Coffee & Content

Getting some things done up here at the Santa Barbara Film Festival this weekend, so I'm grabbing my coffee to go and leaving you to enjoy (and share) the content! First up, I have a truly enjoyable and insightful tutorial on how to best film at night. Next, it's an in depth interview Rian Johnson, writer/director of The Last Jedi, discussing his screenwriting techniques. As always, I ask that you pay it forward and share this content wherever possible.  And, of course, I welcome your thou...

Happy Sunday, everyone. Between the Sundance Film Festival and our incredible Women Creating Change event with Hollyshorts in Hollywood, it been an exciting, productive and inspiring last week and a half. I'm rewarding myself with some Death Wish Coffee and some screenplay reading.  Care to join me? It's my pleasure to present the 10 screenplays nominated for an Oscar this year.  Download em, save em or print em out.  They'll likely only be available for so long. As you've heard me say a...

Another Sunday, another edition of Coffee & Content.  I'm going a little French press style this morning...How about you? I'm truly excited about this week's C&C.  I have two vids that are simply off the charts. To kick things off, I have a video from the fine creatives from Mango Street.  This one is titled Take Your Filmmaking to the Next Level, and as per usual with their content, I think you'll find there's something to take away no matter what your experience or skill level. Next up,...

Happy first Sunday of 2018, everyone.  Excited to bring you the first Coffee & Content of the new year. If you're not familiar with Coffee & Content, it's a weekly blog (schedule permitting) where I share with you some of the cool material I've consumed over the previous week.  My goal is to inspire and motivate.  All I ask in return is that you share the content through your social media channels or via email with those you think would benefit.  Now...Some of you do that every week and some...

Hey guys.  Welcome to the weekend. Is there anything better on a cold winter's morning than curling up with a hot cup of coffee and a good screenplay?  If you answered "Yes", too bad, that's all I have for you.  For the rest of you, I'm happy to provide you with links to NINE screenplays hoping to get some recognition this awards season. As always, I welcome remarks and discussion in the Comments section below.  But more importantly, this is the season of giving, so hit the freakin' share bu...

Happy first Sunday of December, everyone.  Today I have two videos for you that I think you'll enjoy quite a bit.  First up, what makes a great villain?  The video essay Crash of Ideologies - Crafting the Perfect Villain explores the relationship between some of film's most memorable heroes and villains. Second, a terrific video from Film Courage featuring one of our favorite Stage 32 educators, James Kicklighter.  James, a writer, director and mentor to many a filmmaker, explains the first...

Happy Sunday, everyone.  To all those celebrating, I hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend. A little cloudy and cool where I am today.  Seems like a perfect time for an Italian dark roast and some film related content. First up, from our friends at Film Riot, I have a look on how to add depth your filmmaking (and storytelling) through visual subtext.  Next, tips, tricks and advice from some successful screenwriters who have had films play at Sundance.  And as a bonus today, I am addin...

Hey guys. Happy Sunday. Today, two more videos for you to enjoy with your morning java. First up, it's a look at how the Coen Brothers used very specific framing techniques to define character relationships in Fargo. I love this one...I think you will as well Next up, I have a brilliant look at editing in storytelling. This video is a piece of art unto itself that will no doubt invite repeat viewings. As always, all I ask in return is that you pay it forward and share this content through...

Happy Sunday, everyone.  Let's brew some dark roast and enjoy some content.  How about it? My first video today comes from Teppo Haapoja who lends some thoughts on how to up your storytelling game by grabbing all the shots you need to assure you're not getting caught short in the editing room. Next, I have an oldie but a goodie.  It's a fantastic TEDx talk from visual artist, actor, writer and director Taika Waititi called The Art of Creativity.  Consume, bookmark, revisit. As always, my o...

Sorry I missed you guys last week! It's been a whirlwind these last few weeks attending and speaking at iTVFest, Austin and now AFM. It's also been enormously rewarding. Never gets old meeting so many inspiring and talented Stage 32 members. Further, it's been fascinating to hear the tales and strategies of various creatives and executives as it relates to this ever-changing landscape of writing, filmmaking and distribution. I hope to share more in the coming weeks. In the meantime, how about we...