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Category: INK

Jan12017

New Year, New Book, More FILM & INK Blog

Fresh green stalk

Breaks through the snowy crust

To kiss the sun

snwymss

Welcome to the new year!

Now, last year I wanted to blog more, to connect more, to do more. Well I certainly accomplished a lot: I wrote a couple of books (one set for publication in 2017), worked full time, took courses for my Masters of Creative Writing, and a bunch of etcetera.

What I didn’t do so well last year on was work-life balance.

I, therefore, start this year with some self-forgiveness. I do plan to blog more and connect more, but I also don’t expect myself to be super-human either. If I miss a planned post here and there, that will be okay. Know that I’m still here, but am probably wickedly busy.

The plan so far: for my FILM & INK blog, I’ll be writing for and about the FILM (and TV) industry, as well as posts about writing (the INK)… and FILM still stands for:

F-un

I-nspiration

L-ife

M-anagement
(of a production or your career)

 

So, here’s looking forward to the new year, more blogging fun and to my new book “Write! Shoot! Edit!” (a book for teens to make their first scripted movies).

All the best for the new year to you!
Deb

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Deborah Patz is author of “Film Production Management 101” and the upcoming “Write! Shoot! Edit!”

Aug242016

Ciné Surfer: Basics of Script Copyright

lglstatStephen Follows has an interesting site. Not a lot of links on the Resources page, but what’s there is worth the surf by. In particular, I enjoyed:

Basics of Script Copyright

https://stephenfollows.com/resource/basics-of-script-copyright/

Although copyright is handled differently in each country, the basics are here. Know the basics already? Well, there may be a nugget or two that’s new to you. What do you think?

Cheers & a clear script to you,
Deb

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My own book, “Film Production Management 101.” covers a related topic, script clearances, from a production manager’s and coordinator’s point of view. Don’t worry, the book is conversational in tone and very accessible reading, if you’re like to learn more.

Aug82016

Where Do You Write?

Back from the UFVA Conference, it’s time for me to get back to writing! But rather than talk about my works-in-progress today (there are two of them), let me ask you:

Where do you write?

When I was single, writing was hard to schedule around life, but I had a dedicated desk at home for the job… then I had a family and wow! it’s HARD to schedule writing around life!! Consequently, I find I’m not writing in one designated place anymore. I’ve written on desk, table and lap – wherever and whenever I can, including:

  • At coffee shops (of course… hasn’t every writer?)
  • On the train (thank you, thank you for those excellent tables and plug-ins on the train!)
  • Backstage at the theatre (waiting for dance class to finish)
  • On a boat (fine, until the seas get lumpy)
  • On a plane and in a hotel room (more, classic out-of-the-house locations)
  • On the patio (trying to enjoy the good weather, but it’s too bright for the screen)
  • And, at home (the family made me a “Busy Writing” sign, thank you very much!)

bzywriWhat about you? A designated spot, or wherever you can?

Cheers & productive writing to you,
Deb

 

Jul312016

What a Screenwriter Needs to Know About… Production Budgets

Writing and money… am I serious?

In the collaborative spirit of the film industry… yes.

I’ve taken a moment (ok, 4 min and 45 sec) to highlight a few things that writers should know about production budgets, because… well… when you write a movie, the script is not not going to be the story’s final form.

Here ’tis :

https://youtu.be/0eAoChVXSAc

Cheers & insightful writing to you,
Deb

– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

For more info on production budgets and on many more details about the production process, come over and check out my book “Film Production Management 101.”

You can also see me in person at the UFVA Conference in Las Vegas, July 31 – Aug. 4. I’ll be on several panels or at the MWP Books booth.

I’ll also be at the Future of Story Conference on August 1.

Jun62016

Busy Writing…

d-wrtgYeah… I’ve been absent from blogging for a while. Just letting you know that I’ve been busy writing… well, actually, I still am!

I find that I need concentrated blocks of time to push through that first draft. Grabbing those blocks wherever I can and rather looking forward to the little breather that comes between drafts one and two. See you when I can!

Cheers and write-on!
Deb

Feb152016

What Do These Films Have in Common? The Answer!

Did you get it?

Interesting answers came in from a variety of sources. The answer is:

Best Writing Nominations at the Oscars

flmstr

  • Mr. Deeds Goes To Town (1936, Robert Riskin)
  • The Maltese Falcon (1941, John Huston)
  • Love Story (1970, Erich Segal)
  • Away From Her (2007, Sarah Polley)
  • Das Boot (1982, Wolfgang Petersen)
  • American Graffiti (1973, George Lucas, Gloria Katz, Willard Huyck)
  • Roman Holiday (1953, Ian McLellan Hunter, John Digton)
  • The Great Dictator (1940, Charles Chaplin)

Are you planning an Oscar party this year? To warm up the party or as a lead up to the party, consider a quiz related to previous winners and nominees. There are a lot of great films out there…

To help you, here’s a link to the Academy Awards database:
http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/BasicSearchInput.jsp

Cheers & a good Oscar party to you,
Deb