Helping Screenwriters

Biggest thing this month is being in Tucson, AZ, to present Basic Screenwriting to a Writers Group. I've done this in the past, so it will be an exciting, renewed level of instruction for me. This group consists of Christian writers, but the basics of screenwriting remain the same, no matter the theme -- normally. We'll see. I will center much of my presentation on "Formatting." In other words, concentrate on the story for the reader. Many new screenwriters attempt to tell their story through Camera Angles, Cut To's, Fades, and such, instead of progressing the story for the reader. Most new screenwriters are doing spec scripts, so all of that gobbledy-gook is boring, and is not storytelling. Shooting Scripts contain that information, usually compiled by the Director, Cinematographer, Producer(s), and others who have familiarized themselves with the story, the scene, the location, and (ultimately) the cost. Much to learn. Stick to writing the story, not the directions.

Logan's Run/Oceans Eleven

I just Googled George Clayton Johnson, a revered short story writer. What an accomplished writer he is. I spent some of my most interesting time of my life with George probably in 1988, or so. He spoke to a very small group of writers who met at Warner Bros. studio at the time. We had been kicked out of NBC on Alameda Bl, in Burbank, because NBC initially thought we were all NBC employees in our writing group. That's how we got the name Alameda Writers Group, referred to as AWG. Look 'em up. A large group of very talented writers today. Anyway, George does not (or did not at the time) drive an automobile, so I picked him up at his home in Sunland on my way to the meeting. What a wonderful time. He spoke to us about writing. He didn't tout himself. No need to. He knows the subject. And what a background. He was a telegraph operator in the Army; I was a telegraph operator, too - for the Union Pacific Railroad in Nebraska. George wrote the first episode for the Star Trek TV series. He wrote a number of tales for The Twilight Zone TV series, and one of his stories was used in the movie. Why did I Google him today? Because I wanted to know what he's doing today. Also, I have an answer for one of the questions he asked me almost 30 years ago: Which is faster - Light or Dark? It took me 20 years to come up with an answer.