Author Archives: Shawn
Sketch Writing 101
Becoming a professional writer does not start with talent. It starts with the right mentality. There are several schools which will teach you Hard Skills of sketch writing, but none will teach you these Soft Skills (though some allude to … Continue reading
Posted in Articles
Tagged comedy, Hidden Tools of Comedy, Improv, Screenwriting, Sketch, Sketch comedy, Sketch Writing, Sketch Writing 101, Skit, The Groundlings, The Second City, UCB, Upright Citizens Brigade, Writing
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Free Screenwriting Software
What is proper screenwriting format? How can I write a script and format it for free? What screenwriting software is free? The best answers to these questions are use Fountain Syntax, use Fountain syntax, and WriterDuet Celtx or other free … Continue reading
Posted in Articles
Tagged Beginners, Formatting, Fountain, Fountain Syntax, Free Screenwriting Software, Novice, Screenplay Format, Screenwriting, Script
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Film Review: The Post, Dunkirk, Sorry to Bother, 500 Days of Summer
Shawn explains why he didn’t like 4 particular films (of more than 8 seen on a series of plane rides): The Post, Sorry to Bother You, 500 Days of Summer, and Dunkirk. Continue reading
Posted in Film Reviews
Tagged Dunkirk, Lakeith Stanfield, Sorry to Bother You, Steven Spielberg, The Post (2017)
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Crazy Rich Asians
Lawrence of Arabia
What makes a great film? Rewatch-ability? Density of content? Depth of journey? Depth of character? Spectacle? Music? Theme? Duration? Pace? Philosophy? Acting? Four days ago I watched Lawrence of Arabia as a 30 year old adult. I watched it with … Continue reading
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MasterClass – Aaron Sorkin Screenwriting Spark Notes
From: https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/comments/4zpcz2/i_took_aaron_sorkins_masterclass_heres_my_cliffs/ (emphasis added) HOW TO BE A WRITER Write. Be writing be writing be writing be writing. Everything after this helps, but won’t if you aren’t writing. WHAT IS DRAMA? “If you don’t have intention and obstacle, it’s ‘Journalism’ ” Drama … Continue reading
Posted in Videos
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Comics Sideline & Not Too Shabby #2
Posted in Articles, Shawn's Diary
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Opinion: Character vs Premise Sketch
August 22, 2017 I prefer premise sketches over character sketches for a ton of reasons. First let me define the two types of sketches so you know the difference: Character Sketch: Sketch where the comedy comes from a funny or … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Shawn's Diary
Tagged comedy, Sketch comedy
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Duenas Comedy Reminders (Performance)
Here’s a list of notes to keep in mind when acting as a comedy actor: If a straight man, your comedic gap is struggling to cope with the crazy character. As a character sketch, your comedy comes from staying in … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, DuenasFilms
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Screenwriting 101
You’re here because you don’t know anything about screenwriting and want to get started ASAP and look like a pro. That’s exactly what I wanted too, one place to learn everything. This is your portal into screenwriting, TV writing, and … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Wordplayer
Tagged Hidden Tools of Comedy, Save the Cat, Screenwriting, Sketch comedy, Wordplayer
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