Make Movie Magic

“So, what’s your favorite movie?” he asked.

“Oh, I would say—“

“Yeah, well,” he interrupted.  “That’s kinda impossible, huh?”

“Nope, it’s easy — 1976’s ‘Network.’”

Honestly, there are many magical movies I love, but this black comedy struck gold as it satirized a flailing network’s entertainment division taking over news programming.  The movie features great relationships and compelling action, plus it tickled me with its famous line — “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

With powerful players like Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch and Robert Duvall led by director Sidney Lumet, the finished product crackles with focused energy.  Still, it all began with the magician who conjured these characters and tightly wrote the layered story: screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky.

Movie’s magic is collaborative, starting with the secure scaffolding of a screenplay upon which other artists – actors, directors, cinematographers, costumers, set designers, etc. – build their work to create the final product.

If you want to learn this writing trick, join my screenwriting class.  Have fun learning the secrets of combining dialogue and visual imagery in this unique format.  Begin construction on your screenplay, pitch your treatment, then write and revise opening scenes.

Imagine being asked to pick your one favorite movie someday and choosing the one you wrote.

Screenwriting Workshops are offered seasonally; more info here.  Skills can also be acquired through private coaching; more info here.