Hollywood Screenwriting Coach Truby’s 25th Anniversary Celebrated Worldwide
Hollywood Screenwriting Coach Truby's 25th Anniversary Celebrated Worldwide
Truby's Writers Studio, based in Los Angeles, is celebrating their 25th anniversary. Founder John Truby has taught his 22-Step Great Screenwriting course to more than 30,000 students in a dozen countries and developed a number of teaching techniques and products geared to the professional writer.
Truby just inked a deal with the St. Petersburg Univ. of Film and Television in Russia to conduct his two-day Screenwriting Masterclass to groups in St. Petersburg and Moscow. They also have exclusive Russian rights to sell Truby's wide array of screenwriting classes on CD and DVD and his award-winning Blockbuster software and add-on genre programs.
John Truby explained, "In my work with studios overseas, I'm seeing more demand for professional training for screenwriters. Now that hit movies are released simultaneously in every country, filmmakers are aspiring to write a worldwide blockbuster." In addition to classes, Truby consults with many studios overseas, including BBC in the U.K., RAI in Italy, Studio Canal in France, and MTV Sweden. Truby continued, "These studios have discovered, as Hollywood has, that hit films worldwide are not star driven, they are story driven."
John Truby is regarded as the serious writer's story coach and has taught his 22-Step Great Screenwriting and Genre courses to sold-out audiences. Truby continues to serve as a story consultant to the major studios, including Sony Pictures, HBO, Disney Studios, Alliance Atlantis, Cannell Studios, BBC, MTV Sweden, RAI in Italy, and many others. Truby's best-selling book, The Anatomy of Story (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux), newly out in paperback, has received glowing reviews and is used as a textbook at film schools across the country.
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Screenwriting Your Way To Hollywood
Screenwriting Your Way To Hollywood
Throughout filmmaking history screenwriters have used many methods to achieve success in Hollywood. Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, 1989) easily gained access to Hollywood as the daughter of stage and screenwriting team Henry and Phoebe Ephron. Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, 1999) juggled many jobs and wrote for the T.V. series, "Get a Life," before catching the attention of producer Steve Golin. Alan Ball (American Beauty 1999) chose a different path; he first worked as a theater producer and writer. Producers Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner invited him to Hollywood because they both saw the debut of Ball's hit play, "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" at the Manhattan Class Company Theater.
While Hollywood screenwriters have their own success stories, they also share strong work ethics and know how to foster vital business connections. This article examines how current Hollywood screenwriters Dan Bucatinsky and Tim McCanlies learned from their predecessors' habits and how they jumpstarted their writing careers.
Dan Bucatinsky is a talented and disciplined writer who broke into the Hollywood scene in 2001 with his romantic comedy, "All Over the Guy." A 1987 graduate of Vassar College, Dan took advantage of his education and worked diligently to learn his craft and develop a unique style. His time spent writing countless papers, stories, and scripts in college attributed to his screenwriting excellence. When he returned to Vassar in 2004 to advise aspiring screenwriters Dan emphasized the importance of writing everyday.
"Even when I draw a blank, even when I don't feel like working, even when nothing I put down on paper is any good...I force myself to write for at least a couple of hours everyday," Dan revealed.
This discipline is a trademark of successful Hollywood screenwriters. According to Dan, a writer's willingness to push himself can prove more significant than raw talent. There are many naturally gifted writers; what distinguishes a great writer from a good one is the technique they have gained through careful study and years of dedication.
Several helpful books exist for writers seeking guidance as they try to develop their skills, including, "Crafty Screenwriting" by Alex Epstein, "Adventures in the Screen Trade" by William Goldman, and "Secrets of Film Writing" by Tom Lazarus. Dan Bucatinsky and countless other screenwriters rely on these resources to craft innovative, creative screenplays. These resources can be bought at any bookstore or online at www.StoryScribe.com (http://www.storyscribe.com).
Like Dan Bucatinsky, Tim McCanlies (Iron Giant, Secondhand Lions, Dancer, Texas Pop. 81) gained attention for his artful writing. He nurtured his natural writing talent by practicing and revising scripts when he wasn't working at odd jobs to support himself.
In 1979 he published his first novel, "Harlem," and enrolled in the Sherwood Oaks Experimental College to further study writing techniques. While in school Tim simultaneously excelled in his classes and completed a screenplay based on his novel. His hard work paid off: college founder Gary Shusett noted Tim's diligence, read the screenplay for Harlem, and helped to get the script optioned by Interscope.
In a recent interview Tim revealed that he still writes everyday and added that "the key to good writing is to focus on developing strong, interesting characters." He stressed the importance of building up a writing resume, encouraging aspiring writers to embrace all learning opportunities including internships and jobs as assistant writers.
One of Tim's early jobs was as an assistant writer for the 1987 film North Shore. An array of writing jobs and internships can be found online through websites like www.mandy.com, www.backstage.com, www.hollywoodlitsales.com, www.FreelanceWriting.com, and www.CyberScreenwriter.com.
Tim urges beginning writers not to lose hope, saying that it took him more than six months to write and revise the screenplay for "Iron Giant" even with his strong educational background and years of professional writing experience.
As gifted, hard working writers, both Dan Bucatinsky and Tim McCanlies recognize the significance of contacts in Hollywood. Hollywood studios receive thousands of scripts each month. Of these thousands only a few hundred may make it from the mail room, past the intern's desk, and into the executive's office. In the rush to read and pass scripts through the hierarchy, Hollywood studios push many screenplays to the back burner or, worse yet, immediately discard screenplays without review. Some amazing screenplays end in the trashcan while many mediocre scripts are approved for production.
Why does this happen?
Because when a script arrives with a cover letter of recommendation from an executive's old professor, friend, co-worker, etc... it goes straight to the top of the studio's "Read Me Now" list regardless of quality. This is the reality of the Hollywood system, however unfair it may seem to newcomers.
The smart screenwriter will accept this reality and make the most of his/her connections to ensure that their script lands in the "Read Me Now" list. Although mixers through organizations like the American Screenwriters Association and the Writers Guild of America are good places to make contacts, the schmoozing element of the business often requires some luck as well as hard work.
For example, Dan Bucatinsky was close friends with a woman named Lisa Kudrow when he was studying to become a writer at Vassar College. When Lisa became famous for her role in the popular television sitcom, "Friends," she helped Dan achieve his Hollywood dream. She ensured the production of "All Over the Guy" by signing onto the film as an actress and recommended Dan as a writer to many Hollywood producers and directors. Dan and Lisa continue to collaborate on film projects, and he writes parts for her into his screenplays. When Dan speaks to students, he stresses making valuable friendships in college and urges students to view writing as a business as well as an art.
Tim McCanlies also credits much of his success to luck and connections. Without the support of Gary Shusett, an associate producer on the 1988 film "Moon Over Parador," it is unlikely that Interscope would have read Tim's unsolicited screenplay "Harlem," let alone optioned it. Once Gary Shusett helped him get his foot in the door, Tim had the opportunity to make films with rising Hollywood stars like Brad Bird (Iron Giant 1999, The Incredibles 2004) who appreciated his work ethic and creativity. Tim's career as a Hollywood screenwriter thrives today because of the connections he made and fostered as a young writer.
The key to breaking into Hollywood as a screenwriter is twofold: a willingness to write, study, and practice with consistency; and a talent to develop relationships with people in positions of power. There is not one right way to be a screenwriter, but these elements are significant to achieve success in Hollywood.
Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers screenwriting and filmmaking for www.CyberScreenwriter.com, a news portal for aspiring screenwriters.
Find More Hollywood Articles
Screenwriting Your Way To Hollywood
Screenwriting Your Way To Hollywood
Throughout filmmaking history screenwriters have used many methods to achieve success in Hollywood. Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, 1989) easily gained access to Hollywood as the daughter of stage and screenwriting team Henry and Phoebe Ephron. Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, 1999) juggled many jobs and wrote for the T.V. series, "Get a Life," before catching the attention of producer Steve Golin. Alan Ball (American Beauty 1999) chose a different path; he first worked as a theater producer and writer. Producers Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner invited him to Hollywood because they both saw the debut of Ball's hit play, "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" at the Manhattan Class Company Theater.
While Hollywood screenwriters have their own success stories, they also share strong work ethics and know how to foster vital business connections. This article examines how current Hollywood screenwriters Dan Bucatinsky and Tim McCanlies learned from their predecessors' habits and how they jumpstarted their writing careers.
Dan Bucatinsky is a talented and disciplined writer who broke into the Hollywood scene in 2001 with his romantic comedy, "All Over the Guy." A 1987 graduate of Vassar College, Dan took advantage of his education and worked diligently to learn his craft and develop a unique style. His time spent writing countless papers, stories, and scripts in college attributed to his screenwriting excellence. When he returned to Vassar in 2004 to advise aspiring screenwriters Dan emphasized the importance of writing everyday.
"Even when I draw a blank, even when I don't feel like working, even when nothing I put down on paper is any good...I force myself to write for at least a couple of hours everyday," Dan revealed.
This discipline is a trademark of successful Hollywood screenwriters. According to Dan, a writer's willingness to push himself can prove more significant than raw talent. There are many naturally gifted writers; what distinguishes a great writer from a good one is the technique they have gained through careful study and years of dedication.
Several helpful books exist for writers seeking guidance as they try to develop their skills, including, "Crafty Screenwriting" by Alex Epstein, "Adventures in the Screen Trade" by William Goldman, and "Secrets of Film Writing" by Tom Lazarus. Dan Bucatinsky and countless other screenwriters rely on these resources to craft innovative, creative screenplays. These resources can be bought at any bookstore or online at www.StoryScribe.com (http://www.storyscribe.com).
Like Dan Bucatinsky, Tim McCanlies (Iron Giant, Secondhand Lions, Dancer, Texas Pop. 81) gained attention for his artful writing. He nurtured his natural writing talent by practicing and revising scripts when he wasn't working at odd jobs to support himself.
In 1979 he published his first novel, "Harlem," and enrolled in the Sherwood Oaks Experimental College to further study writing techniques. While in school Tim simultaneously excelled in his classes and completed a screenplay based on his novel. His hard work paid off: college founder Gary Shusett noted Tim's diligence, read the screenplay for Harlem, and helped to get the script optioned by Interscope.
In a recent interview Tim revealed that he still writes everyday and added that "the key to good writing is to focus on developing strong, interesting characters." He stressed the importance of building up a writing resume, encouraging aspiring writers to embrace all learning opportunities including internships and jobs as assistant writers.
One of Tim's early jobs was as an assistant writer for the 1987 film North Shore. An array of writing jobs and internships can be found online through websites like www.mandy.com, www.backstage.com, www.hollywoodlitsales.com, www.FreelanceWriting.com, and www.CyberScreenwriter.com.
Tim urges beginning writers not to lose hope, saying that it took him more than six months to write and revise the screenplay for "Iron Giant" even with his strong educational background and years of professional writing experience.
As gifted, hard working writers, both Dan Bucatinsky and Tim McCanlies recognize the significance of contacts in Hollywood. Hollywood studios receive thousands of scripts each month. Of these thousands only a few hundred may make it from the mail room, past the intern's desk, and into the executive's office. In the rush to read and pass scripts through the hierarchy, Hollywood studios push many screenplays to the back burner or, worse yet, immediately discard screenplays without review. Some amazing screenplays end in the trashcan while many mediocre scripts are approved for production.
Why does this happen?
Because when a script arrives with a cover letter of recommendation from an executive's old professor, friend, co-worker, etc... it goes straight to the top of the studio's "Read Me Now" list regardless of quality. This is the reality of the Hollywood system, however unfair it may seem to newcomers.
The smart screenwriter will accept this reality and make the most of his/her connections to ensure that their script lands in the "Read Me Now" list. Although mixers through organizations like the American Screenwriters Association and the Writers Guild of America are good places to make contacts, the schmoozing element of the business often requires some luck as well as hard work.
For example, Dan Bucatinsky was close friends with a woman named Lisa Kudrow when he was studying to become a writer at Vassar College. When Lisa became famous for her role in the popular television sitcom, "Friends," she helped Dan achieve his Hollywood dream. She ensured the production of "All Over the Guy" by signing onto the film as an actress and recommended Dan as a writer to many Hollywood producers and directors. Dan and Lisa continue to collaborate on film projects, and he writes parts for her into his screenplays. When Dan speaks to students, he stresses making valuable friendships in college and urges students to view writing as a business as well as an art.
Tim McCanlies also credits much of his success to luck and connections. Without the support of Gary Shusett, an associate producer on the 1988 film "Moon Over Parador," it is unlikely that Interscope would have read Tim's unsolicited screenplay "Harlem," let alone optioned it. Once Gary Shusett helped him get his foot in the door, Tim had the opportunity to make films with rising Hollywood stars like Brad Bird (Iron Giant 1999, The Incredibles 2004) who appreciated his work ethic and creativity. Tim's career as a Hollywood screenwriter thrives today because of the connections he made and fostered as a young writer.
The key to breaking into Hollywood as a screenwriter is twofold: a willingness to write, study, and practice with consistency; and a talent to develop relationships with people in positions of power. There is not one right way to be a screenwriter, but these elements are significant to achieve success in Hollywood.
Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers screenwriting and filmmaking for www.CyberScreenwriter.com, a news portal for aspiring screenwriters.
Find More Hollywood Articles
Breaking Into Hollywood – Do I Really Need A Screenwriting Seminar?
Breaking Into Hollywood - Do I Really Need A Screenwriting Seminar?
I’m a producer who has enjoyed both sides of the writing seminar experience. As a writing fellow years ago, I attended many diverse seminars. Then, as a story analyst for a major production company, I developed my own system for understanding and applying story structure which I now teach in a seminar of my own. There are three things I explain to people who question or resist “learning how to write” through professional seminars.
First, writers often (mistakenly) interchange “story” and “structure.” These are two separate elements of the writing process. Story is the creative experience that only you can uniquely express from your vision. Structure is the foundation for that story, and the rules of structure have been accepted for thousands of years. The easiest way to grasp the distinction is to think of a dinner party. What you cook is entirely up to you (story). But you must serve your guests the appetizer first, then the entrée, then the dessert, in that order, and those dishes have to complement each other (structure). If not, no matter how great the food is, your guests are going to think you have no idea how to make dinner. And they won’t come back to dine with you again. Writing seminars tend to focus on teaching structure, NOT story, so that creative genius has a chance of being understood and enjoyed by buyers and audiences who innately expect a certain foundation to a script. And story instincts can be honed and expanded with professional guidance, as well.
Second, virtually all professions have rules for writing. Just as lawyers must learn proper structure and format for legal briefs and programmers do the same with software code, screenwriters must learn and apply rules of structure and format to screenplays. Most professions have training expectations, too. Just as no one is going to give you 0,000 to perform open heart surgery on a patient just because you’ve always dreamed of being a doctor, no one is going to give you 0,000 to write a script just because it’s your lifelong fantasy. Doctors, lawyers and other professionals get degrees and regularly attend seminars to maintain their chops and their edge, and so do writers. No matter how strongly emerging writers believe that Hollywood is a get-rich-quick-with-no-effort industry, in order to succeed, you will have to replace that belief with the simple acceptance of show business as a business.
There simply is no benefit to railing against the industry’s insistence that writers get some training before they attempt to get paid for their work. Any time you are asking someone to pay you, you must anticipate their establishing rules for that income. If you don’t want to have to learn the insider rules, the simplest solution is to write for free. But if you want to sell your work, just as in any other business, you have to respect the guidelines. The good news is that the rules of writing get far more flexible after a first sale!
Third, it’s common for people to mistrust writing teachers as unnecessary snake oil salespeople who are not personally successful themselves. Yes, the rules of story structure that Hollywood subscribes to are fairly standard. The laws of physics are standard, too, but not many people easily grasp and apply them! Training helps writers master the rules so they can craft solid scripts that can actually be sold. And just as you learned better from some teachers than others in high school, you will find in the variety of books and workshops at least one approach to structure that will help you effectively integrate it into your work.
Remember, selling a script is neither a requirement for nor a guarantee of being able to teach screenwriting. I’ve produced many writing panels and seminars, and many successful screenwriters lack the communications skills and the clarity of process to adequately guide another writer to a successful script. For my part, I teach from the point-of-view of the buyer instead because that was my background and because my personal business strategy is to always understand what the person who writes the check is looking for. Believe this - whatever an individual teacher’s approach, the ability to teach a subject well enough for students to grasp it is its own gift.
Finally, let me be a bit frank just to give you a glimpse into the perspective of your potential buyers. From the industry’s point-of-view, writing exactly what comes out of your head, spirit and heart, with no structure or training, is not screenwriting...it's “typing.” For a parallel, dancing around a living room on your toes is not professional ballet, and it does not warrant the expectation that you should be equally respected as trained ballet dancers in the world of classical dance. Next, I can think of few industries that offer as accessible an education in the basics as screenwriting’s swath of books and seminars. Please compare those demands on your time and wallet to what dentists, accountants, attorneys and other professionals must do before they can earn a professional paycheck. If attending a well-respected course for a few hundred bucks helps buyers have confidence in you, do whatever helps you crack those barriers to entry! Last, try very hard to name any industry where training destroys natural talent rather than enhances or develops it. Still a skeptic? Buy a couple of writing books and take some classes just to prove everyone wrong. What I know you will discover, instead, is that training can take what’s good and makes it great.
Happy screenselling.
DMA is a former film story analyst who is now the executive producer of a new media and reality TV production company in Los Angeles. Learn how to sell a screenplay from DMA's industry guide "The 1-3-5 Story Structure Made Simple System: The Nine Essential Elements of a Sellable Screenplay."
For DMA's national speaking schedule and more insider resources for breaking into Hollywood, please visit Planet DMA. It is our goal to mentor you through your career in the entertainment industry!
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