Specs that sold in 2012

Jun 15, 2013 by Erik Bork

SCRIPT Magazine has published my article analyzing the common elements of screenplays that sold in 2012.  One of the key things that...

Finding the right genre

Jun 10, 2013 by Erik Bork

Blake Snyder’s ten “genres” and fifty “subgenres” in his Save the Cat books are my single favorite tool...

Loglines don’t tease. ...

Feb 26, 2013 by Erik Bork

Loglines describe a movie (or series) idea in a quick sentence or two that provide enough of an idea of what it’s about to...

Spec Scout

Feb 14, 2013 by Erik Bork

A very cool new website called “Spec Scout” tracks the status of currently unproduced screenplays in the Hollywood...

Inciting Incident types

Nov 3, 2012 by Erik Bork

  Lately I’ve been brainstorming what to write for my next feature script.  And I’ve been looking for questions to...

The first 10 pages of a script

Aug 31, 2012 by Erik Bork

Yes, it’s true that a writer might only get the opening pages of their script read — and that it will likely be put down right...

The Key to Industry Access

Jun 7, 2012 by Erik Bork

When I work with writers giving feedback and guidance on their material and career paths, I often end up giving advice about how to...

BRIDESMAIDS: The Beat Sheet

Feb 26, 2012 by Erik Bork

I created a “beat sheet” for Bridesmaids for the folks at Save the Cat — it’s now up on their website.

Which of Blake Snyder’s genres and subgenres do you think this hugely successful comedy fits? Take a look to find out…

Don’t withhold; reveal, ...

Aug 2, 2011 by Erik Bork

A writer I work with as a script consultant recently shared a phrase with me that came from her friend Craig Hammill (thanks,...

What makes a good series idea

Apr 11, 2011 by Erik Bork

In my work pitching series ideas and writing pilots (and on good days, selling them to networks such as NBC and Fox), I’ve learned a few things about what they’re looking for, and what makes an idea sellable – as well as what a successful pilot script tends to include…

SAVE THE CAT genres

Nov 26, 2010 by Erik Bork

Ever since an established producer recommended I read  Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat, I’ve found it to be an essential...

Writing miniseries on spec

Oct 25, 2010 by Erik Bork

In my script consulting work, I often meet screenwriters who are hoping to get into the marketplace with an idea for a potential...

Passion. Openness. Persisten...

Apr 24, 2010 by Erik Bork

I guess I’ve become a fan of acronyms. First, it was “CURE”: what I think we as writers should aim for with every...

Blake Snyder’s “5-...

Mar 24, 2010 by Erik Bork

For those of you who use the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (which I highly recommend, and use in my script consulting), I recently came...

Loglines and SAVE THE CAT

Oct 29, 2009 by Erik Bork

Most story (and series) ideas fail at the level of concept.   Sad, but true.  I’ve learned this the hard way.  Of course,...

Creating TV series ideas on sp...

Oct 7, 2009 by Erik Bork

Here’s something that comes up a lot when I work with writers who have original series ideas, and spend time mapping out...

Twenty minutes a day

Sep 9, 2009 by Erik Bork

Even when your full-time “day job” is working on a writing project (as it is for me), chances are there’s something...

Paying tribute to Blake Snyder

Aug 7, 2009 by Erik Bork

I never met the man in person, but ever since a producer turned me on to SAVE THE CAT a couple years ago, it has been my most-quoted...

"Talent" is overrate...

May 29, 2009 by Erik Bork

Because screenwriting is such a competitive field, and a “tournament profession,” where there are a very limited number...

Why I pursued a writing career

Dec 30, 2008 by Erik Bork

I realize now, after about ten years making my living as a Los Angeles-based screenwriter, that there is really only one kind of movie...