Video responses would be great! Just to remind, I had asked that question the other day about a writing partner inteded to play a role in a film. Thanks!

Yeah video would be awesome.

Actually, I'm personally not a fan of video on blogs. It's faster to read a post than either listen or watch video. Text is also more searchable and it's easier to scan to relevant sections. This also makes it easier to come back to posts. I follow blogs on Google Reader and the posts I leave unread (even after reading them) are the ones that have videos in them (or some action to take later like downloading a script, etc). That said, I wouldn't mind getting to know Scott a bit more "for a couple of minutes from time to time." :)

I think videos would be a fun idea. Nice change of pace and add a new element. Perhaps a boost to the creative juju blasts as well.

I'm with L. Fernando on this. Text is better for the reasons mentioned. An exception may be the "Script to Screen" segments where Scott could do voice-over commentary over the movie clips. But there's no need for that either -- I'm fine with the current format.

Yup, I'm with L. Fernando and Joe on this one. Unless the subject is something that really needs the video to explain it (i.e. visuals or animations or pointing to things on a diagram), it is much faster and more efficient to get the info via a written blog post. I am much less likely to click play on a video that read (or at least scan) a blog post. I've found that when people post video+transcript, I always end up pausing the video and reading the transcript. But the occasional video post would be great - either where the subject matter really is suited to video or, as L.F. says, to get to know Scott a bit more.

As far as questions go... the one I can think of right now (kinda vague) would be something about breaking the rules. Seems some of the scripts we are looking at (produced) have broken the rules - e.g. Drag me to Hell, with huge long "action" paragraphs with little "white space? (e.g. p18-21) - I'd like to know, is that considered to be poor writing, or is there something about that sequence that make sit work in spite of breaking the rules we are all told (re: white space, and short punchy paragraphs)? That's just one example. But some sort of discussion, with examples, of when you can get away with breaking the rules, would be interesting.

To what degree is a screenwriter's career determined by fashion, in terms of a style of writing, genre or feel that resonates with an audience at a specific point in time? It seems to me, that in this respect, a screenwriter's life is very much like a professional musician's, and many of the same forces apply. Some writers like Robert Mark Kamen or Steve Zaillian have careers similar to U2 or the Stones where many movies are released over the span of decades. Others like Bill Goldman or Walter Hill, had their heyday years ago, and now make a great living behind the scenes; Shane Black who was the overwhelming voice of a decade only to vanish except for the occasional production; or Woody Allen, who was huge back in the 70's, but now makes movies for his smaller but select and loyal audience.

Hi Scott! Not a writing question as such, but can you let me know the name of the program you use to upload posts automatically to the blog? As for the video blog posts, I'm undecided. Part of me thinks it a good idea, if said posts are used to help illustrate something visual. I remember watching a John August vid that showed him taking a descriptive scene from a real writers script, telling the viewer what was wrong with it, then making the necessary amendments before your eyes. So yeah, something like that would be cool. Have you thought of producing audio Podcasts? I'd love to have some of your posts in audio format living on my MP3 player so I can listen to them while I'm on the way to to work. Not every post you understand, but the ones you feel are most prominent. We've spoke a few times via Skype. You have a nice voice! Just a thought.

Scott, What is your take on using the infamous: ‘in the vein of…’ (or something akin) when submitting queries? For example, I use the following for one of my specs: Scorpio Cruise is Falling Down meets Taken. I have heard/read that most Hollywood types believe it to be amateurish, while others feel it gives the reader a better sense of the story. Thoughts? Keep Writing! Mike

Sean, sorry I missed this the first time around. The scheduled upload is a regular feature of Word Press. As to audio podcasts, I've thought about doing that on a weekly basis, a sort of greatest hits of the GITS week, but it's always an issue of time for me. Maybe in the 2012.