by Jenna | Nov 30, 2021 | ScriptMag Articles
A new article over on Script Mag with my key takeaways after viewing time-travel romance Needle in a Timestack through the lens of what can be learned from both a storytelling and structural standpoint.
1. Begin with a compelling, personal, emotional opening
2. Study the art of efficient explainers
3. Explore big ideas in a personal context
4. Don’t let time travel questions unravel the story
5. Reckon with universal themes
6. What stories do we want to tell about women?
7. A different take on a villain
[read the article on Script Mag]
Image courtesy of LIONSGATE
by Jenna | Feb 3, 2021 | Final Draft Articles
‘Psycho Goreman’ Is a Wacky Homage to Campy Sci-Fi Monsters
An article over on the Final Draft blog with PG: Psycho Goreman writer-director Liam O’Donnell about his writing process, how he spends time on the visual aspects of his stories, and making monsters and aliens galore — all on a meager budget. [read more on the Final Draft blog]
Image courtesy of RLJE Films
by Jenna | Dec 30, 2020 | Final Draft Articles
A new article over on the Final Draft blog with five screenwriting takeaways from 2067 to draw on as you craft your own sci-fi scripts.
1. A compelling “what if” premise
2. A hook that keeps your audience wondering
3. Global and personal stakes tied together
4. A time travel explainer moment
5. An inevitable but surprising and satisfying conclusion
[read more on the Final Draft blog]
Image courtesy of RLJE Films
by Jenna | Dec 23, 2020 | Final Draft Articles
5 Screenwriting Takeaways
A new article over on the Final Draft blog with five takeaways sci-fi screenwriters can draw on in their own scripts from Breach, a sci-fi space thriller in the vein of the original Alien and The Thing — but with a twist.
1. Sci-fi is a flexible ‘reality’ genre
2. Ordinary characters in extraordinary circumstances come with a built-in character arc
3. A-list actors lend credibility to a film
4. Tie the global stakes to personal stakes
5. Your title makes a promise to the audience
[read more on the Final Draft blog]
Photo courtesy of Saban Films
by Jenna | Dec 18, 2020 | Final Draft Articles
An article over on the Final Draft blog with writer-director Liam O’Donnell about how his film Skylines breaks barriers when it comes to writing sci-fi with heavy special effects for the big screen, and also bends a few trilogy story conventions as well. [read more on the Final Draft blog]
Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment
