K-Tock's Korner - Thoughts on screenwriting and the movies

Picture It

January 28, 2012January 28, 2012logline, poster

I subscribe to the Raindance newsletter and in an email recently there was a link to a series of posters for modern movies, reinterpreted as if they had come out many years ago. Check it

Writer’s Store Tip: Don’t Break the Chain

January 19, 2012January 19, 2012don't break the chain, tips, writer's store

For a couple of years I’ve been recording the time I spend working on screenplays. It is a way of keeping me aware of how much (or little) I’ve been working, and on what projects.

What Are You Saying?

January 14, 2012January 14, 2012swearing, vocabulary

I had a movie binge over the recent holiday period. I was staying by my sister’s house for a couple of weeks, as the whole family was there preparing for my Grandma’s wedding (You’re never

New Year’s Resolutions

December 31, 2011December 31, 2011goals, resolutions, screenwriting

The end of another year. This has been the year I have least worked on what I have wanted, which is why I am making employment changes (per an earlier post)… For 2012, I resolve to

Winners and Losers

December 22, 2011December 22, 2011antagonist, goals, protagonist

The protagonist’s goal. I think everyone would agree it is central to a story’s success. In previous scripts I’ve thought about how the protagonist can win – that is, what specific action/event let’s the audience

The More Things Change…

November 21, 2011November 21, 2011ambition, comfort zone, goals, perspective, sacrifice

There’s nothing like a birthday to put things into perspective. Especially when there’s a 3 in front and you’re used to seeing 2s. I’ve been thinking for a while, now – the last couple of

Between a Rat and a Hard Place

October 23, 2011October 23, 2011character, function, plot, Ratatouille

I vegged in front of the TV last night, spending the evening watching Ratatouille followed by Shooter. Ratatouille is another in Pixar’s fine collection of animated masterpieces which had me laughing out loud a number

Second Marza Story Circus Competition

October 15, 2011October 15, 2011Competition, Marza Story Circus

The Marza Story Circus Competition is running again, and they’re looking for entries. If you’ve got a high-concept story to develop into a feature length animated film for family audiences, then head on over to

Booster Rockets

October 9, 2011October 9, 2011Booster Rocket, Save the Cat, The Shawshank Redemption, The Usual Suspects

Recently, I was reading the scripts for The Usual Suspects and The Shawshank Redemption, two of my favourite movies of all time. Both shared a technique mentioned in Save the Cat, called a Booster Rocket.

My Fellow Australians

September 26, 2011September 26, 2011Motion Media Group, opportunity, screenwriting

For those who may not get the MovieBytes newsletter, I saw this in there. If you’ve got a great idea for an animated film, send it along. Writers Wanted: Motion Media Group Motion Media Group