A few things have triggered (what I consider) big leaps forward in my own writing and artistry, and one of them has been creating tools & systems that force me to divorce my output from my judgement.

Here are 3 that I use.

A fairly off-the-cuff screenwriting 🧵:

1/ #1 LISTS

I set myself a task and a target and don’t look at the ideas until I hit it.
- List ten ways this scene could start.

I might get more specific, depending on my needs.
-List ten shots this scene could open with.

2/

Good morning, screenwriters!

10 random tips for when you're feeling blocked with your latest script.

An off-the-cuff screenwriting 🧵: 1. Skip ahead (or behind) to a scene that you know a bit better.

Find the path of least resistance.

Alright, last one! Screenwriting 🧵 about differences I've noticed that seem to separate the pros

Aspiring/Emerging Screenwriter Missed Opportunity #10: Not providing context or "signposts"

A screenwriting 🧵: Ok, this might be the most controversial one. Or maybe it won’t. But I know that this took me the longest to “unlearn” because all the books and gurus told me not to do it.

🧵Unofficial Rings of Power/Lord of the Rings Reference Guide🧵

A collection of First, Second, and early Third Age references and connections in Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Part 2 - The The Two Towers: Firstly, if you haven't, I encourage you to check out the first two threads I did on Fellowship, as I'll be referencing a number of things I first mentioned there.

Part 1.1 is here:

https://twitter.com/145091095/status/1560673996844240902

Another 🧵 of the top 10 missed opportunities in scripts (that I observe) from emerging and aspiring screenwriters

Missed Opportunity #9: Not organizing or controlling information

A screenwriting 🧵: Do you know how many types there are of the iPhone 13?

Take a guess.

(A small promo for my new screenwriter support company Lighthouse)

It’s that time of year where all the screenwriting contest and comp results are coming in, and some writers placed or maybe even won, but many didn’t. This is for the ones that didn't. If you were rejected from a contest, competition, producer, manager, crush, etc you automatically receive 20% off any of my story services, including my new workshops.

On to 🧵 #8, with thoughts on what separates the pros in their screenwriting

Emerging Writer Missed Opportunity #8: Writing scenes that could happen offscreen

A screenwriting 🧵: Not every scene that moves the plot forward needs to happen on-screen.

The 7th 🧵 in this ongoing series of observations as a reader

Emerging Writer Missed Opportunity #7: Trying to cram everything in all at once at all times

A screenwriting 🧵: Many scripts I read have many good ideas, but it’s difficult to parse them out because they’re all competing for center stage at the same time.

What's the main focus of any given scene? Moment? I can't tell.

A quick 🧵 today with another aspect of writing that I occasionally see underutilized.

Emerging/Aspiring Missed Screenwriting Opportunity #6: not being specific enough

A screenwriting 🧵: First, the usual disclaimer:

These are my opinions and observations. Not trying to call anyone out, and there are plenty of reasons to ignore everything I'm talking about.

As always, just stuff to be thinking about.

🧵Unofficial Rings of Power/Lord of the Rings Reference Guide🧵

A collection of First, Second, and early Third Age references and connections in Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Part 1.2 - The Fellowship of the Ring: Disclaimers

This is just for fun and to put things in context for the non-Tolkien nerds out there
These are mostly from memory so forgive errors
Not affiliated with Rings of Power (but I am available for staffing if you need a Tolkien encyclopedia that also speaks screenwriting)

Emerging Screenwriter Missed Opportunity 🧵#5:
Not leading with images

A screenwriting 🧵: As with the others, these are just my observations and opinions.

For every example, there's probably another one that doesn't follow the "rule" for good reason.

I'm just advocating to be aware of those reasons, NOT saying you MUST WRITE THIS WAY!

On to leading with images!

Ever wondered where the Dwarves came from in Lord of the Rings?

A mini-🧵 on the Creation of the Dwarves in Tolkien's works: To understand it fully, you have to go way back to Tolkien's creation myth.

Eru Illuvatar created the Valar (lesser gods) through song. Yes, he sung them into existence.

And in that song they were also the instruments. So they both partook of and heard that song.

Trying to keep 'em coming, with things I notice in scripts I read. (And I read a lot of scripts)

Common Missed Screenwriting Opportunity #4: Withholding information

A screenwriting 🧵: As with the others, this isn't something that's in every script I read from emerging writers.

Only enough that I've noticed a pattern, so maybe see how it applies to your work.

It might not so don't force it, and don't overthink it.

What do I mean by "withholding information?"

Another 🧵 on the missed opportunities in scripts I read. Again, these are just my observations/opinions, not gospel.

Missed Opportunity #3: Not using design to tell story

A screenwriting 🧵: I’ve read many scripts that have wonderful characters, great plots, snappy dialogue and insightful themes.

And yet, one of the biggest tools was left in the toolbelt:

Design.

🧵Unofficial Rings of Power/Lord of the Rings Reference Guide🧵

A collection of First, Second, and early Third Age references in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Part 1.1 - The Fellowship of the Ring: Quick Disclaimers

- This is just for fun and to put things in context for the non-Tolkien nerds out there.
- These are mostly from memory.
- I'm not affiliated with Rings of Power (but I am available for staffing if you need a Tolkien encyclopedia that also speaks screenwriting)

As promised, I'm running through what I see as the 10 most common pitfalls in scripts I read from emerging writers.

Missed Opportunity #2: Not creating actual dilemmas

A screenwriting 🧵: Preamble:

I'm not saying I see these "mistakes" all the time, or that emerging writers are particularly egregious.

Most of what I read is truly fantastic.

I'm just saying, if there's something that isn't working, it's usually one of these ten.

Okay, on to dilemmas.

I've been screenwriting for 8 years now, a professional reader for the past 5, and a produced screenwriter for the past 3.

Over the next few days, I plan on doing threads on what I see as the biggest missteps in scripts from emerging (and sometimes pro) writers.

Here's 🧵 #1: Emerging Screenwriter Missed Opportunity 🧵 #1:

Forgetting to include emotional glimpses into characters

What do I mean by this?

Rewatched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon this week.

I watched it again the next day.

What an incredible piece of filmmaking. When I first saw it when I was younger, I thought Li Mu Bai was the coolest.

I completely missed the love story between him and Shu Lien, and never understood why Jen was so rebellious and petulant.

And I had no clue what the ending meant.

Was talking with some friends this weekend about reading a LOT of screenplays, and I thought it might be helpful to share some tips that have helped me get through a lot of scripts without burnout. Feel free to borrow what's useful. THREAD I read everything on my iPad. If I could, I'd print out every script, but it just isn't reasonable from a time or resource perspective. I can access scripts in my email, Dropbox, web browser.

Who loves Shakespeare?

Who wants to perform and talk about soliloquies?

A little thread about Shakespeare and why I love his writing, as explored, performed, and (attempted to be) explained by me. This is the first in what I'm calling the #ShakesMonologueChallenge
as part of my
#ShakespeareAtHome initiative to spread Will far and wide while we're all self-isolating. But more on that at the end.

Another little screenwriting thread:

My car is in the shop, so while I'm waiting, and thinking about writing, I thought I'd share some thoughts about "pre-existing relationships" & their value I was talking about this last week at a writer's retreat, and didn't get to dig in as much as I'd like, so I'm gonna dig in now, and we'll see what comes up. This is off the top of my head, so jump in and let me know your thoughts. Anyway here we go: