on the Stage 32 platform recently and I happy to say that I have optioned one of his amazing screenplays. The journey begins!

Maybe we can meet up at Scriptwriters Houston or for coffee sometime this year. Much success to you!

I'm considering self-publishing my sci-fi adventure novel on Amazon. I've turned down five indie publishers because they required a percentage of film/tv rights but none of them had ever sold properties to a studio/network nor produced any of their books. Any writers out there in the Stage32 universe used Amazon to publisher their novels? How was your experience?  Any tips?  

Hi All it's Andre' again, as we all know all 3 unions will be negotiating soon and we are all going to feel the bad and the good of these times.. Since I have no control over that or it's time to resolution what I can do is share with you some tools that might help you. I teach branding at a design college in LA (FIDM) and what I teach my students is branding is not only critical for your products/services but your personal brand as well.

You might have heard the term Brand Mantra or Brand Essence. It's a phrase that summarizes what is the core or essence of a brand. So my "homework" assignment for you is what is the " core or heart & soul"? of your personal brand. When someone sees your name on your twitter/instagram/facebook pages what do you want people to think? I suggest a 3 word format BrandMantra/Essence in this order, Adjective, Adjective, Noun. For example a group thought Madonna's essence would be " audacious sexual chameleon" What would yours be? " cool sophisticated writer" ? Happy Branding Yourself!

Your friend in the struggle.

I quit my job to put down some of my ideas because it was nearly driving me crazy lol. I know, in this economy, it was probably not the wisest thing to do....but, I'm sane, I'm happy & my storytelling skills are improving. I write across all genres; but mostly thrillers, I'm currently writing my first sci-fi script & it has been challenging; I love it! Although, no one told me how impossible it'll be to get someone to even look at your script, but, nothing good comes easy, right? It can be quite lonely as a writer, especially if you're doing it full time, because no one can see your mind and all the beautiful stories that live within, so they can't fully understand when you try to explain your vision to them. I really hope I get to tell my stories, at least one before I die, it'll be a shame if no one sees them come to life. Well, I'm glad I found a community of like minds on this platform, here's to telling stories & staying sane

Just want to post what a wild week it has been for me. Not to brag but to thank the community for all the support, advice, and encouragement through the year. This week: 

I met with the Director and Producer on a Proof of concept film that will be produced in 2022.  

I met with the DP and Producer on a short film I wrote and am directing in Feb 2022

And I am in the top three for production selection at Get it Made for another PoC on my Feature Film A Girl to Love.

Whoo! 

An inspiring piece. Pitching has always given me the heebie-jeebies. I definitely plan to try pitching this year. Thanks for sharing.

This inspired me.

Come to Houston Scriptwriters, Monday, July 18@Montrose Center, Please. If not, contact me. I'm not sure if putting email addresses is ok, but if you respond positively here, I'll recheck.

Come to Houston Scriptwriters, Monday, July 18@Montrose Center

Just watched Jeanette Millio’s presentation on How yo Write A Budget for TV Series. Originally I didn’t think the information would be useful but thankfully my curiosity has proven how invaluable the information is to feature writing as well. Loved it!

I've been writing Yoruba Dance Dramas, with the focus being on the Orisa of the Yoruba Pantheon. Orisa worship is a West African tradition born in Nigeria and Benin (Dahomey).

The beauty of it is that there is an abundance of material to be incorporated in the works. It has allowed me to enjoy a modicum of success on this genre. The advantage that I have is my insight into the nature and myriad proclivities of the Orisa, because I'm a practicing initiated Babalorisa of the aforementioned tradition, and have been divining and working in this discourse for thirty years. We grow up in the West, learning about Greek and Roman deities. If we're lucky and curious we might discover the Gods of the Norsemen and the Celts. The traditional spiritualities of Africa are relatively unknown and thought to be irrelevant to the Dominant Culture. It has been challenging and I making it happen by consistently engaging people.

Congrats and good luck on your book!