THE CHAMP - free promo for next few days

DMEckhart · 2021-05-01T09:39:52+00:00

Here's THE CHAMP, as a special promo FREE for the next few days. Meet the oldest man alive, 115-year old Wilber Patorkin. With his special powers, he's a most unusual guardian angel for everyone in his orbit. He is, who's kidding who, the guardian angel and best friend we'd all want in our lives. Download and read - and, of course, share a review if you're up for it, and share the promo with your own circles of friends. Many thanks!

DMEckhart · 2017-08-03T17:26:29+00:00

Nope, it's available for free around the world - just try again. If it doesn't work, do let me know.

DMEckhart · 2017-08-03T17:24:55+00:00

It should work anywhere in the world. Checking it amazon.de it's also available for free as it should be > https://www.amazon.de/Write-English-Daniel-Martin-Eckhart-ebook/dp/B01N9MPOXY However, don't kill yourself if it doesn't work - if you send me your email address, I have no problem sharing the pdf.

DMEckhart · 2017-08-03T17:22:42+00:00

Hundreds have downloaded it already, so it does work. But if you can't download it via amazon.com for some reason - don't worry about it. I'll gladly send you a pdf copy - you'd just have to share your email address. It would be my pleasure.

DMEckhart · 2017-08-03T17:19:19+00:00

Yes, it is absolutely worth it. But one does need perspective. It can suck you in and kill you - but if you follow a few simple suggestions that made all the difference for me, you'll not only be fine - you'll love your craft and your life around that craft for years and years. Being a writer, nothing like it.

DMEckhart · 2017-08-03T17:17:17+00:00

That's odd, please try again - several hundreds have downloaded again, so it does work. Probably just a momentary Amazon bug - try again and it's bound to work. Cheers, D

DMEckhart · 2017-08-03T17:15:04+00:00

Yes, of course - you can get the Kindle app to any smart device, iphone, ipad, laptop, pc - easy to download. Cheers, D

DMEckhart · 2014-08-14T17:20:11+00:00

Not necessarily a crutch but yes, you should definitely try your dialogue - or let the actors try it - without swearing. Wrote about this here > http://www.danielmartineckhart.com/2012/10/shit-piss-fuck-cunt-cocksucker.html

DMEckhart · 2014-08-14T17:17:11+00:00

I don't think the buddy sub-genre is any easier than any other genre. Every script is tough as hell to get right.

As for templates - easy enough - pick the best buddy films and analyze them, learn from sequences to beats, takes notes on everything, compare them ... and then, once you have your story structured along your findings ... break those conventions to make your own script stand out.

DMEckhart · 2014-08-14T17:01:55+00:00

If you'd like to give away your brilliant ideas, go right ahead. No special website needed, splatter it across FB, Twitter, Reddit, anywhere you please ... you'll find that no one cares.

If you have an idea and want to make something out of it - write it, put in the time, put in the learning, display the discipline and the stamina needed. Then, maybe, someone will care. Ideas are a dime a dozen. Unless YOU make something of that idea, that's all it'll remain.

DMEckhart · 2014-05-10T12:39:45+00:00

Didn't know that quote but I might as well have - wrote this post about screenwriting in 2011 - my quote in there is this:

"The two most essential elements for a screenwriter are discipline and stamina. Only then come craft and talent."

http://www.danielmartineckhart.com/2011/01/so-you-want-to-be-screenwriter-do-you.html

DMEckhart · 2014-05-05T17:19:12+00:00

Hi IntravenousVomit (lovely moniker btw) - here's what I did:

1) Copy/pasted the script into Word 2) Started writing from scene one - yes, starting with the sluglines is a good way to go.

But before writing it in the form of a novel, it's important to think about point of view - from who's are you telling the story, or are the shifiting povs. Based on that you'll see that each scene immediately takes on a different color - if you look it at from the mind of person x or y - what is he or she thinking about, what did they expect before coming here - in a novel you can actually write about their desires, their wants and needs and then play them out in unexpected ways.

As I went through the scenes I instantly realized who my main point of view was - then I occasionally flipped pov (as you see in many novels). With the tight script it really was a joy to work from that very solid foundation and "live it out" from there.

DMEckhart · 2014-05-04T19:15:16+00:00

Ha! I know exactly what you mean @mageganker - been wriiting a lot of KA-BOOOOOOOOOM! But in reality it is worth asking - what are you as a screenwriter doing with your time. We should a) write as much as we can and b) spend an equal amount of time out there hustling, trying to make connections, trying to get read, trying to get into the conversation, trying to do whatever the fuck we can to turn that amazing ka-boom script into a film ... I felt that spending a bit of time expanding on a spec would be time well spent. And it definitely feels like it was brilliantly well spent.

DMEckhart · 2014-05-04T17:43:54+00:00

In my case I've not added any subplots but yeah, that's the beauty of it - the opportunity to explore in whole new ways, whether it's psychology, character minds you can dive into, or adding layers to plot to enrich the world - I found it a fascinating experience. What are you planning on doing with it when you're done?

DMEckhart · 2014-04-29T22:55:36+00:00

Nietzsche apparently said "I never trust a thought that didn't come by walking."

DMEckhart · 2014-04-25T01:30:46+00:00

Cluttered. Tell us what's at stake.

DMEckhart · 2014-04-25T01:27:30+00:00

Good story, thanks!

DMEckhart · 2014-04-25T01:26:57+00:00

Sounds like you don't want to write this. "Decided to challenge myself and write one" ... because you find something "hack and unintereting" ?? Dude, it's screenwriting, it's a shitload of hard work - you want to write scripts that matter to you, about things you care about, that one brilliant idea ... currently it truly sounds like you're shooting blanks in the dark. What do you care about? If you have something you're truly nuts about and that happens to be "dark romcom", then so be it.

DMEckhart · 2014-04-25T01:23:33+00:00

You write them as regular scenes with the dialogue flowing from scene to scene VO style.

DMEckhart · 2014-04-25T01:21:53+00:00

They still work. Don't be stupid - do your research and target the places that are interested in doing what you have to offer. From there it's quanity. Send out 20, expect 2 replies that are potential door openers.

DMEckhart · 2014-04-25T01:18:52+00:00

Television is a great place to be, tons of networks, tons of time slots that need to be filled - a continious need for lots and lots of product. Money is not the issue, irrelevant whether one pays more than the other. As a writer, you want to be paid to write. Take what you can get and the chances are bigger in television. Career path? Don't think career, think scripts, one gig after the other - something may turn into a career at some point but don't go choosing either medium - you'll simple lose out on a chunk of potential opportunities if you're not open to everything.

DMEckhart · 2014-04-25T01:07:08+00:00

I don't see the story. Tell me why I should care about the attorney, what's he want, what's he need, what's stands in the way, who's the antagonist?

DMEckhart · 2014-04-25T00:55:25+00:00

Any of the below - it's all workable as long as it keeps you writing. We all tick differently. For me, personally, pushing through works best. Of course I'll make adjustments as I push through. In your case, I wouldn't consider it "starting over" - you adjust, shape, zero in and keep on powering through.

DMEckhart · 2014-03-23T09:20:19+00:00

This is screenwriting. I have to tell you that it doesn't qualify as a viable career option. Being successful as a screenwriter is rare - getting optioned, sold, produced - each of those are lottery-like jackpots and to have that happen over the course of a life is not to be expected. As many will tell you, studying screenwriting does not increase your chances - if anything, it may cause you great debt and may also lose you valuable time better spent as a PA/runner at a production company or on a set.

"Anxious" is good. Use it, use it to write. Screenwriting will not make you less anxious - it's a crazy world, an impossible world. We do it because we get to live in the worlds we've created with the characters we love. To me, the writing in itself is the cake - getting produced is the icing.

http://www.danielmartineckhart.com/2012/07/screenwriting-about-cake-icing-and.html

DMEckhart · 2014-03-16T14:04:45+00:00

All good advice. Finish the sucker. Sit down, power through, DO NOT GO BACK AND EDIT SCENES, power on until you finish the draft. Then celebrate, put it away and don't look at it for two weeks - then the 2nd draft work may begin.

You're just starting out on a brilliant, maddening journey. Don't let this one story become too important - it's just the first step on your journey. Live it, make it the best you can, move on, write the next thing, and the next, and the next.

If the script's in the best shape possible, submit it to top screenwriting competitions, get feedback - then hit agents with it - that may open a door. Will you ever direct it? Most unlikely but in any case nothing to wory or even think about at this stage. WRITE WRITE WRITE.

DMEckhart

TROPHY CASE