title

It’ll be here before you know it!

Maximum Z community, film, genre, logline, networking, proofreading, screenplay, screenwriting, script, social media, television, title, writing , , , , , , , , , ,

Just one week – seven days, and counting – until The Maximum Z Winter ’24 Script Showcase goes live.

Are you a screenwriter or TV writer with a script you’re just itching to show the rest of the world? Well, this is your chance to do exactly that.

Bonus – it’s FREE! Won’t cost you anything to send in the basic details about your script. But hurry – the deadline to do it is Thursday, December 5.

Then on Friday, December 6, a list with all the scripts will be posted. A link to that list will be posted on various social media platforms. If your script is among those listed and you want to spread the word about it, you can copy-and-paste the link and post it on all of your platforms.

Everybody wins.

Here’s the Winter ’23 edition to give you an idea of what it looks like.

The more eyes we can get on this, the better.

And if somebody wants to read a script, each writer’s email is included in their listing, so an interested reader can contact the writer directly and ask.

Here’s how it works:

Email the following info here with the subject line “Maximum Z Winter ’24 Script Showcase”

-Film or TV

-Title

-Writer(s)

-Genre(s)

-Logline

-Awards (if applicable) – limit of 5

-your email

That’s it.

And three very important details to keep in mind:

-ONLY ONE SCRIPT PER PERSON

-DO NOT SEND THE SCRIPT!!

-PROOFREAD YOUR EMAIL BEFORE SENDING! Is all the info correct? Any typos? How it’s written in your email sending it in is how it’ll be listed in the post.

Previously-listed scripts are okay, but new scripts are always encouraged.

Why am I doing this? I’m a big believer in networking and helping out the writing community. I don’t have much pull or influence within the industry, but wanted to do something that could help writers, and this seemed like the most practical way.

Did I mention it was free?

Once again – the window to send in is between right now and Thursday, December 5. Daily reminders will be posted during that time, but isn’t it better to just take care of it RIGHT NOW?

Thanks for sending in!

T-minus 2 weeks and counting

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The sending-in of info about screenplays and TV scripts continues as more writers want to be included in the upcoming Maximum Z Winter ’24 Script Showcase.

Lots of interest being generated and excitement levels continue to grow, and there’s still 2 weeks to go until the Showcase goes live on December 6.

Here’s how it all works:

The Showcase is a big list of information about spec screenplays and TV scripts. Each listing features the basic details about each script (see info below), including the writer’s email. That’s there in case you’d like to ask them about reading it.

More than a few writers who’ve already sent in appreciate the opportunity to put their work on full display. I’m all about helping out others, and this seems like a fun and effective way to do that.

Bonus – it’s free.

Once the Showcase is up, I’ll do what I can to help spread the word about it, and hope you do the same – especially to shamelessly draw attention to your script being included.

If you want to have your script included, here’s what you need to do:

Send the following info here:

Film or TV?

Title

Writer

Genre(s)

Logline

Awards(s) – if applicable; 5 at the most

Your email

TWO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DETAILS:

–Only one script per person

–DO NOT SEND THE SCRIPT!

I’d also like to stress the importance of proofreading your info before sending. Typos are sneaky little devils that show up when you least expect them – especially after the fact, so double- or triple-checking is highly recommended.

Previously-listed scripts are okay, but new ones are encouraged.

A few writers have asked about short scripts. Those are okay as well.

The deadline for sending in is Thursday, December 5, so don’t put off sending in until the last minute.

Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got.

From the archives: Because ‘Journal of the Whills’ just doesn’t cut it*

Maximum Z animation, Back to the Future, Chinatown, comedy, determination, Die Hard, encouragement, fantasy, Harry Potter, ideas, perseverance, persistence, rewriting, screenplay, screenwriting, script, Star Wars, swashbuckler, title, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
How DOES it look on a marquee?

As part of the ongoing rewrite of the animated fantasy-comedy, there have been more than a few suggestions to come up with a title of stronger significance and impact. While I struggle with that latest wrinkle, here’s a post from waaaay back in February of 2013 about the same situation with an earlier script. I eventually did come up with one, and am confident I can do the same this time around.

In the meantime, enjoy this blast from the past.

*the original title George Lucas had for STAR WARS. Not as good, right?

After reading countless spec titles in places such as The Black List and Done Deal Pro, I’ve come to the conclusion that my script really needs to undergo a name change.

DREAMSHIP

It sort of just…sits there, when instead it should be grabbing your attention and making you think, “Cool! I’ve gotta see this!”

Examples: BACK TO THE FUTURE. CHINATOWN. DIE HARD. See what I mean? Solid. Succinct. To the point.

I may go back to the original title – THE AMAZING DREAMSHIP ADVENTURE. It feels like it does a better job of conveying what the story’s about and what kind of ride you’re in for, but I wouldn’t put it past me to try and tweak it a little more.

It was also suggested that since this is more of a family-oriented kind of story, I should go the HARRY POTTER route and include the main character’s name. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Having a good, strong title is key because it and the logline create the first impression. Do an effective job with that and you’ve got their attention. Just make sure the script/story can hold onto it.

A little re-educating never hurts

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I’d already been working on the new spec for a bit when a friend offered up the chance to be a beta tester for his new screenwriting course.

It offers a lesson a day to help you get your first draft done. He admits the course is geared more towards newer writers still learning the ropes, but thought I might enjoy it – as well as provide feedback about my experience with it as needed.

I figured “Why not?” and signed up.

Just a few days in and I like how it’s going.

I’m following the lesson plan, which so far has involved the very basics – What’s your idea? Which genre is it? Tell us about your protagonist. Do you have a few ideas for the title? What’s the logline?

It would be really easy to blow all this off and just jump ahead, but I said I’d adhere to the guidelines, so that’s what I’m doing.

In some ways it’s helping take some of the pressure off and avoiding the trap of the whole “just write it!” mindset. Taking it nice and slow, and being slightly more reflective than usual is reaping some benefits. Getting the more manageable tasks out of the way has also resulted in a few more bursts of creativity – which is especially helpful as I continue to work on coming up with story ideas.

It’s almost zen-like in the approach.

I also like the accountability factor. It’s great for me to work on this, but I want to help my friend make the course as effective as I can, which is why I’m being diligent about completing each day’s lesson. I’d call that a win-win.

This is a 60-day course, and I’m still in the single digits and about to get into the outlining phase. Like I said, I’d already been working on this, so I have a lot of the first act in place – it’s the second act that’s proving to be the challenge.

But I’m not stressing about it. One lesson/task a day equals slow but continuously steady progress.

If things work out the way the course intends, then I should have a pretty solid first draft in just under two months, which is fine by me.

Then the rewrites begin, which will probably a totally different course.

The gears they are a-turnin’

Maximum Z community, concept, creativeness, development, enthusiasm, excitement, ideas, plot points, scenes, screenplay, screenwriting, script, spec, title, writing , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Another shorty today, but it’s a good ‘un

Still trying to figure out the story for my new spec, but it’s slowly coming together. Will probably take longer than I’d like, but making a point to not rush through this.

Got the concept, a few scenes and plot points in place, and I know the ending.

Bonus – placeholder title replaced with something better/stronger. For the time being, anyway.

Now I just need to focus on everything else and I’m all set.

Easy peasy.

Taking a few days off from the daily grind, so next week’s post will most likely be out of the archives, but the creativeness never stops.

Later, gators.

-Also wanted to express a huge thanks to all my writing chums who helped me navigate my way through a rough week. Consider me thoroughly grateful for all the ongoing support & encouragement.