Tag: Script

Map Yourself

A good writer thoroughly understands his or her characters’ emotions, inner conflicts and the whole process of internal transformation. Great writers dig deep to find this emotional truth within themselves.

Cougar Town – When a Character Doesn’t Ring True

Cortney Cox’s character is is poorly defined, cartoonish and utterly inauthentic. She acts like a thirty-year old Judd Apatow guy trapped in a one-note joke about being desperate but clumsy in the attempt to get laid.

Battle Speeches – Power of Idealism

It is critical that a battle speech reveal character. Each kind of leader sees the world differently and fights for different reasons. Each kind of leader inspires followers differently.

The Informant! – Power of Ambition

Matt Damon plays a pitch perfect Power of Ambition protagonist. A close movie comparison would be to Damon’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, another movie that explores dark and twisted side of the Power of Ambition character.

Welcome To The New Site

Welcome to ETB Screenwriting: An Emotional Toolbox Website. We’ve redesigned the site to make it more active, colorful and easy to navigate. I hope you come back often! Here is a quick tour.

The Character Map

What Is A Character Map? The Character Map is a proven way to develop characters that have a rich compelling emotional journey and a dynamic set of internal and external personal conflicts. Use this tool to create characters that leap off the page in your screenplay or teleplay. Great screenwriting begins with great characters. Great… Continue reading The Character Map

#BeFabFriday – Joyce Carol Oates: Why We Write

#BeFabFriday – Life has no meaning without the narrative we construct around it.

Vulnerability Scenes

Everyone who has heard me speak or teach knows how fundamental vulnerability is to making a movie or television show memorable. The way an audience BONDS with a character is through scenes where the character is vulnerable. Here are some of my favorites– what are yours?