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Steve On Screenwriting: Your Screenwriting IQ, Part 6

May 5th, 2011 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

How high is your Screenwriting IQ? Take this quiz and find out how much you know about the business of screenwriting. True or False 1. Projects that go into turnaround are often purchased by other studios and have a better chance of being produced. That’s false. Turnaround projects have heavy costs that have accrued and [...]

Steve On Screenwriting: Your Screenwriting IQ, Part 5

April 7th, 2011 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

How high is your Screenwriting IQ? Take this quiz and find out how much you know about the business of screenwriting. True or False 1. A query letter is typically two to three pages long. That’s false. A query letter should never be longer than one page. 2. There is more money available to invest [...]

Steve On Screenwriting: Your Screenwriting IQ, Part 4

March 3rd, 2011 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

How high is your Screenwriting IQ? Take this quiz and find out how much you know about the business of screenwriting. True or False 1. You should try to get your material to directors or actors who may take an interest in getting your movie made. True. Get your material to anyone who might be [...]

Steve on Screenwriting – Myths Holding Back Your Career

February 3rd, 2011 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

There are several common myths that I’ve encountered that hold back the careers of new screenwriters. First Myth: The notion that there’s big money to be made from screenwriting. New writers hear about spec script sales in the six to seven figure range. The truth is these days, it’s more difficult to sell because of [...]

Steve On Screenwriting: Your Screenwriting IQ, Part 3

January 6th, 2011 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

How high is your Screenwriting IQ? Take this quiz and find out how much you know about the business of screenwriting. True or False 1. Entertainment attorneys work only on an hourly basis. False. You can negotiate with them to take 5% to 10% of the deal. 2. Writers who sue a studio or production company [...]

Steve On Screenwriting: Your Screenwriting IQ, Part 2

December 2nd, 2010 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

How high is your Screenwriting IQ? Take this quiz and find out how much you know about the business of screenwriting. True or False 1. The average selling price of a spec screenplay is between $500,000 and $1,000,000. That’s false. The average sale price is usually in the low six figures. 2. Formatting a screenplay [...]

Steve on Screenwriting: High Concept Defined

November 4th, 2010 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

High Concept is a Hollywood term that’s been misunderstood and used incorrectly more than any other. Ask writers how they would define it, and most will say it’s any project that can be pitched in one sentence. “A boy searching for his lost dog” is one sentence, but it’s not even close to being High [...]

Steve on Screenwriting: Understanding Drama

October 7th, 2010 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

Of all the genres, drama has the most emotional impact on screen.  Think about it.  Virtually every memorable film is a drama.  Examine the American Film Institute’s “100 Best Movies of All Time” and at least 90 percent of them are in the drama category. So why are dramas so difficult to pitch?  It’s because [...]

Steve On Screenwriting: Your Screenwriting IQ, Part 1

September 2nd, 2010 in Steve On Screenwriting by Steve Kaire

How high is your Screenwriting IQ? Take this quiz and find out how much you know about the business of screenwriting. True or False 1. Literary agents are eager to add new writers to their client list. That’s False. Agents are busy enough handling their present clients and don’t take on new clients very often. [...]