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SCRIPT NOTES, EXPLAINED!: DIALOGUE CUES

12/2/2024

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Picture
Using dialogue cues like (V.O.), (O.S.), and (O.C.) effectively can be a tricky skill to master, but it's essential for crafting a script that fully immerses the audience. Nailing these cues ensures your viewer stays grounded in the scene, enhancing the way they experience your character’s journey and the world around them. ​

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Script Notes, Explained!: SHOW, DON'T TELL

11/4/2024

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T-Rex From Jurassic Park, breaking through an electric fence
What does “Show, Don’t Tell” really mean in the context of cinema, and how can you incorporate it into your script? In today's Script Notes, EXPLAINED!, we break down the concept using the opening scene from Steven Spielberg's JURASSIC PARK. Let's see how this film uses this technique to create tension and intrigue the audience from the very beginning.

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Script Notes, Explained!: THE INCITING INCIDENT

10/28/2024

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Image from WALL-E of WALL-E on earth looking at the stars
Creating a goal for your character is the first step in driving the narrative forward, as it gives them a clear motivation that shapes their actions, decisions, and development throughout the story.

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Script Notes, Explained!: EXPOSITION

10/21/2024

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Image from Inception with Leonardo DiCaprio and Elliott Page
Conveying the history of your character or world can be a challenging task to get right. However, mastering this skill is a crucial step in creating a script that immerses the audience in your character's story.

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REVIEW: THE COLOR PURPLE (2023)

1/1/2024

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The Color Purple (2023) Review by The Professional Pen

THE COLOR PURPLE - A lesson in connecting character arcs to theme. #SpoilerAlert

I have experienced every iteration of Miss Celie's story:
- The novel 
- The film
- The Broadway Tour ft. Fantasia (at the Pantages in Los Angeles in 2009. Fun Fact: This was the show that reintroduced me to my love for musical theater. It's why I eventually quit my job as an exec at The Syfy Channel and became a touring, performing artist myself. 😉)
- The Tony-award winning Broadway revival ft. Cynthia Erivo
​

Each iteration takes the epistolary novel of Celie writing letters to God and Nettie writing letters to Celie and turns them into strong vignettes throughout time as Celie learns to love herself, find joy, forgive, and trust God. 

Because the story is told this way, you may find it hard to follow the structure. It leaps through time with a mostly inactive protagonist. So why does it work? 👇🏾

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REVIEW: CANDY CANE LANE

12/24/2023

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Film Analysis of Candy Cane Lane by The Professional Pen
A lesson in inactive protagonists. This story could've worked, but the execution is so poor.
​

Rotten Tomatoes: 45%
IMDB: 5.6/10

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REVIEW: DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW

12/23/2023

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Film Analysis of Dashing Through the Snow by The Professional Pen
​A lesson in reveals. The reveal does not work to the story's benefit.  Let's get straight into it. #SpoilerAlert
​

Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
IMDB: 5.5/10

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REVIEW: LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

12/18/2023

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Film Analysis of Leave the World Behind by The Professional Pen
Let's talk breaking the rules. #SpoilerAlert

Rotten Tomatoes: 75%

IMDB: 6.6/10

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REVIEW: the blackening

11/28/2023

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The Blackening movie review from The Professional Pen
THE BLACKENING - I'm late to the party, but I'm here.

On my way to the ATL for business, I was able to watch THE BLACKENING on my Delta flight. Delta usually has the best and most diverse viewing library. Shout out to them. 

Let's discuss black horror films 👇🏾

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