FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Full Disclosure: There’s nothing in my head! But that’s a good thing, because writers are the only ones in Hollywood who create something from nothing. And I, for one, have a vast amount of nothing to share with you. Thus, from the void between my ears springs this blog on writing for animation and live action. A blog not just for writers but for producers, directors, animators, storyboard artists, VFX specialists and even studio execs (but not agents), because the single most important creative element of any production is its story, and for a production to be successful everyone must make sure its story is as good as it can be. And to make my blog as good as it can be I welcome your input. Email me at Blog[at]JeffreyScott.tv.

Jeffrey Scott has written over 700 animated and live-action TV and film scripts for Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, Universal, Paramount, Columbia, PBS, Sesame Workshop, Marvel, Hanna-Barbera and others. His writing has been honored with three Emmys and the Humanitas Prize. He is author of the acclaimed book, How to Write for Animation. To learn more about his craft and credits visit his website at www.JeffreyScott.tv.

GOT A RESEARCH QUESTION? ASK GOOGLE. GOT A STORY QUESTION? ASK YOUR MIND!

By Jeffrey Scott | Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 3:56 pm | Blog: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Posted In | Blog Categories: Writing Tech | Site Categories: Business, Cartoons, Education and Training, Films, Internet and Interactive, Television, Writing

Every screenwriter is born with an amazing writing tool. It’s called the human mind. But if you don’t know how to use it effectively you could be wasting a lot of creative potential. I’ve found a special way to resolve creative story problems that I think you’ll find very useful...

WISH IT WASN’T SO DAMNED HARD TO WRITE A GREAT SCREENPLAY? WISH NO MORE!

By Jeffrey Scott | Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 4:13 pm | Blog: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Posted In | Blog Categories: Writing Tech | Site Categories: Business, Education and Training, Films, Technology, Television, Writing

REVIEW: THE "CORE ELEMENTS METHOD"
SCREENPLAY STRUCTURE COURSE

I’ve been writing for decades and have been steeped in screenplay writing techniques from McKee, Truby, Field, Vogler and others. But I just discovered a screenplay structure course that makes it easier, faster and more enjoyable to write much better screenplays.

WRITE SCREENPLAYS THAT COMMUNICATE!

By Jeffrey Scott | Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7:00 pm | Blog: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Posted In | Blog Categories: Writing Tech | Site Categories: Anime, Cartoons, Education and Training, Films, Television, Writing

The secret to great screenplay writing is keeping it simple and visual. Words can be your friends as well as your deadliest enemy.

Here’s a short tip that will improve your writing with every word you don’t write...

DRAGON AGE: DAWN OF THE SEEKER - WRITTEN BY JEFFREY SCOTT

By Jeffrey Scott | Monday, October 24, 2011 at 12:58 pm | Blog: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Posted In | Blog Categories: Monkey Business | Site Categories: 2D, 3D, Anime, CG, Films, Games, Home Entertainment, Television, Writing

• SNEAK PEEK! •

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of working with Chris Moujaes, the Director of Original Entertainment at FUNimation Entertainment, and producer April Bennett on Electronic Arts/Bioware’s CG anime feature film, Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker.

THE FUTURE OF ANIMATION

By Jeffrey Scott | Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 11:51 am | Blog: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Posted In | Blog Categories: Monkey Business | Site Categories: Cartoons, CG, Education and Training, Films, Internet and Interactive, Technology, Television, Visual Effects, Voice Acting, Writing

As we face an uncertain jobs market, many of you are asking yourselves 'What does the future of animation hold for me?' To see what lies ahead, one only need look to the past...

How To Flush Writer’s Block Down Your Mental Drain

By Jeffrey Scott | Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 1:26 pm | Blog: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Posted In | Blog Categories: Writing Tech | Site Categories: Books, Cartoons, Education and Training, Television, Writing

There is no precise definition of what writer’s block is.

Most likely, it’s just the terror of staring at a blank page or screen and thinking that the next words that come out of your cranial matter have got to be Oscar quality.

Whatever it is, it’s really not that hard to handle.

Over the years I have found three effective ways to get past whatever is blocking my creativity...

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

By Jeffrey Scott | Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 3:06 pm | Blog: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Posted In | Blog Categories: From the Hollywood Trenches | Site Categories: Business, Cartoons, Education and Training, Films, Television, Writing

©Disney PIXAR

Write me the next “Toy Story”!

Oh, and did I mention there’s only $25,000 for the script?

I’m going to use this post to vent a little—but also to make a point specifically for the benefit of all the producers around the world who want to make animated features.

The First 10 Pages: How to Hook the Audience

By Jeffrey Scott | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 10:38 am | Blog: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

Posted In | Blog Categories: Writing Tech | Site Categories: Cartoons, Education and Training, Films, Television, Writing

Ever get a big fish on the line only to have it get away before you could pull it into the boat? You probably didn’t set the hook.

Rule #1 in fishing: set the hook!

The same is true in screenwriting, only you’re not trying to hook a fish, you’re trying to hook the audience. You don’t need a fishing rod, you need ten great pages.