As any screenwriter knows, coming up with a good story is only half of the work involved in writing a screenplay.  The next step for any screenwriter to take in writing a screenplay is to decide where to write it.  This is probably the most crucial step in developing a screenplay because as you may already know by now, a screenplay must be written in an exact and precise professional format designed to meet the industry’s standards.

         Some screenwriters, especially those new to the screenwriting industry, may attempt to use a basic word processor; however, writing a screenplay this way can be very difficult and time consuming.  I highly suggest avoiding this option altogether because Hollywood agents and producers are extremely strict when it comes to accepting screenplays and if one line in your screenplay doesn’t meet the industry’s standards, you risk the chance of your screenplay being rejected altogether.  That being said, anyone serious about the screenwriting industry should invest in a Screenwriting Software. 

There are literally hundreds of different types of screenwriting software, however I suggest that you purchase software that is well-known and is used frequently by the industry’s top professionals.  The two top and most frequently used are Final Draft and Movie Magic.   Both Final Draft and Movie Magic are highly used and are recommended by Hollywood professionals as well as various well-known literary agencies.  So, which one is the best choice? 

Now, before you decide which screenwriting software is best for you, please understand that neither software will make you write or become a better writer.  The task of writing a good screenplay is solely your responsibility.  As a screenwriter, I’ve used both Final Draft and Movie Magic and even though both have their pros and cons, I personally I prefer Final Draft. 

When using Movie Magic, I have found that it helps shorten the length of my script, which is good (the less lengthy script, the better).  However, I have also discovered that it uses incorrect margins by default.  This may not seem like a big issue,   but in the screenwriting industry there are really strict guidelines when it comes to formatting a script.  Just one formatting mistake can be the difference between a rejection and a success.  Movie Magic seems to overlook that. 

Movie Magic also gives you the option of having some paragraphs in your screenplay run on through a page break, or cut off.  Although this may seem like a good thing (the more options the better, right?), it is not.  Again, in the screenwriting industry, there are certain formatting rules and when one of those rules requires a specific number of lines per page, the option of a run on through a page break or cut off should be disregarded. 

As much as I do like Movie Magic, I prefer Final Draft because by default, Final Draft uses correct margins, so that you as a screenwriter can focus on writing instead of having to worry about changing any of the writing settings when you open the program.  Final Draft also does not give you as many writing options as Movie Magic.  This may sound like a bad thing, but when Final Draft automatically formats your script according to industry standard, why would you want any other option?

         Although, I am partial to Final Draft, both Final Draft and Movie Magic are the best of the best when it comes to screenplay formatting software.  The decision is completely up to you which one to choose.  I do strongly suggest; however, that you do invest in one of them.  Both will save you countless hours of time and frustration because they do practically everything that you as a screenwriter would typically have to do on your own.  And if it were up to me, I’d go with Final Draft.  You will find that it is worth every penny.

Lately, I’ve found myself getting frustrated.  Not just with my writing, but with life, in general.  There have been so many times, especially lately, with the economy and life at home, that I’m so tempted to just give up on everything.  Today was one of those days…that is, until I read this verse and it got me thinking…Before long, I found myself writing my interpretation of the verse.  The result?  The several long paragraphs you see below and a new found sense of hope and encouragement.  Enjoy

The verse was :

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
—2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Paul actually wrote this verse right before he was carried out to be executed.  In fact, it was one of the very last things he ever wrote.  To me, this verse demonstrates “selflessness”.  Paul didn’t live for Jesus at the beginning of his life,; however, he made up for it at the end.  Growing up, Paul (then known as Saul), lived a very selfish life.  He only looked after himself and everything he did was in the sole interest of him and him alone.  As a adult, Paul helped to seek out and kill many innocent people.  Paul was a selfish, bitter man- that is, until he met Jesus.

When Jesus came into Paul’s life, Paul was completely transformed.  He was a new man.  And immediatley people began to see a change in him.  When Jesus became Paul’s main focus, Paul became self-less.  No longer was he concerned about the well-being of himself.  Instead, he was concerned about the welfare of others.

Paul knew that in doing so, he could lose everything, including his life, but it didn’t matter.  Paul had discovered the true meaning of love and had embraced the true meaning of life itself which is ”selflessness”.

Paul poured his whole life into serving Jesus and serving others.  He fought the good fight.

Now, if we judged Paul’s fight in the eyes of men, it would seem as if Paul lost everything.  He lost his status among high officials, he had no money, he was a wanted man, and eventually caught and put in prison.  All of these things are enough to make any man break down and give up, but not Paul.  Even while in prison, Paul wrote letters of encouragement to many people offering hope and encouraging them to stay the course and follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

Eventually, Paul was tried and sentenced to death.

Paul continued to write and encourage even though he knew his days were numbered.

As the day came for him to be executed, crowds of people begin to gather outside.  They hated what this man stood for and couldn’t wait to watch him die.

Inside his cell, Paul could hear the crowds getting louder and louder…

Paul knew it was almost time, so he wrote.

He wrote to his friends telling them not to worry and to continue where he had left off.

As he wrote, Paul could hear footsteps, distant at first, and then getting louder and louder.  They stopped at his cell door.

Suddenly, the door to his cell opened and Paul looked up to see the guards.  The end had come.

As the guards led Paul out of his cell and through the prison, Paul prayed for them.

They approached the door to the outside. The door was opened and Paul was led into the jeering crowd.

No one really knows what went on in Paul’s mind the minute he was led to the chopping block or the brief seconds in which the executor raised his axe.  But we do know this: Paul fought the good fight.  He gave his ALL for Jesus.

I’m pretty sure that the jeering crowd, the guards, and the executioner thought that Paul was a miserable failure that day.  Paul had fought hard to share the gospel with the world and he ended up losing his life.  However, Paul was a victor and he knew it.  During his final moments, Paul knew that he was about to come face to face with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and receive his eternal award - the crown of righteousness.

Paul fought the good fight and today, his writings(which were inspired by God) and his legacy lives on and reaches millions of people all around the world.

This verse, though short and simple, is so profound.  It means that we should never give up, never tire of being a light for HIM.  And even when we don’t feel like being kind to others or letting “the peace of God rule” we should. We should strive to become, self-less individuals who think more of others than we do of ourseleves.  Life is a constant battle.  So let’s fight the good fight

I have a lot to say, however, since I don’t have much time at the moment, I’m going to say this fast.

I want to encourage everyone to stay encouraged and stay focused on their dreams.  Time is of the essence.  I saw a quote not too long ago on the movie ‘Gone with the Wind’ that said “Don’t squander time.  That’s the stuff life’s made of”.  How true that is.   I’ve had to learn that the hard way these past couple of months. 

The truth is, sometimes it’s hard to remain focused on your dreams.  But stay the course!  Life is short and the time you waste is time you can’t get back. 

Thanks for reading

Calie Renee

Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion –

If you are familiar with physics, then you’ve probably heard of the brilliant English physicist, Isaac Newton, who wrote the most influential book in Science history called Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Newton wrote this world famous book in 1687 and in its pages, he describes Universal Gravitation and the three laws of motion.

So, what does this have to do with character development?  Do Isaac Newton’s credentials also include screenwriting?  I’m afraid not.  However, experienced screenwriters have been using the third law of motion written in Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica to build strong characters in their screenplays for years. 

In Newton’s third law, he explains that a force upon an object is a result from its interaction with another object.  In other words, forces result from interactions and for every action, there is an equal or opposite reaction.  Interaction = action and reaction.

Although this law was intended to be used for scientific purposes, it can be a valuable asset to writing a good screenplay.  Allow me to explain:

Let’s say that some kind of incident/event takes place in your screenplay that affects one of your characters.  Naturally, the character is going to have some sort of reaction to it.  The character’s reaction to the incident/event is one way of revealing to your audience your character’s personality because it allows them to see that character’s temperament when dealing with that kind of situation. 

Here’s an example:

In Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight, Batman is unable to save Rachel from the Joker’s sinister plan to demoralize the city of Gotham by overseeing the downfall of their role model and Rachel’s boyfriend, Harvey Dent.  As a result, Rachel dies and Harvey Dent, who is broken-hearted by the loss of his beloved-girlfriend, goes insane and turns into the notorious villain, Two-Face.

Now let’s compare this example with Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion:

Rachel’s death is the event (interaction) that occurs.

Her death affects Harvey Dent (action).

As a result of her death, Harvey goes insane and turns into the villain, Two Face (reaction).

Harvey’s transformation from role model to villain is his reaction to the action.

Harvey’s reaction to Rachel’s death reveals to the audience that Harvey wasn’t as “perfect” and as wholesome as the city of Gotham portrayed him to be.  When faced with the death of a loved one, Harvey reacted by becoming the very evil he had fought so hard to get rid of.

Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion is extremely important when writing your screenplay and developing your characters. In fact, you’ll find that Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion is included in every successful film and screenplay.  Why?  Because this law pertains to everyday life- people are always acting and reacting to things that affect them.  Every event and every circumstance requires some kind of action or reaction.  How you act or react reflects your character and gives others a glimpse of who you really are.  It should be the same with the characters you create in your screenplay.