Chronicles of a Writer

Three component parts of a character

What do you do when you introduce a new character in your screenplay?  A few essential facts will give you a head start and capture your character with a good first impression. Name and Age Yes, the first one is a freebie. Physical Description In a way, so is the second one.  Make sure you're describing traits that will individualize your character.  Skinny, pretty and blonde hair will not suffice. Temperament This portion is the most distinct.  A detailed yet succinct descript...

Happy Halloween!

Writing has little to do with this auspicious holiday, but happy Halloween nonetheless! For those of you looking for something with meat and dialogue for this time of the year, I highly recommend "The Orphanage."  Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona and written by Sergio G. Sanchez, the Spanish film is suspenseful, unique and incredibly well-written.  Guillermo del Toro, famous for "Pan's Labrynth," also produced the film.  This is one story that has a lot of talent behind it, and it shows.  Trus...

Grey’s Anatomy 6×07 ‘Give Peace a Chance’

While season 4 was known as the season of change, season 6 of "Grey's Anatomy" has it beat.  By far.  The newest episode follows that trend by focusing on Derek Shepherd. The Good Doctor Surprisingly, having Derek in the spotlight is not as bland as one would think.  Yes, he's better off as the supportive, calm pillar, but the man has some fire to him.  Incidentally, the medical procedure also happens to be one of the few risky surgeries that's actually successful.  Remember the slew of tu...

The Office 6×8 ‘Koi Pond’ review

With the energy that only comes from Halloween and sugar highs, "The Office" takes a breather after the previous week's intense episode with some good ol' fashioned trick or treat. The Halloween theme actually runs a deep thread through the episode.  For one, people everywhere are wearing costumes and fooling people.  Jim pretends to be the good-natured co-manager when he is in fact suffering from a tinge of jealousy.  Pam and Andy pretend to be a couple expecting in order to boost their sale...

The Walking Dead: a rare zombie treat

While I am an avid fan of the zombie horror genre, it's fairly rare to find anything of substance or sophistication in the vastly overused subject matter. One of the exception to the rule is the comic series "The Walking Dead."    The ongoing series is created and written by Robert Kirkman and details the experiences of post-apocalyptic survivors after a worldwide zombie outbreak.  Yes, the premise is not original by any means, but "The Walking Dead" has several uniquely strong elements. S...