Screenwriting
Formatting, editing, pitching, executing, formatting–oh, and writing. Tips and tells from those that write for the screen.

Resource List: Mental and Financial Health During COVID-19
We thought it would be helpful to periodically summarize what’s out there to calm the storm of information that seems to be swirling around us. So here is a resource list focusing on mental health, wellness and financial assistance to help soften the impact of COVID on all our lives.
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Support Arts Hub’s Artist Relief Fund
Hey arts-loving friends! Albuquerque’s Arts Hub is raising funds for artists impacted by the pandemic. Donate at their Facebook page or at their website at http://www.abqartshub.com/relief
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Pyragraph LIVE: Alejandro Montoya Marin
Filmmaker Alejandro Montoya Marin is in the finishing stages of producing his second feature, Millennium Bugs. It was supposed to screen at SXSW, and Antonio was slated to participate on a panel about independent filmmaking — but a nasty pathogen has thwarted his plans.
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Pyragraph LIVE: John Fugelsang
John Fugelsang is in Albuquerque to perform “Unpresidented: The true story of a comedian trying to raise a toddler while his country was electing one” and we were lucky enough to get him into the Pyragraph LIVE studio (a.k.a. my office) to talk about comedy, politics, religion, and how he’s pulled all those elements and more into his unique creative career.
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Dear Rich: Pancho’s Copyright Status, and Contract Questions
Beware that the Cisco Kid’s sidekick Pancho’s copyright status is not as clear. Pancho did not appear in the O Henry story and was reportedly inspired by Don Quixote’s sidekick, Pancho Sanza. His first appearance was in the 1945 film, The Cisco Kid Returns (not to be confused with the 1939 film, Return of the Cisco Kid).
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Native Voices Matter Now More Than Ever: How Sundance Inspired Me
Being surrounded by different indigenous people lit a spark, filled me with pride, and confirmed to me that yes, it is our time as the youth of the Native nations of America to rise up and be the generation that takes back not only our identity but our voice.
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How Theater Education Can Change the World Or, how it changed mine
Guest Blogger Jeff Andersen: “We work with students in local classrooms for an entire year teaching them how to write and perform their own plays. I see the students make the same connections I did. They realize that they can not only participate in the world around them but also, even better, help to shape it.”
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Dear Rich: Can I Make ‘Night of the Living Dead’ Action Figures?
Normally you would need two permissions to sell movie action figures: permission from the copyright owner of the movie, and permission from the actor (referred to as publicity rights). Because Night of the Living Dead is public domain, there is no copyright owner from whom you’ll need permission. However, you would need permission from the actors.
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Dear Rich: Can I Quote Hemingway or Dickens in a Stage Play?
Borrowing just a few passages, combined with a transformative purpose (a fictional character’s quoting of Hemingway) makes your stage play a good candidate for fair use. The trouble with our analysis is that only a court can substantiate a fair use claim.
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How These 10 Books Are Like a Shot of Tequila for 2017 Like a sip of the golden fire, these books will make you feel invincible.
Some of these tomes will open you like a window and let it all hang out. Others will flash some skin. Others will make you weepy, with a whopping hangover after. And, some, I can promise, you just might hate.
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Dear Little Bobby: Hopeful Writer (Challenged by Instructions)
So, Hopeful Writer, I hope I have not come off as too snarky. The truth is, there’s a lot to be said for being able to follow instructions even though we are artists, writers, musicians, etc., who are specifically drawn to creative work which is about NOT following the rules.
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No, No, No: Why I Crave Rejection
I’m at the point where I love rejection. I crave it, I want it.
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7 Lessons to Inspire from Entrepreneurs at Tribeca’s Imagination Day
The Tribeca Film Festival is notorious for exploring world innovations and new ways of storytelling.
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Music Licensing Agreement for Use in a Film/Video: Template Kit Contract template for use by musician or filmmaker
The info and agreement template in this Licensing Kit are aimed at helping filmmakers and musicians execute an agreement for a song to be included in a film or video.
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When You Don’t Know What You’re Doing, Everything Is Possible A comedy feature film done backwards and upside-down for cheap
Guest Blogger Nate Gubin lays down the unique style of storytelling in his comedy feature film “Search and Rescue.”
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“You are the Cavalry”: Taking the Reins of Your Own Film Career
After being turned down by executives, filmmaker Franklin Killian decided to go about making his movie in 10 days with all practical lighting.
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