Not to sound like a kissass, but I love your blog ... you present not just an experienced, articulate eye on the biz, but a diverse one ... you cover a lot of angles on the world of screenwriting, which few other blogs can do ... certainly not mine, at least not yet.

I dig your site, dude.

Well, I come here because it's another view of this thing called cinema. I do like that you use more technical descriptions of things like Character arcs.
I also think that blogging with other writers keeps you sharp as you have to be used to expressing yourself. It's not like you'll have a stand in for pitch meetings.


As far as features, I think the Scene Description should definitely be a recurring thing.

I also think that highlighting books about cinema would be great too. Not only screenwriting, but directing, cinematography, everything film.

I would definitely recommend Gilles Deleuze's Cinema 1 and 2. Some Bergson and Bazin also.

The duality of the internet, the duality of the arts...

This morning, John August puts up a post on his site basically saying, "Outsiders, keep out!" (At least that's the subtext I gleaned from his anti-Scriptshadow post)

At the same time, Scott Myers puts up a rather loving tribute to the craft of screenwriting and, as usual, an open arms welcome to his readers, both lurkers and regulars.

There's a reason your blog is taking off like a rocket Scott. You are intrinsically a TEACHER. Not everyone can do that well. Hell, most bomb miserably, to be frank. But your enthusiasm for the craft explodes off these blog pages. You treat each reader question with the utmost care and respect.

Oh, and you're damn funny. (doesn't hurt!)

Those who choose (or are chosen!) to write these silly little 120 page movie blueprints are well aware of the odds stacked against us, we pretty much know the score and it ain't exactly in our favor.

Your blog gives us something called HOPE. A priceless gift indeed.

(raises glass) TO GITS!

Lurkers, you're not going to find a findlier place to visit. True, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people asking them. BUT if you wanna grow you're going to have to take some risks.

I'm a VERY SHY, TIMID person, but at one point I got the nerve up to ask a Hollywood agent what screenwriting software he'd recommend. I know, stupid question. He said Final Draft. I bought it and benefited greatly... Stumble forward.


Why do you visit GITS?

E.C.'s response: Creative stimuli. NOT living in Los Angeles, (as of 12-8-2009 Bonney Lake, WA hasn't been annexed by the Governator -- but I wouldn't put it passed him!) there aren't many places script writers can communicate with their own.


What features are your favorites?

E.C.'s responce: ANYTHING geared towards mastering current spec script format. Especially as pertains to DESCRIPTION. I've got lots of books, BUT even if I write their format verbatim, it's not the format smiled at by scipt readers these days. Hence, ANY advice Scott or his of his readers who know their a__hole from a hole in the ground is appreciated.

Besides that, I like your site the best, Scott, when you evalute individual scenes from produced scripts.


Is there something you think I can do to improve the site?

1) Provide access to buyers looking to purchase spec scripts.
2) Provide access to agents looking to take on new clients.

ALL else is gravy...

- E.C. Henry

P.S. I can vouch for Scott's typing skills. IF you need proof of his typing prowess I highly suggest you visit Scott Myers at the next UCLA Writers Extention Cyberhouse. Dude is smoking hot on the keyboard.

Hi Scott, I've been coming to the site since the middle of the year and now find it essential daily reading. I think I've gleaned more about the craft of screenwriting in the past six months from GITS than I have from all the books and courses I've ever been to or read. It's real, from real writers in the business or writers who have been legends in the business. It's very clearly set out, comes in easily digestible chunks, has a lot of variety and the tone of your posts is one of friendly, almost paternal helpfulness i.e. you come across as someone who genuinely wants to share with his readers everything he knows and everything he learns on a daily basis which might assist them.
Really appreciate all your efforts Scott, keep up the good work.

If I could visit only one site on the subject, it would be this one. Please don't make too many changes.

This site is... "the wind beneath my wings". Your daily postings definitely prep me for writing, and get my head in the right place. I first stumbled onto GITS looking for spec scripts to read and study, so I too could create imagery and ideas into stories I could call my own. But on GITS I have gotten so much more.

The availability and constant motivation keeps me coming back.

I enjoy the posted video interviews, and the "how they write" type interviews. They tend to humanize famous writers and provide a window into their minds. They leave me with the hope to one day be able to produce even a fraction of that wisdom.

Only thing we need more of.. is talk on Joss Whedon! and discussions on Firefly! hehe jk.

I agree with Jeff that you’re a teacher, but even more, you’re an evangelist. It’s apparent in all of your writing that you love screenwriting. I’d venture to say that if you had to choose one way of telling every story for the rest of your life, it would be through screenplays. That enthusiasm is contagious, but with an evangelist, the excitement sticks because it’s more than just excitement, it’s also learning and growth.

The Daily Dialogue is the one thing I read every day, other than the news. The segments I most look forward to are Great Scenes and On Writing. A Scene Description Spotlight segment would be a very welcome addition.

I can honestly say that my writing has improved immensely since making this blog stop a part of my daily start routine. If I never sell a screenplay at the very least I’ve become a much better writer.

I’m going to plug your classes through UCLA, too. I’ve taken several of the week-long short classes and Scott’s are the best. He shares a wealth of knowledge in those classes (even more than on his blog!). His lectures are on time and generally are 12 – 15 pages in length and he encourages active participation in such a way that the participation is really there!

Thanks again!

To EC Henry's comment about Scott's 10th-level dan typing skills: so that's how he's able to post so much quality on a daily basis. :)

Sometimes, there's too much here, especially if I've been away from my computer for a few days. That Google Reader ticker keeps on counting...

Still, I try to keep up. I especially like Daily Dialogue, but also appreciate some of the more detailed posts about certain aspects of the craft.

And this leads me to what, IMO, differentiates GITS from a lot of other screenwriting blogs: emphasis on craft. Moreover, Scott's approach is such that it makes me feel more like an apprentice craftsman. He solicits our input, answers questions, posts comments, in addition to his regular prolific writing here.

This is a place to question, to learn, to hone, regardless of how developed you are as a screenwriter. And to everyone's benefit. As they say, a rising tide raises all ships...

But the site is also a celebration of why we would wrestle with whatever creative demons in this particular medium in the first place. That is, an abiding love of film.

To that end, I would like to see some sort of tagging to make it easier to find earlier posts. Having a blog myself, I understand that tagging can be a royal pain in the ass. (I've tried using the 'scott distillery' listing but can't quite get used to it.)

Thanks, Scott for all that you do here.

Oh, I forgot to add: Is there a way to track comments in a specific thread, either through an email subscription or some other way?

This was great, thank you so much. The blog is fantastic and I'm so appreciative of what you do. Thank you!

I love your blog. I'm interested in other people's approaches, opinions and experience.
I love movies, analysis of movies, what makes a good movie, a great storyline, an effective climax to a built up thread. What are those special ingredients?

Hi Scott,

Just wanted to write to thank you again for all the work and heart you put into GITS. For me it's great to have your posts coming into my RSS feed when I'm not writing -- to remind me to start writing again! And it's great to have them drop in my inbox when I am writing, to help get me charged about the work I am doing.

I'd say the blog is just perfect -- don't go changin!
Michelle

echo all the above
:)