Ink2Screen's podcast

Enjoy the interview with August's winner Rachel Hughes. She is the first ever to win two challenges. 

Catch up with the winner of June's Challenge, Paula Wescott. She wrote "Building Bridges." You can read her winning submission at www.ink2screen.net/finalists

Check out the great interview with May's Challenge winner, Joseph A. Johnson. The next challenge is just a click away at www.ink2screen.net.

A three part mini-series on the Supporting Character. This week is all about the reflection character. Check out the free format pocket guide www.ink2screen.net/format July challenge is open now. www.ink2screen.net 

Get great tips on how to create a magnificently evil antagonist! Enter the next monthly challenge at www.ink2screen.net Download the newest free Pocket Format Guide at www.ink2screen.net/format See you on the page.

It is the 1 of 3 podcasts all focusing on characters. It is the protagonist. Learn how to make your protagonist engaging and exciting to watch on the screen. Download the free format pocket guide at www.ink2screen.net/format.  Join our monthly challenges at www.ink2screen.net. 

Here we start at the beginning. What makes the screenplay so different?  See the differences between novels, stage plays and screenplays! Download the Free Format Pocket Guide: www.ink2screen.net/format Get everything you need to write your scripts on any software.

A wonderful interview with screenwriter Shannon Brady, the winner of April's Challenge. You can read her winning submission, along with all the finalists, at https://www.ink2screen.net/finalists Also, don't miss out on the free Logline workbook and mini course. https://www.ink2screen.net/LoglineWorkbook  

Check out the latest interview with Writer Relief Winner, Todd Robinson. He wrote an awesome script called "Decline." Logline: When a worldwide epidemic sends humanity to the brink of extinction, twin sisters Cara and Mia seek solace in their family home. You can read his work and the work of the other Writer Relief writers at Writer Relief.

5 incredible tips to add conflict into your screenplays! Don't let your story fall flat. Check out further resources on these great sites;  Screencraft & Scriptmag

Another incredible interview with A.M. Massey as he discusses his production company 3rd Rail Films and how taking his short screenplays into production has improved his screenwriting. Check out his FB page: 3rd Rail Films  And his latest film "Up All Night" on YouTube.

A great interview with Ink 2 Screen's March Challenge winner, Mackenzie Marie Butcher. Winning Entry: "Glob's Painting." Logline: A little lump of paint journeys through his Painter's art in search of a home that will make him happy. Join the Private FB group for extra support at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/ 

New and seasoned writers struggle with finding the right voice for their screenplay! Listen for tips and what to do to change this.  Check out the next Ink 2 Screen challenge at www.ink2screen.net Websites where I borrowed some great examples: http://www.reelauthors.com/screenplay-coverage/screenwriting-present-tense-and-active-voice.php  

Check out the incredible winner of February's Challenge; Rachel Hughes. She wrote "Va." You can read her winning submission at www.ink2screen.net.  April Challenge is ready for registration.

Check out the interview with January's challenge winner, Andrea Goyan!  She wrote a provocative futuristic drama that captured the top spot for January. “The Coventry Women” Logline: Katian's unborn child possesses great powers which the child's father wants to usurp. Together with her sister, Katian seeks to protect her baby from unprecedented evil.

Finally a podcast about our monthly challenges!  Everything you never knew you wanted to know about our monthly challenges to get you to hone your writing craft. Check it all out at www.ink2screen.net and be sure to join our FB page for the most up-to-date challenge info and guidance: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/

It's all about revising your work. Check out the 7 tips to make revising easy. Read all the show notes at Page 28. Also, don't forget to join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/

Write a good antagonist for an even better script. Learn it all here. Check out the show notes at https://www.ink2screen.net/page27 Join our Facebook group to get in on all the fun: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/

Loglines VS Taglines! Learn everything about telling the difference between Loglines and Taglines. Be sure to check out all the details from the episode at: https://www.ink2screen.net/page26 Also!! Join our FB group for all the most up-to-date info on the challenge and things coming up: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/

A recording of the Facebook live on Jan. 19. Several writers had amazing questions about format. Listen for tips on how to format large aerial shots, going inside the human body, or tackling different locations.  Join our Facebook Group for all the LIVE videos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/

The interview with December's winner, Remi Savard. He wrote our first animated script titled, "Checklist." Logline: As the big day looms, the Elves scramble to 'Christmasize' the last stretch of the town still stuck in the Fall. Thankfully, Santa isn't the only one making a list for Christmas. Hear what the winner of the Ink 2 Screen monthly challenge had to say. Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/

The importance of conflict. Plot/storyline = brain  (intelligence of your script) characters/relationships = heart Conflict gives your story life and keeps it going. Check out this podcast and get conflict into your story. Check out www.ink2screen.net for additional info and a fun download.

Interview with Fiona Mauchline. The winner of November’s Challenge. She wrote “Two Dames Like Us.” Logline: An octogenarian Dame and her castle have both seen better days. Will her new carer chase more than the cobwebs away? Read her work at www.ink2screen.net

So here is the recording where I answered some more questions on formatting. Some great questions.   Montages, Voiceovers, and Character Descriptions, oh my!   Join our Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/  

Ask yourself 2 questions! Every script needs to answer these:  What does my character want? What is preventing them from getting it? If you ask yourself these two questions and they don't excite you, then how are they going to excite your reader? check out more info at www.ink2screen.net/page20 and check out the creator's work at www.ink2screen.net/amberbosworth    

Join in for a quick dialogue on Format. The bane of new screenwriters but it is nothing to be frightened of.  Answer questions from three amazing writers apart of the Monthly Screenwriting Challenges at www.ink2screen.net. Check out all the questions and screenshots of examples at www.ink2screen.net/page19. Also, feel free to join the Monthly Challenge Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ink2screencontest/ to keep updated of all the upcoming events and fun.

Today is all about the winner of October's Challenge, A. M. Massey. He wrote an incredible Horror Western that won the top spot for October. "Peace Town, U. S. A." Logline: With no presence of any law enforcement, notorious gunslinger, Billy Killman, enters Peace Town with the goal of robbing its bank. Billy soon learns the reason why the town does not need any sort of lawman to protect it. December Challenge is now open for registration. www.ink2screen.net

Check out the winner of September's Challenge: Haley Hwang. She is an amazing screenwriter. She wrote Body Double. Logline: A new underwater sculpture exhibit in the Atlantic Ocean attracts tourists from all over the world. But some of them won’t make it back.  Check out details on November's Challenge starting on the 15th at www.ink2screen.net

Catch the exciting interview with Slaton Boska, the winner of August's Challenge. He wrote, "Through the Sands" Logline: A little boy goes for a run down the beach, and finds more than he was looking for.

Check out my new interview with July's winner: Kevin Wilde! He wrote the best 5 page script for July and won a MasterClass with Judd Apatow. Check out his profile at www.ink2screen.net. September Monthly Challenge is open for registration now at www.ink2screen.net.

The next monthly madness is open for registration until August 15th. You can check it all out at www.ink2screen.net.    The next prize will be $150. June’s winner was Matthew Newton. He wrote an amazing 5 page script titled “This Just In.” His Logline: An anchorman gets breaking news stories only to find out that he is revealing the tragic moments of his own life.   He was joined by four others rounding out the five finalists. Kevin Wilde, Raymond Vogel, Kansas Starr, and Charlie Schulman! This was the best Writing madness yet. Don’t miss out on the next one.    Enter now at www.ink2screen.net.   Theme: 10 Classic Movie Themes Love Humanity vs Technology Sacrifice Good vs Evil Death Perserverance Coming of Age Family Drama Reason vs Faith Justice Theme, or premise. This can be the hardest thing to lock down and get into your script. You can have everything in your script. Amazing characters, incredible plot, wonderful scenes, great dialogue, perfect structure. but without a theme, it will always feel like something’s missing.   

Interview with May's winner of the Monthly Writing Madness.  Angi Mann Witch's Vengeance  She won $150, podcast interview, and a page on the ink2screen website.  July's Writing Madness is now open for registration at www.ink2screen.net.

This is part three of the 3 part series all about characters. This one will be pretty long but well worth it.   The last two weeks we talked about The Protagonist and The Antagonist and how important it is to create characters that are tied together and help move the story forward.   5 Major Character Archetypes Part 1: Protagonist Part 2: Antagonist Part 3: Love Interest, mentor, & Reflection   Today is all about the support system. Primarily the Love Interest, Mentor, and the Reflection.  

An in-depth look at The Antagonist.  This is part 2 of a 3 part series on the major character types for your screenplay.  5 Major Character Archetypes Part 1: Protagonist Part 2: Antagonist Part 3: Love Interest, mentor, & Reflection   Without action being met by reaction, there is no conflict. Without conflict, a writer has no story. An antagonist must be both engaging (forcing a protagonist to take action) and formidable (because the greater the challenge, the greater the victory). 

This will begin a 3 part series all based on characters. I wanted them to be cut down into these smaller areas because you don’t need every character in there and there are some things that you don’t want to miss out on.    5 Major Character Archetypes Part 1: Protagonist Part 2: Antagonist Part 3: Love Interest, mentor, & Reflection   Nowadays, it’s all about creating amazing characters. Everyone is looking for that “character-driven” story. Everything else can change, themes, gimmicks, popularity, but the one thing that will remain the same is that they want characters that stand out.The love of great characters will never change. This begins with The Protagonist.   Check out the next Monthly Writing Madness at www.ink2screen.net. The May winner will be announced tomorrow. Very excited. 

Here is the exclusive interview with R. J. Anderson. The winner of the Monthly Writing Madness for April. He talks about what he's working on and how he enjoyed the Monthly Writing Madness. Check it out here and check out his artist profile at www.ink2screen.net/rjanderson.  The Monthly Writing Madness has now opened for registration for June! Ready to be inspired and possibly win some money? Check it all out here: Monthly Writing Madness.

Welcome to the Ink 2 Screen podcast. I am your host, Amber Bosworth. I am the creator of Ink 2 Screen. A website and resource for beginning screenwriters that want free information and inspiration to help guide their writing. Plus we have monthly writing contests. Our next Monthly Writing Madness for June has now opened for Registration. Next month’s prize will be $150. Plus an artist profile on the website, your very own website link, and an exclusive interview on this podcast.   Now enough of that. Let's get back to today’s podcast. Today is all about The 3-Act Structure; The Film Paradigm. This is a basic overview of the structure that I have collected.   I’ve provided a great printout diagram of everything I’m brining up in this podcast. It is a collection of many sources. This is just a collaboration of things I’ve read and been taught through my schooling. I don’t claim any of it but doesn’t mean I’m not going to use it to help my listeners create amazing stories. Feel free to download and print it out at your convienience at www.ink2screen.net/page8. I’ll also provide the link in the show notes below this episode. This is something I’ve had pinned up in my office since I started writing.    Alfred Hitchcock said: “To make a great film you need three things – the script, the script and the script.”   Pages are all rough estimates.   Basic Film Paradigm made famous by Syd Field and then tweaked by many other gurus. The page count and percentage is based on a film of 120 pages. Act 1(Set Up)-25%/30 pages, Act 2(Confrontation) is 50%/60pages and Act 3 (resolution) is 25%/30 pages.   This includes the ascending action going all the way up through plot point #2 which begins the resolution or Act 3. Plot point is the turning point between Act 1 and Act 2. The descending action is just encompassed through just the 3rd Act. This is the basic film paradigm. And it was Aristotle that created the basic analysis here, simply put, it means any story has a beginning middle and an end.   For the sake of keeping this podcast short and sweet, I’m going to stick to one example to interweave into these acts: The Incredibles at 115mins, close to the 120 page form.   ACT 1: The Beginning/The Set Up pages 1-30 / 25%   1-10 pages: Ordinary world. This is from the previous podcast where you introduce your character and put in your Inciting Incident or Call to action. This is where it all hits the fan.    The Incredibles: 1-12 we get to meet Mr. Incredible and what a day in his life is like. Then on pages 13-15 we get the inciting incident that the super heroes have been outlawed. This forces our hero to go into hiding.   10-30 pages: Refusal of the call. We’ve all been there when we watch the hero reject what needs to be done. Of course, we have seen a lot of movies that this goes on throughout but this should be the main/strongest that it is. Because next comes crossing the first threshold by page 30. This is the Plot Point One / Turning point one / Awakening / The Point of no return. However you want to see it, this is it.   The Incredibles: This is a great example because Mr. Incredible refuses his new life. And by page 30, Mr. Incredible has gotten back on the wagon to saving lives. He listens to the scanner and saves lives in the burning building. Here is the first plot point because then we get pushed into the next part when he is recruited by Mirage.   ACT 2: Middle/The Confrontation pages 31-90 / 50%    30-60: include test, allies, and enemies. Mid point right near the middle. keep everyone locked in.   The Incredibles: By page 60, Mr. Incredible/Bob has defeated the first robot and is about to go on the next one. This will enter the next inmost cave where the true intentions of Buddy.   60-90 Approaching inner most cave. At the end, to transition to the resolution, is the Inmost Cave(Plot Point 2).   The Incredibles: By 90-100, the whole family has joined the fight to help save Bob.     ACT 3: End/The Resolution 91-120 / 25%   91-110: Final Push/Seizing the Sword   The Incredibles: The final push. The whole family have now gotten together to save the city against Buddy.    110-120: Return with Elixir   The Incredibles: Buddy is defeated and the family has found a new acceptance of their powers and family dynamic. They have created a new “Ordinary World” and then it breaks apart again giving us the Underminer. This gives us another glimpse of how the family dynamic has improved and they are working together.    I’ve attached the script so you can do your own evaluation. Reading scripts is a great way to learn and grow. You can also download this at www.ink2screen.net/page8   Now, remember, this is just a suggested format. Find what works for you. These are only guidelines. Take from it what you will because it does work but don’t limit yourself to just these guidelines. It is your story. Tell it the way you want but do it in a way to entertain.   If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe to it no matter where you are listening from. Also, if you really liked this podcast or hated it, leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. You can also find us under Ink 2 Screen.    If there is any topic you’d like me to talk about can contact me through the website or Facebook. And be sure to listen to next weeks episode as I interview Richard Anderson, the winner of April’s Monthly Writing Madness. It was a great interview and one that will give some great tips from someone who has won our Monthly Writing Madness.   Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.

Welcome to the Ink 2 Screen podcast. I am your host, Amber Bosworth. I am the creator of Ink 2 Screen. A website and resource for beginning screenwriters that want free information and inspiration to help guide their writing. Plus we have monthly writing contests. The May contest is officially underway! This month will be a prize for the Masterclass with Aaron Sorkin, writer of A Few Good Men, The West Wing and The Social Network. If you feel left out, there will be a brand new Monthly Madness in June with a hot new prize for the best script. You’ll have 5 days to write a whole new 5 page script based off an image that is selected and sent out on the 15th. A challenge for any writer, new or seasoned!    You can check it all out at www.ink2screen.net.   I’m also so excited to announce the winner of the April Monthly Madness, Mr. R. J. Anderson. He wrote an incredible 5 page script for the April Madness entitled The Last Straw. Logline: A mistreated shuttle mechanic finds liberation on the third worst day of his life. The image was of a shuttle launch to commemorate the very first ever Monthly Writing Madness. If you want to learn more about Richard Anderson, you can head to www.ink2screen.net and see the artist spotlight. Every month the winner will get a spotlight on the website, their own page via Ink 2 Screen for a year and an interview on this Podcast! Showcase your writing. You deserve it.    Now, on to today’s episode. Today is all about the First 10 pages! Hook em and reel em in.    The best part of a script and the most important is the first 10 pages. So much needs to happen. Think about the last time you were at a movie and we're sucked in by the very first 10 minutes. Think of how important it is.    This introduces your audience to the world you’re creating.    Things that must be done in those first 10 pages: Introduce the main characters Establish the primary environments and time period Convey a distinct mood or atmosphere Display the “routine” or “way of life” Provide any backstory *That is relevant* Introduce the antagonist   This is also a good time to know how you are going to end your story, this way you know what to indicate in the beginning. This will set it up for the whole rest of the story.    This is also where we need to have our inciting incident. If you missed out on Page 5, the Inciting Incident then I’ll do a quick review: "The inciting incident, also known as the catalyst, is the moment the protagonist’s world changes in a dramatic way.” You want to do this within those first 10 pages. Once as your world is established, you want to throw it in the wind! Chaos is what keeps your reader/audience hooked.   Now the first 10 pages are all the set up for your first Act. I will be going over the 3 Act structure in the next Podcast, so stay tuned! But those first 10 pages set it all up for the first act and lead to that first plot point, not to be confused with the inciting incident. So many things to remember. Almost something happening on every 10 pages.    Today was all about the first 10 pages. Just like these first 7 pages of these podcasts, it’s about laying the ground work for the awesomeness that is your story.   Now for some practical examples!! Haha. I have two examples. One movie I’ve seen many many times, so I know what they were going for. And the other example I have not seen the movie at all and just read the screenplay! But a lot of people have seen the movie. I have attached both scripts to the webpage at www.ink2screen.net/page7. I have the full scripts but for this episode, I’m only focusing on the first 10-11 pages. These are the finished scripts so they match the movies very well.   Toy Story! I know but it’s a good one. Even reading the script along with the first 10 minutes of screen time. Now try to think of the last time you saw this movie. The very first 10 minutes is all about meeting all of the characters. We go along with Woody and see what a typical day is like for him. By page 5-5 min mark, we get the inciting incident of Andy’s birthday party being moved to that day! This throws all the toys into a frenzy. Here is the conflict. But by this time we have already fallen in love with this character. We get to meet many of the great toys; Dinosaur, Bo Peep, Slinky, Mr. Potato Head. We are rooting for the character. And we can feel the strain with new toys coming in because we were all kids and we know what happens when we get a new toy.  This all happened in the first 10 min. I actually think Woody is his own Antagonist when he lets jealousy take him over and make bad choices. Sid, the horrible neighbor kid, isn’t introduced until later but it’s more about Woody and the struggle he goes through after Buzz comes on board.    So think of it, if you had never seen the movie, would the first 10 pages inspire you to keep going? This has it all and is a great example.    Now my second example is Bird Box. I never saw the movie but found the script online. This script captured me right away. It began right in the middle of things. This is another option to bring a teaser. Like some tv shows do, provide a teaser and go back to the beginning. It’s a good hook but only if done well, if not, it can come off as cliche.    Bird Box thrusts you into this world where no one can look. As an audience you are blindfolded as well and want to know how it turns out. I was hooked from the first few pages. There’s counting that gives a sense of urgency and puts you in a heightened sense of awareness right from the beginning. We don’t have the established world until page 6 when we get to know Malorie, and what her life was like before the blindfold and row boat. Five years earlier and she’s pregnant so more questions pop up. But even then we only get one page of normalcy before we learn a little more about what is happening to create the future of what we’ve seen.  We were introduced to the antagonist right away even though we didn’t see them. This is a great example of how to start in the middle of things and move back to the beginning of the story for clarity. It is a great hook and one that Bird Box did beautifully.     Now also, keep in mind that these are finished scripts so there are added elements that you shouldn’t worry about right away, like “begin and end titles” and any shooting instructions.   This has been a quick look at the first 10 pages and why they are so important. Now take the time to go back to any of your projects and make sure those first 10 pages are strong and reel in your audience. That’s it for this episode. Be sure to go and get the scripts at www.ink2screen.net/page7 and comfortable with your beginnings.   If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe to it no matter where you are listening from. Also, if you really liked this podcast or hated it, leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. You can also find us under Ink 2 Screen.    It’s still just Page 7, so if there is any topic you are just itching to learn more about, let me know. You can contact me through the website or Facebook. And be sure to listen to next weeks episode as I introduce you to the 3 Act structure. Certain guidelines to remember but aren’t written in stone. You don’t want to miss out on that.   Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.

Welcome to the Ink 2 Screen podcast. I am your host, Amber Bosworth. I am the creator of Ink 2 Screen. A website and resource for beginning screenwriters that want free information and inspiration to help guide their writing. Plus we have monthly writing contests. 5 days left to enter the one for May. This month will be a prize for the Masterclass with Aaron Sorkin, writer of A Few Good Men, The West Wing and The Social Network. Enter now by the 15th for a chance at this great prize. You’ll have 5 days to write a whole new 5 page script based off an image that is selected and sent out on the 15th. A challenge for any writer, new or seasoned!    You can check it all out at www.ink2screen.net.   Today’s topic is all about dialogue! This is what truly sets screenplays apart. In books, we can get into the minds of the character. We understand how they are thinking and why they do certain things but in a script, we have to show that through action and dialogue. I’ll cover action in a later podcast but for now, I’m going to focus on dialogue because it really is the bulk of your script, or in most cases it should be, unless your Tom Hanks on a deserted island but even then he had to talk to something. “Hey, Wilson!”   Now dialogue could be covered in several podcasts. Today will go over some quick tips on how to make great dialogue, things to avoid, and a few great tips on how to improve the dialogue you already have. More techniques and practices will be delved into deeper in future podcasts.    Dialogue must serve 4 basic functions: To move the story forward To reveal aspects of character not otherwise seen To present exposition and particulars of past events To set the tone for the film Check out the rest of the notes at www.ink2screen.net/page6  

What is the inciting incident? The inciting incident, also known as the catalyst, is the moment the protagonist’s world changes in a dramatic way. I love to think of it as the point of no return.   Another thing to remember is that the inciting incident should only be a page, no more than two. This is something so quick, thinking it of the first point of acceleration in your story. A quick burst of speed or power that gets your characters at an even plain of turmoil or action. This is quick.    The inciting incident is also the first part of the rest of the story arch, something that I’ll go over in more detail in a future podcast. What do your characters want? What might prevent them from getting it? So many people forget about the inciting incident or mistake it for the climax. It is important to create a compelling and incredible inciting incident within the first 5-10 pages of your script. This literally sets the stage for the whole story. If you inciting incident is not believable then what inspires your characters to go on the journey through the rest of the script.    Examples: Titanic - Old Rose seeing her drawing on the television. This is what inspires her to call and then tell her story. This is the beginning of the entire movie and we go on this journey because we want to know how her picture was found after so long! We are locked in at this point. Harry Potter - Harry receives a letter from Hogwarts but his Uncle refuses to give it to him. This peaks our interest as well. Harry’s world turns completely upside down from the moment he sees the letter from Hogwarts and we are locked in to the ride with Harry and his friends. Avengers - The tesseract starts acting up. Up until this point we have been introduced to all the heroes but something big has to bring them all together and it started all with that bright blue box.  Lord of the Rings - Bilbo gives Frodo his ring and Frodo must take the ring away. They don’t know what they have to do yet but it starts the whole journey that will bring them Mordor. Breaking Bad - Walter White gets cancer. I know this one was fairly easy but this inciting incident had to be so great to inspire five seasons and 62 episodes. This is a great one that drops away later by smaller inciting incidents but this is the beginning.  **Or one that is really popular right now…Game of Thrones. What was the inciting Incident? One could argue that it was Ned Stark getting beheaded but it actually started right in the beginning with the death of the previous King’s Hand that made Ned go to King’s Landing and then another inciting incident when Brand was pushed out of the window. These two incidents pushed multiple character storylines into action. It’s hard with a show like that, they have so many storylines to follow that of course they would have more than one inciting incident.    Will your protagonist succeed? And the answer should not be clear at this point. If we all know the answer then your audience may not stick with you through the journey. Create high odds that will bring it to a great climax that will keep your audience guessing.    Think about it. When we are first entered into the story, it is in balance. We are shown the happy (or sad) medium that our characters have gotten used to.  From the previous examples:  Titanic - Brock Lovett is in the midst of searching for a diamond. He is happy in his knowledge of the Titanic, he has one goal. Old Rose is happy in her life until she sees the drawing and changes everything. Harry Potter - Harry has gotten into a routine with his horrible family but this is the life he has accepted until the letter comes flying into his home. Avengers - This one isn’t the best example because we are thrown right into the fight. There is no balance. Which is how Avengers grabs us from the first minute. Lord of the Rings - does a great job of introducing us to the beautiful life of the Hobbits. This also serves to show what is in danger. There will be so much loss if Frodo fails. That was the perfect beginning. Because we knew who we were rooting for right from the start. Breaking Bad - I think we all felt for Walter from the very beginning. We went along with him to the two jobs he didn’t like up until he finds out that he has cancer. Another punch to push the protagonist into action. Game of Thrones - Life at Winterfell. We meet all the siblings and get a taste of their life before the events happen that separate them all one by one. What can we learn from this? Create a world of balance and throw it into chaos. Sometimes the greatest swing of the pendulum will result in the greatest story. So don’t let the inciting incident slip through your fingers. This is all about the first 5-10 pages. Grab your audience by the short hairs and make them pay attention. Don’t let them stop reading or watching.    This has been Page 5 of our podcast and rightly so! We’ve only scratched the surface of screenwriting. There is much more to come. And stay tuned as we get closer to announcing the winner of the April Monthly Writing Madness. I’m so excited. The winner will be getting $150, an interview on this podcast, and a profile on the website. Registration for the next Monthly Writing Madness is now open. It’s all about writing those first 5 pages. Practice makes perfect. Let's see what you can do. You can enter at www.ink2screen.net.    If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe to it no matter where you are listening from. And you can also find us on Facebook under Ink 2 Screen.    Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.

Welcome to the Ink 2 Screen podcast. I am your host, Amber Bosworth. I am the creator of Ink 2 Screen. A website and resource for beginning screenwriters that want free information and inspiration to help and guide their writing.    You can check it all out at www.ink2screen.net.   Today is all about Character Development. We will go over why it’s important. The character arch and then a great exercise to help find your characters voice.    You can get all notes at www.ink2screen.net/page4 and I’ll post the link in the show notes below this podcast. This’ll be a quick podcast, with some quick tips to help your characters on the page. with a nice little exercise that can really help when you are looking for inspiration.   We are asking our audience to go on a journey with our characters for 90-120 minutes. And sometimes so much more if they decide to watch over and over again. I’m revealing a big secret about me. I have seen Titanic, in a movie theater, 18 times! And it wasn’t just the appeal of the ship or the beautiful Leonardo Dicaprio. It was Kate Winslet. I felt for her character more than I knew at the time, being only sixteen years old. As I’ve gotten older, I realized more and more how much I loved that character. That is what had me spending over 54 hours, just in a theater, with her character. I want to write characters like that. Ones that speak to people on levels they haven’t even discovered themselves yet.   Be sure your character is likable early on. The audience needs to connect to your character very quickly. Attention spans have only gotten shorter which makes that connection so vital and needed quickly. You can have a “bad” guy but still make him likable. Dexter, the main character and a serial killer is only relatable because he has a code and kills murders. Most of us can connect with that deep dark desire to punish the guilty. Think of characters that you love. Why do you love them? What keeps them so alive in your eyes? These are the things you want to keep in mind when you are writing your story. Build realistic and detailed characterization. Characterization is so important. You want your characters to be realistic and have depth of character. If not, they will be flat and boring. You’ll lose your audience in a heartbeat.  If the character is really good then they will make their own decisions. It will write itself. As decisions present themselves, your characters will have built such a life that it will come so easy. Dialogue, Dialogue, Dialogue.  A great obstacle many writers face, myself included, is finding the voice for each character. I would go back and read my dialogue, only to find that each of my characters sounded a like. That can be easy to do because we write what we know. It’s important to give each character their unique voice. Help can be by putting yourself in the characters shoes. Being an actor can greatly help this.    There are so many characters that can benefit from this technique.   Finding your character’s voice. Without having a wall with a yarn spider’s web around it. This technique was given to me in one of my master’s classes. Create a pinterest board for your character. Just try it. For any character. Are you having a problem with your antagonist? Maybe he/she sounds too much like your protagonist. Create a board just for that character. What would that character choose? Clothing, food, hobbies, silly cat videos?      The fun exercise. Do this as soon as you can. Do it for every character or just for your main characters. This will give you richer and deeper characters to help find their voices.    A quick recap! Things to focus on to create a well developed character: make your character likable early on, build realistic and detailed characterization, let the characters make their own decisions, create great dialogue, and try putting yourself in your characters shoes.  And please, give the exercise a try. Create at least one Pinterest board for your main character. See if this helps. Some people also create journal entries but for me, I enjoy the visuals that Pinterest creates. It really does paint a picture of my character in my head which also helps create that depth on the page. And that is what you want for your reader and audience.    Another reminder that the May Monthly Writing Madness has now opened for registration. This month the grand prize will get entry into the Masterclass with Aaron Sorkin. Aaron Sorkin wrote his first movie on cocktail napkins. Those napkins turned into A Few Good Men, starring Jack Nicholson. Now, the Academy Award-winning writer of The West Wing and The Social Network is teaching screenwriting. In this class, you’ll learn his rules of storytelling, dialogue, character development, and what makes a script actually sell. By the end, you’ll write screenplays that capture your audience’s attention.   It includes 35 video lessons, 38 page workbook, and the ability to learn anytime, anywhere. This is the prize for the May Monthly Writing Madness. Starting May 15. 5 days to write 5 pages, $15 entry fee and the chance to win the Masterclass, a profile on ink2screen website, and an interview on our podcast. Head on over to www.ink2screen.net to enter the madness now.     If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe to it no matter where you are listening from. And you can also find us on facebook under Ink 2 Screen.    Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.

I Know I was supposed to talk about character development but I wanted to take a moment and talk about the short screenplay contest that we host every month. We are now day 3 into the very first Monthly Writing Madness competition. It is a small group but I am so excited to get the great screenplays written by our contestants.    This competition will be every month on the 15th. I love alliteration. 5 days to write 5 pages for a change to win $150 all for the low entry fee of $15. Plus 25% goes right to the International Child Art Foundation, which I will bring up later on in the podcast. Competition has done so much for so many people throughout the ages. Just think how the Olympics were able to create peace time among waring countries, if only to come together and show their best. The same can be done with writing. As writers, we get so stuck in our heads. The characters, the words for bar/restaurants, or even the damn dog that is the favorite of our antagonist. We get lost in the details and that amazing story we’ve been waiting to write for years gets pushed to the back of the drawer.    I believe that competition can help break through that barrier. If not to help with your current project, than to inspire something completely new. Stop for 5 days, and write something that will get you out of your comfort zone. Get back to the story! Since we are into the competition, I want to bring up how competition can truly inspire you. This is the main reason I started these monthly competitions. I’m going to share how I got the inspiration. This is from the last blog I wrote. You can find it on www.ink2screen.net I also want to talk about the amazing charity that 25% of all proceeds goes to. International Child Art Foundation. You can look them up at www.icaf.org.

Loglines   What is a longline? “A one or two sentence encapsulation of your story. It highlights character conflict and those aspects of your piece that make it unique.”   I was so thrown by this concept when I started! How the hell was I supposed to funnel my 120 page screenplay into two sentences? And it’s something I still struggle with today.   Loglines have to answer certain questions “What’s the hook?” “Does it have audience appeal?”   Remember;  Concept is your greatest ally.   Some other things to ask yourself as you are writing the logline: What is the crux of your film? Is the concept clear and easily understood? Does it suggest the largest conflict in the film? Does it suggest your cast of characters? What’s unique? What may be familiar to your audience? What is easily marketable about your film? What is the dynamic action of your film?   Sometimes it helps to think of it as a one line premise.    What has worked with me now is trying to write the logllne first and it’s a very, very short outline. Your main character is there, the conflict and what makes it unique.   Some Logline examples: And I just stole these online. But it’s important to show how easy it can be sometimes. Once we hear these loglines, it’s like, why the hell didn’t I think of that. It is also something that can help producers sell your movie. Get that elevator pitch down. How will you sell your script without pulling out your 2 page synopsis? Create an amazing longline!    Good ones:   "A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.” SILENCE OF THE LAMBS   "Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.” THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION   "Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after becoming infatuated with his daughter's attractive friend.” AMERICAN BEAUTY (This one adds the actual name. This is a personal preference. But it does take up space in those two sentences. It is just as impactful to start right off with “A Depressed suburban father…”)   "An insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soapmaker form an underground fight club that evolves into something much, much more.” FIGHT CLUB   "A high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine in order to secure his family's future.” BREAKING BAD   Now some example of bad ones:   GRADUATE  - A college graduate, home for the summer, has an affair with the wife of his father’s business partner, then falls in love with her daughter.    DENNIS THE MENACE  – Comic strip moppet plays pranks on Mr. Wilson.   EDWARD SCISSORHANDS  – A suburban mother brings home a freaky young man who has scissors instead of hands.   I think it’s so important to practice this, so every screenplay that is entered into the Monthly Writing Madness will require a logline right on the title page.    I’ve added a great exercise in this weeks freebie into the show notes. There are great questions to ask of your script. Not only will it help create a logline but it will also help your script as a whole. Because if you can not answer these questions for your logline then how is your full script fairing? So use this exercise for your logline and a quick examination of your script as a whole.   If you are just starting out and this concept intimidates you, there is a great formula that I was taught when I got my Masters.   Write down the protagonist, setting, problem, antagonist, conflict and goal. Then put it down into the the logline as such:   (Protagonist) in (setting) has/did/was (problem) caused by (antagonist) and (conflict) as they/he/she can (goal).    Work on this simple technique until you become confident with your own logline ability. I still use this to get the first logline out and then tweek it to fit what I was really wanting to say. I’ll be adding this technique into the freebie that you can find in the show notes and also at www.ink2screen.net/page2.      Now the 4 things to avoid doing when writing your logline. A logline is not a tagline. The tagline like In space no one can hear you scream!” This does not a logline make. Follow the steps above to create the best logline for your movie. Avoid the cliche as much as possible. Cliches are vague and do not provide the unique quality that only your script has. Questions. Do not ask questions in your logline. The logline can keep the reader guessing but don’t ask them the question. Let them wonder and want to read more. Keep it simple, stupid! Some writers go on and on. One to two sentences is all but that does not mean to create an eight line run on sentence. Strip it down and throw it out into the world.   Avoid these 5 things and you will be ahead of the game.    That is the crash course on loglines. If you want practice, take the Logline action guide from the show notes and practice writing a logline for your favorite films. How can you get it down to the bare bones.   Next week we will be in the middle of the first Monthly Writing Madness competition and it will be a great time to talk more about character development.   If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to subscribe to it no matter where you are listening from. And you can also find us on facebook under Ink 2 Screen.    Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.

Who am I and What do I do? I am Amber Bosworth. I have a masters in creative writing for media and I was all ready to move to LA and follow my dream but one fun night at a Comic Con and I had my beautiful baby boy. I moved to the Northern Midwest to be near family but refused to let my dream of writing go. I write every day and could not find a place great for Midwest or any other region besides LA or NY for screenwriters.    Our journey has led us straight to screenwriting.   Title pages! It is so important to make a great first impression. Be sure you have everything done correctly and simply. Check out the website www.ink2screen.net/page1 for all of these notes PLUS the Title Page Quick Guide.   12 days away. Monthly Writing Madness. Registration now open. 5pages, 5 days, $15 buy in and a quarter goes to charity. Every 100 people that enter the prize goes up by $100 starting at $150.   I always found that competition inspired some crazy ideas.     Be sure to check it out at the website: www.ink2screen.net and subscribe to this podcast for weekly tips. This will also be the place to meet the winners of the monthly writing madness. A chance to get more tips from great writers.   If you want to hear about the next episode or future episodes, be sure to subscribe. You can also check us out on Facebook or Instagram.   Well, time to go. Hope to hear the furious scratch on the paper or the gentle tapping of a keyboard. Until next time.