Writing movies that matter

One of the quickest ways to get a handle on your screenplay is to purchase scriptwriting software. The Writers Guild Foundation is hosting a screenwriting workshop on June 6 at The Writers Guild, West in Hollywood. It's called WRITING MOVIES THAT MATTER and there will be lots of opportunity to purchase scriptwriting software.

Here's a clip from a similar WGA/WGF event (an annual affair called BEYOND WORDS) where writers take the stage and talk about what they know...





Writing Movies That Matter is all about thematic issues - something you don't automatically get in a software package (unless you're just incredibly astute). The cost is $150 to the public, $125 for WGA members and $110 to full-time students with I.D. This gets you in and includes a light breakfast, lunch and a wine and cheese mixer in the evening. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a Saturday.

There will be several top screenwriters and producers on the panel including Paul Haggis, Tom Shulman and Nathan Kahane. The Writers Guild Foundation is a non-profit so the money goes to support the foundation and pay for the cost of putting on the program.

Of course, there IS a commercial counterpart...The Writers Guild Foundation has partnered with Write Brothers Inc (the company that produces and sells the best script writing software currently on the market). They're a little pricey at around $250 but well worth it. It's not just a template anymore. Now there is a built-in "mentor" (aka StoryGuide) that guides your through the writing process.

Sound hokey? Think again. This may be the ultimate in formula but it's giving the reigning mammalian story gurus like John Truby and Robert McKee a run for their money. Here are a couple of clips from McKee's story seminar to give you an idea of what to expect there.






Oops, Bob that was the Bible not Shakespeare. Anyway, when I was at Disney, the company paid for the three of us in story development to take Robert McKee's class. It was terrific. There's a reason he's got a rep for being the best. Fortunately, you don't have to choose. You can avail yourself of everybody's ideas. For a taste of how Dramatica Pro works, click here for free tutorials.

The tutorials are a great way to see how the software helps writers think through their ideas from concept to finished screenplay. It's amazingly well done. And no, I'm not affiliated with anybody involved in the moneymaking end of the equation. It's just a cool event that will be fun and the software is brilliant.