Script Gods Must Die - Latest Comments

Re: When Characters Don’t Change

Aaron — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:39:52 -0000

Thumbing through "The Hero with a Thousand Faces," by Joseph Campbell- the man who coined the term "Hero's Journey"- made makes a very clear distinction between The Call to Adventure and The Refusal of the Call, which has been merged together nowadays. He posited that a hero does one or the other, but nowadays it's like you can't have one without the other! But to Campbell, when a hero refuses the call, he refuses to grow, and everything he touches turns to poison, which can be fascinating to watch when done correctly. Tony Montana, Charles Foster Kane and the more recent Daniel Plainview- three men who build huge empires utilizing the same ruthless practice that earned them their first penny- fit this mold perfectly. Other examples could be Willy Lohman, Michael Corleone, and any number of Greek Tragedies.

The catharsis comes in when characters are given the opportunity or insight to take that other, nobler path, then turn it aside to hold onto their empire/delusions.

Re: Rule Breakers: Quentin Tarantino

anthony — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 06:51:22 -0000

he is by far the innovator buy the statement you made "he can only do it be cause he got the money or hes the director" bull shit plenty of other scripts are for the most part probably modeled after his tenner but dont get it twisted there are plenty of movies that the script is incredabley detalied camera angles fade close ups complety descriptive as well there are scripts movies with long dialog sences and intese action.
once again he does it like no other but please do not fool your self to think he is the one and only.

Re: Scene Workshop 1

Frank — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:11:48 -0000

This is a really great blog, Paul. Thanks for putting in the time to write it. I agree that it's so much easier to see the flaws in the other guy's script, and more difficult to see them in your own. It's hard to see the flaws when you love something (I love my scripts), and so that's why I used your services twice, and I have one more almost ready for you. Thanks again.

Re: Rule Breakers: Shane Black

Robert Dillon — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:56:51 -0000

Screw the rules and the gurus. If the script's good, the script's good. Don't be boring.

Re: Survival Strategies For The Unknown Screenwriter: Jane Doe Chronicles (Part 2)

Jumbo — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:16:55 -0000

This coming from Jimbo "the Wordsmith" who can't be bothered to differentiate between its and it's and who obviously didn't (or can't?) read the part about Niki Nikita. Ignore this bonehead, Mr. Peditto. Sorry you had to learn this the hard way.

Re: Survival Strategies For The Unknown Screenwriter: Jane Doe Chronicles (Part 2)

Jimbo — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:47:53 -0000

That movie looks like a piece of shit and its all the screenwriters fault

Re: Bukowski On Film

Testerz — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:02:51 -0000

Fuck all that "arty" bullshit. Alien rules. Now we know Bukowski had good taste in movies.

Re: Best Blogs: ScriptShadow

Martin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:09:34 -0000

I am a long time reader of ScriptShadow and I will concur with your recommendation. Carson Reeves is a Master script reviewer and I have learned so much from reading his blog over the years.

Re: Best Blogs: Chad Gervich-Scriptmag.com

Amy12 — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:43:12 -0000

Gervich should be questioned– Told students as a group they were all shit then turned around & tried to sell them a “TV Summit” that he runs at 400 hundy a pop. Never has been on staff as a tv writer, but teaches it somehow? IMDB him. Refuses to give written notes to students. Has screaming tirades at class.

Re: 14 Movie Themes That Work And Work

Abaiti — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:52:49 -0000

nice but very shot

Re: Testimonials

Drew Bryan — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 07:33:30 -0000

Pauls' $60 buck notes are a real-deal steal. How does he do it??? After ripping through my script with pin-pointed accuracy on all its faults, omissions, miscues and meanderings I got it all tidied up and now it's in the hands of a an Oscar-winning producer in LA. No shit. Thanks Paul, and see you in the New Year with my new script...best, Drew Bryan

Re: 14 Movie Themes That Work And Work

Ed — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:53:41 -0000

I like the breakdown, though it's abit subjective. There are lots of patterns, just see any of the material below:

http://www.clickok.co.uk/index... ;
http://www.wired.com/magazine/... ;
http://thebrowser.com/recommen...

Re: Best Blogs: WordPlayer

Naive — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:40:26 -0000

Is the site still functional? Can't seem to access it at all. Also, a quick note - "Pirates" the movie was inspired by "Pirates" the ride, not the other way around. That was one of the things that made the first movie such a surprise hit - who would have guess a movie based on a theme park ride would actually be successful?

Re: How did the Wicked Witch of the West shower?

Jeff Ruby — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:36:19 -0000

I always felt the same way about Double Indemnity. I mean, Walter didn't seem like such a bad guy -- maybe a bit of a horndog, at worst -- but an amoral man willing to commit murder? For a woman he just met, even if she is Barbara Stanwyck? It's like we're all supposed to go, "Oh, but that's the way it works in film noir! The temptress is so sexy she could get the hapless man to do anything!" But it's a conceit that just doesn't work unless he is painted as a weak person. In a modern version, we'd see him willing to do anything for sex, but in 1944, he did it just so he could flirt with a hottie, with the (maybe) promise of sex later? Doesn't wash.

Re: Five Thoughts For A Hot Summer

Mj — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:58:20 -0000

Ya MUST be good. You kept my attention, made me laugh, 'check myself for reassurance and found it. I even scoffed a little.
Have I wasted time? I think not...Now I'll open up my Scriptbuddy, yes Scriptbuddy account. It's all I knew when I started, so it served a purpose.
Happy Anniversary, that's the title. I'm not trying to get you to read it. It's got that word GOD in it, somehow I don't think it's your cuppa tea, but I do rubbish the Catholic Church a fair bit (:
Look, thank you, I mean it....all the "best" to you, you gave me some of it.
Margaret.

Re: Six Quick Tips To Not Lose The Reader On Page One

Mj — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:46:27 -0000

Aw you're good, you must be I'm tired.
I'm polishing a screenplay before it hits the Sundance competition.

Re: Format 15: Screen Direction: The Key Is POV

Mj — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:31:36 -0000

Thanks, you taught me something...I've been too slack with direction, 'trying to keep the screenplay short.

Re: The Fallacy of Resolution: Part 2

yahoo-6OYOQ773E6XFSCQM22FBOQKQQA — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:39:11 -0000

Very informative, thanks for the insights, I'll be tracking you now.

Re: Six Quick Tips To Not Lose The Reader On Page One

Thegrind — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:01:47 -0000

Can the protagonist be more than one person? ...two main characters with the same values/goals? Also, is 60 pages enough for a spec script?

Re: The Fallacy of Resolution: Part 2

Frankie Silva — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:54:01 -0000

I couldn't agree with you more. Tony is dead. I still remember what Bobby said on the boat when they were fishing.

Tony: What do you think happens when you die?

Bobby: Nothing. Everything goes black.

Re: Five Screenwriting Tips For A Hot October

Frankie Silva — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:35:05 -0000

In all honesty, Paul Bart was an okay movie. Button was slightly disappointing. I don't think it deserved an Academy Award nomination at all. It was different, but simply put...I agree. Far too boring for my taste. Blow some shit or something. Make it interesting. Even the part where they were at war wasn't entertaining enough.

Re: Five Screenwriting Tips For A Hot October

Frankie Silva — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:33:31 -0000

IN all honest

Re: Surivival Strategies For The Unknown Screenwriter: Selling Out Your Brother

Hilliard — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:07:05 -0000

Thanks Paul, a good lesson indeed. But I look at life as the mistakes you make are always lessons you later learn. Now you know how to handle this situation if you're ever in this position again. The important thing is this probably got you in the WGA and DGA. So now it's up to you use it and grow!

Re: Contact Us

Nikki — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:30:39 -0000

Hello, Mr. Peditto

I live in Chicago and would like to enlist your valuable services for an hour or two of screenwriting mentoring.

I very much require the guidance and feedback which a seasoned professional, such as yourself, can provide. I have not had formal screenwriting training, yet am attempting to transform my film ideas into some kind of "coherent" character-driven plot line (an incredibly daunting if not seemingly impossible task).

And, there is the rub (of the brick wall). Discouragement is becoming my ever constant companion.

Like the title of your website, by the way.

Regards, Nikki
nmontgomery1001@gmail.com

Re: Surivival Strategies For The Unknown Screenwriter: Selling Out Your Brother

Jilcrane — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:25:32 -0000

It all depends what you really want in life. Back then you thought it was about your loyality and your brother. You forgot it was really about your career. Thanks for a good lesson for us all.