5 Actions Screenwriters Can Take To Get A Jump Start On The New Year

I wish all of our loyal fans a Happy Holiday Season, and hope that you find great inspiration for developing an exciting screenplay in 2014. A career in screenwriting can be a difficult path to take. Some screenwriters have ideas that just pop out of their heads, but have trouble honing them into a workable script. Others manage the finer points of scriptwriting, but can’t find the spark that makes their characters come to life. Bringing all of these writing skills together can be a challenge, but there are some steps you can take to give yourself the edge. Here are my five suggestions for actions you can take now that will help build your skills and get you started on the path to bringing your screenplay to life in 2014:

1. Be Observant: Some of the greatest characters on screen seem so realistic because of some unique personality quirk or heroic trait the screenwriter has given them. As you go about your daily life, be observant of the people around you, take note of their personality traits, and write down those characteristics which you think could help you develop the story line in your screenplay.
2. Learn The Basics: Since very few of us are born with the art of screenwriting inside our brain most of us need a little help to nurture our skills and build our creativity. Be aware of opportunities to build your skills, like those available through the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. They offer online and onsite writing courses, master classes, screenwriting resources, and a Writers Studio.
3. Learn The Industry: Learn from those who have already achieved success in the industry you hope to pursue. There are TV writing consultants, screenplay consultants, and romantic comedy screenwriters who can all serve as a source of knowledge.
4. Use Your Resources: Many websites offer a list of screenwriting resources you can use to find additional information.
5. Read More: My book, The Story Solution: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take, provides many insights aspiring screenwriters can use to hone their craft. I’ve provided the tools necessary for any writer to construct a forceful emotional ride in his or her storytelling.

As my holiday gift to you, download a chapter from my book, The Story Solution, so you can learn more about the HERO GOAL SEQUENCES that make compelling characters come to life. While at my website, also be sure to sign up for my newsletter which provides tips, resources, insider info, and news you can use.

Happy Holidays and here’s to your writing success in 2014!

About The Story Solution:  The Story Solution was written by accomplished screenwriter Eric Edson. It reveals the 23 actions used to create dynamic, three dimensional heroes and link all parts of a captivating screenplay. Eric covers screenwriting tips, screenwriting resources, and screenwriting books. Visit the website and Facebook page.

Death threats and denial for woman who showed college athletes struggle to read

(CNN) -- The death threats, Mary Willingham expected.

More shocking is that the University of North Carolina is now disavowing her research as a whistle-blower -- research that showed between 8% and 10% of the school's football and basketball players are reading below a third-grade level.

UNC issued a statement Wednesday night saying it did not believeWillingham's account of a basketball player who could not read or write.

It went on: "University officials can't comment on the other statistical claims mentioned in the story because they have not seen that data. University officials have asked for that data, but those requests have not been met."

As well as questioning UNC many times about the story before publication, CNN has also detailed Willingham's research.

And purported e-mail exchanges obtained by CNN since August show that Willingham did share her findings at least twice -- once with Executive Vice Provost James W. Dean Jr., and once with a member of a university committee on academics and athletics.

In addition, Willingham says her research on the students in the athletics programs that make money for the university was done based on screenings that the university itself paid for. And, she says, she has gotten permission from the university several times since 2008 to access those findings to continue her research.

"It's already available to them," Willingham said. "It's in their system. ... They have all the data and more. It belongs to them, and they paid a lot of money for it."

Last year, when CNN asked UNC for comment on Willingham's research, officials initially denied knowing about it, and said: "Such analysis is not part of her job duties at the university."

Then, after being shown the e-mails, a spokesperson admitted that Willingham did share her findings and did have permission from the university to do the research in the first place, and said a meeting with Willingham was being scheduled.

Apart from Wednesday's statement, UNC has not responded to CNN's request for an explanation.

In the meantime, Willingham said she has heard from one branch of the university -- the Department of Public Safety.

Since CNN's report, Willingham said she's gotten four death threats, and more than 30 other alarming messages.

"Not people who disagree, people who put in the subject or body (of the e-mail) straight-up hate speech," she said.

But there have also been notes of support from several other academic advisers around the country, Willingham says, and they make it worth the trouble.

"I've been getting more and more nice notes from high school teachers and literacy specialists across the country saying 'Thank you.'"

A formal incident report hasn't been made yet, but university police said: "We are looking into it and making effort to reach out and investigate the nature of the threats."

"It's really OK," Willingham said of the threats, "because I'm telling the truth."

Source: CNN.com

Pre-Oscar Smack Down Session – Will You Be Ringside?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Los Angeles, CA January 20th, 2013 - Screenwriter and university professor Eric Edson will be joining the authors of Michael Wiese Productions for the annual Pre-Oscar Panel at the Writer’s Store in Burbank, CA on March 1st, 2014 1:00PM to 2:30PM.

In this lively discussion moderated by Matt R. Lohr, MWP authors will discuss top picks for Oscars in all major categories.  On the panel with Eric Edson for the March 1st festivities will be Steve Kaplan (The Hidden Tools of Comedy), JM Evenson (Shakespeare for Screenwriters) and Carole Kirschner (Hollywood Game Plan).  

Michael Wiese Productions is the number one publisher in the world for books on indie filmmaking and screenwriting. The MWP Facebook page announces new releases, contests, and workshops every day, LIKE the MWP page for updates.

The Writers Store is located at 3510 W. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505.  Join the fun and make your predictions for FREE at The Writers Store on March 1, 2014.

ABOUT ERIC EDSON: Eric Edson has written seventeen feature screenplays on assignment for companies including Sony, Warner Brothers, Disney, CBS, and Showtime, as well as writing for episodic television.  He is author of the book “THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take,” and Director of the Graduate Program in Screenwriting at California State University, Northridge.  Follow Eric Edson on Facebook for screenwriting tips and resources.