by Jenna | Mar 21, 2021 | ScriptMag Articles
Welcome to the first installment of my new “Ask the Coach” column on Script Mag!
This month’s question is specifically about the three-act structure in screenwriting:
“What I’m running into is the common criticism that my stories are not strongly three-act. They have a beginning setup, mounting problem, and ending resolution — good stories, I’m told — but tension doesn’t build in common cinematic form. Yet, I watch produced movies even less three-act structured. What am I missing?”
As your coach-of-the-moment, here’s how I’ll approach this question with you. Let’s look at the core components inherent in the question: how films get made (to address your comment about the produced movies), the source of the feedback, the value and strength of the three-act structure overall, and the impact of your own work.
“Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.”
— Neil Gaiman
For my full answer on three-act structure, how to look for a note beneath a note, and digging deeper into improving your next draft
Image by Lukas Bieri from Pixabay
by Jenna | Feb 23, 2021 | ScriptMag Articles
My new “Ask the Coach” column on Script Mag launched this week!
As a writing coach, I answer a lot of questions for writers about how to make the work of writing actually happen. As you may already know, I specialize in helping writers get out of their own way and back on track with what they were put here to do.
In this monthly column, I’ll be answering your questions, anonymously, about navigating the ups and downs of writing, being a writer, and living a writer’s life, specific to your unique circumstances.
This is a judgment-free, guilt-free zone. It doesn’t matter what you have or haven’t done, so far.
What matters is what comes next. Ask me your most pressing questions, and my goal will be to help find a solution that works for you.
For a sampling of topics writers often ask about and to submit your own question
read the article on Script Mag here:
Ask the Coach: Your Writing Questions, Answered
Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexels
by Jenna | Aug 21, 2017 | Science Fiction, ScriptMag Articles
A new article over on ScriptMag about Stasis with writer-director Nicole Jones-Dion.
Sci-Fi Circuit columnist Jenna Avery interviews writer-director Nicole Jones-Dion about her feature length film, Stasis, and her lessons learned for up-and-coming sci-fi screenwriters. [read more at ScriptMag]
Image courtesy of XLrator Media
by Jenna | May 31, 2016 | Science Fiction, ScriptMag Articles
A new article on the ScriptMag blog about making the most of sci-fi, with screenwriting expert Scott Myers.
In my ongoing quest to make my sci-fi scripts the best they can possibly be — and help you do the same — I reached out to Scott Myers to get his take on the best way to break into the sci-fi market as well as his perspective on places where he commonly sees… [read more at ScriptMag]
Image by prettysleepy1 from Pixabay
by Jenna | Jun 16, 2015 | Science Fiction, ScriptMag Articles
This is one of my favorite interviews, about the movie Time Lapse by Bradley King and B.P. Cooper over on the ScriptMag blog:
There’s a compelling new sci-fi feature out there right now you won’t want to miss, called Time Lapse. Co-written by Bradley King and B.P. Cooper, it’s a slow-burning thriller that hooks you with just the right touches of mystery, sci-fi technology (with a little steampunk flare), and engrossing complications that draw you forward to a surprising and intriguing climax… [read more at ScriptMag]
Photo Courtesy of XLrator Media.
by Jenna | Jun 17, 2014 | Science Fiction, ScriptMag Articles
A new Sci-Fi Circuit article over at ScriptMag drawing on insights from The Machine.
A sci-fi spec screenwriter in today’s market has a number of hurdles to overcome. One of the primary challenges we face is learning not only to master great sci-fi storytelling but also how to do so on a limited budget. Until we’re top-of-the-line, A-list writers, any big budget features we’re bold enough to write… [read more at ScriptMag]
Photo Courtesy of XLrator Media.
