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

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

Thoughts on The Princess Bride

September 11, 2011September 11, 2011The Princess Bride

Firstly, let me say that the script is a great read. For those who have not read the script, Rob Reiner, the director, has perfectly captured Goldman’s words and story. A careful read of Goldman’s

The Princess Bride (1987 shooting script)

August 28, 2011August 28, 2011analysis, Beat Sheet, Save the Cat, The Princess Bride

After many days and months of neglect, the beatsheet for The Princess Bride is here. It is based off a 1987 shooting script I found at The Daily Script, a website that has a large

Prison Break: Season Two – A Retrospective

July 4, 2011July 4, 2011Prison Break, theme

SPOILER ALERT: There are events and relationships contained herein that you shouldn’t read if you haven’t seen Prison Break Season One or Two. In the very next episode after my prognostication about Shales and Mahone