Holiday Gifts for Screenwriters (Part III - Greats, Genres, and Odds & Ends)
For this last gifting post, I'm just going to list links, and only comment on a few. These are pretty self explanatory!
Greats/Pro Stuff
That Lumet book is one of the best books I've ever read about filmmaking. He's one of my favorite directors, even though I am much more of a comedy guy, and he primarily does dramas.
We all know and love John August's blog, but Big Fish is also an awesome screenplay. Perhaps his best, certainly one of the few to allow Tim Burton to express his vision while also delivering a strong story, and a moving tale that successfully adapts a difficult to adapt book into a film.
Two of my favorite screenplays by the Coen Brothers. Lebowski really grows on you (and if you've only seen it once, I beg you to watch it at least two more times). Lebowski's character is an empty glass, a special kind of everyman stuck in an extraordinary situation. And the film is eminently quotable. Hudsucker is a visually beautiful film and features some juicy parts for powerhouse actors (Newman, Robbins, and Leigh) to sink their teeth into. You know, for kids!
For Genre Writers
Romantic comedy, Romance, and the book on writing RomComs, from fellow blogger Billy Mernit.
Some great comedies, and a book on applying mythic structure to comedy screenplays.
Compare the book and film of Shrek, and learn to write for animation.
Great adaptation, primo biopic, and auto-bio of one of the king sellers of the spec screenplay.
Two great horror films, and one of the most unique and chilling Best Picture winners of all time.
A fabulously moody modern western and a super popular TV series.
Odds & Ends
How about some "stocking stuffers?" (And don't the other holidays have a parallel phrase we can use?)
Most screenwriters (except those who get their scripts professionally copied and fastened) can use some more brads (brass fasteners). And no, I still have no idea the origin of that name.
Moleskine notebooks are compact, good quality, and have a literary tradition behind them. Plus they have a cool inside pocket!
Some people think that alcohol is a great gift for any writer. And hell, who am I to disagree! I love a good scotch as much as the next writer! But that can get a bit expensive, so maybe you want to deliver years of future drinking pleasure. These are Great Writers Shot Glasses, with quotes that are wry on a glass for your rye. ;-)
Not really a stocking stuffer, but this book didn't really fit anywhere else. Still, I'm a big fan, and have used it on more than one occasion. Not all these contracts relate to writers, but a number of them do!
Last but not least, I know you're wondering what you can give me, right? Cool. For starters, I'd probably be happy to get anything from any of these entries, and if I already have it, I can always exchange it for something else.
But if you'd prefer to get me something specific, I have set up an Amazon Wish List. I'll definitely add more things there as days go by, but I figured what the hell. Why not set it up?
Of course, money is nice too. It is always the right size, and that particular shade of green matches everything! Feel free to give me money as a gift as well -- I promise not to complain about it! Here's a PayPal link:
(I am kidding of course. At least a bit. I don't expect presents from any of y'all!)
Tags: holiday+gifts, screenwriters
Greats/Pro Stuff
That Lumet book is one of the best books I've ever read about filmmaking. He's one of my favorite directors, even though I am much more of a comedy guy, and he primarily does dramas.
We all know and love John August's blog, but Big Fish is also an awesome screenplay. Perhaps his best, certainly one of the few to allow Tim Burton to express his vision while also delivering a strong story, and a moving tale that successfully adapts a difficult to adapt book into a film.
Two of my favorite screenplays by the Coen Brothers. Lebowski really grows on you (and if you've only seen it once, I beg you to watch it at least two more times). Lebowski's character is an empty glass, a special kind of everyman stuck in an extraordinary situation. And the film is eminently quotable. Hudsucker is a visually beautiful film and features some juicy parts for powerhouse actors (Newman, Robbins, and Leigh) to sink their teeth into. You know, for kids!
For Genre Writers
Romantic comedy, Romance, and the book on writing RomComs, from fellow blogger Billy Mernit.
Some great comedies, and a book on applying mythic structure to comedy screenplays.
Compare the book and film of Shrek, and learn to write for animation.
Great adaptation, primo biopic, and auto-bio of one of the king sellers of the spec screenplay.
Two great horror films, and one of the most unique and chilling Best Picture winners of all time.
A fabulously moody modern western and a super popular TV series.
Odds & Ends
How about some "stocking stuffers?" (And don't the other holidays have a parallel phrase we can use?)
Most screenwriters (except those who get their scripts professionally copied and fastened) can use some more brads (brass fasteners). And no, I still have no idea the origin of that name.
Moleskine notebooks are compact, good quality, and have a literary tradition behind them. Plus they have a cool inside pocket!
Some people think that alcohol is a great gift for any writer. And hell, who am I to disagree! I love a good scotch as much as the next writer! But that can get a bit expensive, so maybe you want to deliver years of future drinking pleasure. These are Great Writers Shot Glasses, with quotes that are wry on a glass for your rye. ;-)Not really a stocking stuffer, but this book didn't really fit anywhere else. Still, I'm a big fan, and have used it on more than one occasion. Not all these contracts relate to writers, but a number of them do!
Last but not least, I know you're wondering what you can give me, right? Cool. For starters, I'd probably be happy to get anything from any of these entries, and if I already have it, I can always exchange it for something else.
But if you'd prefer to get me something specific, I have set up an Amazon Wish List. I'll definitely add more things there as days go by, but I figured what the hell. Why not set it up?
Of course, money is nice too. It is always the right size, and that particular shade of green matches everything! Feel free to give me money as a gift as well -- I promise not to complain about it! Here's a PayPal link:
(I am kidding of course. At least a bit. I don't expect presents from any of y'all!)
Tags: holiday+gifts, screenwriters
posted by Fun Joel | 2:57 AM
7 Comments:
And it was, literally, hours! I hope you all enjoy the suggestions! :-)
The only thing the list lacks is where to look for a devoted Patron with plenty of bank. Consider, the Seychelles [http://www.aspureasitgets.com/en/intro.htm].
Thanks Fun!
John -- looks really nice. But I didn't see anything on there about art patronages. Did I miss it? ;-)
Of course, if YOU want to become MY patron, just click that link up there!
Hey Joel,
Thanks for including our humble site/ebook in such terrific company -- don't want to turn this into an ad, but I'll give a nice discount to any who contact me through your site...
thanks "A Million",
chris@milliondollarscreenwriting.com
See, this is what I get for commenting on part 1 and not reading all 3. Of COURSE you mention brads!!
Heh heh. No worries, Shawna!
Brad means a thin pointy projection, like an arrow or a blade of grass. Yup, just another piece of minutiae.
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