Filmmaking: Free Screenplays

Here is a fantastic resource for you writers out there:  FREE links to the screenplays of every Oscar contender.

Screenwriting is a completely unique discipline. It feels as if you have to rewire your brain to think in script form with all its formatting peculiarities. If I were trying to explain or teach someone how to do it, simple instructions would be nearly impossible on the more subjective elements. How much detail should I give in my action blocks? Should I include any camera/framing directions? Personally I've found nothing is better for finding the sweet spot and getting your mind into the creative rhythm of a script than reading an abundance of screenplays by the writers I enjoy the most or from a specific film that I loved; to see how it translated from page to screen.

The Year Ahead 1.2.17

2017 is here and I'm guessing we all welcomed it in with open arms! Just like you, we have some hopes and aspirations for the new year.

Podcast

As long as our listeners continue to grow, we'll keep producing episodes of Talk Hard. We've been happy with the response we've gotten from you fine people and we appreciate it you mightily. We have massive interviews in the works, lots of new ideas to make the show even better and some great episodes lined up, so keep listening for those. This week we'll record a big wrap-up/look-ahead for 2016/2017 and I think you're going to like it.

WSF Biz

One of the best parts of the podcast is that we can keep you posted on any and all filmmaking endeavors as they happen. So, on the first Talk Hard of the year, we'll divulge developments and announcements on what we've got going; including a certain group of misfit lawmen from the future whose TV show was produced in the past.

Good luck out there everybody! Let's do this year right please.

Filmmaking: 3 One-Light Set-Ups

My favorite cinematography tips are the simple kind because whether I'm on the job or making a short film, we are normally 1) short on time 2) short on manpower 3) short on equipment. So, anytime I can improve my shots and add style in fast and easy ways, I'm going to take notice.

Here are three highly stylized looks using only one light. Yes, they are often used in music videos as the title says, but you should flex that imagination and use them for any application that fits.

Random Film Thoughts #7

Anthony Davis has a 7'2" wingspan. Tim Curry has his face.

Some people are blessed with physical traits that predetermine their path in life. The height/bulk/athleticism of pro athlete, the pipes of a voiceover artist... They're blessed directly from the womb with undeniable gifts. Such is the case with Tim Curry's elastic face and baritone voice.

One of my primary enjoyments of Christmas movie season is knowing I'll get to catch this scene from Home Alone 2 multiple times. Can one or two facial expressions make an entire movie? In this case, yes. Curry amazes me and this is one of those tiny little moments in film that you know are perfect.

Cyber Monday's News and Notes

It's Cyber Monday?

And you want to give the gift of Independent Cinema to all your friends and loved ones??

Holy moly, did you come to the right place or what. Right now you can get a Cannonball DVD for the low, low price of $10 (every penny of which still funds our filmmaking endeavors). Heck, you can even get one with pages from the original shooting script! Tony didn't seem that interested.

In Other News...

The Talk Hard podcast took a week off for holiday purposes but will hopefully return in resplendent glory this week.

Space Cops editing is still underway and slowly but surely we are approaching a release date for multiple new episodes...  and T-shirts!

The Week Ahead 11.7.16

We've returned from Paducah! Not as conquering heroes, but certainly with rejuvenated souls, full hearts, and carrying 10 extra pounds. I'm sure we'll have plenty of stories from the weekend to share with you on the next couple of Talk Hard podcasts. Speaking of...

Tuesday

Tuesday is podcast day and you should get excited about this episode of Talk Hard. While in majestic Lower Town, we managed to wrangle Landee Bryant-Greene and steal an hour of her precious time to record an interview. It's a great look at the inner workings of a film festival, plus all our normal nonsense. You're going to like it.

Wednesday

We'll try to have something special for your Indie Wednesday; likely with a Rivers Edge Film Fest theme. Maybe our short, maybe our friends'?

The Week Ahead 10.31.16

It's Rivers Edge Film Fest week!!! That means, after today, we'll be consumed by all things Paducah! Primo sandwiches and giant cinnamon rolls lie in our immediate future, but what about you fine people? You didn't think we'd leave you behind did you? Take the journey with us on Facebook and Instagram as we try to beast the social medias starting Thursday evening.

Monday

Happy Halloween, creeps! If you love the 31st like we do, today is your day and we hooked you up with the first ever Talk Hard Halloween Pod Special!! Jump over there and check it out.

Tuesday

Maybe... maybe... another Halloween surprise from us to you.

Wednesday

We plan to follow up that huge Halloween Pod Special with a Beyond the Show post to shed further light on some of what was discussed. I mean... The Paul Lynde Halloween Special?? Yes, we have clips.

Thursday

Todd, Al, and myself hit the Bluegrass Parkway at noon and head West! Paducah here we come. We'll likely pop by the festival's welcome party before venturing out on into the night for grub. For the past three years, the Thursday night dinner slot has gone to Pizza By the Pound. We'll see if that holds true this year and if Todd will take The Pounder Challenge!!

Friday/Saturday

Film Festin' alllll dang day. The Todd Sheene written and directed short film, Rural Legend plays in the cherry time slot at 7pm in the Maiden Alley Cinema. (And also at 11am in Yeiser Art Center on Saturday which zero people will attend. Not even whoever is supposed to run the projector.) At some point during these two days, we'll be recording at least two episodes of Talk Hard. We have guests and interviews lined up that you're going to like and we're super excited about it!

Thanks for listening and watching and reading, folks. It really does keep us going. So check back in throughout the week and keep your eyes on the Facebook and Instagram accounts starting Thursday night.

Indie Wednesday: Spooky Club

LANGUAGE WARNING

Here's something to get you primed for Halloween. Spooky Club may not be the best short film you've ever seen and the Wes Anderson influence is working overtime, BUT...  For all you filmmakers out there, this is what I would suggest you take away from Spooky Club: production design is everything. 90% of what makes Spooky Time work was done before the first frame was ever shot.

The Week Ahead 10.24.16

Monday

It's National Bologna Day, y'all! So get out there and give your children some nightmare-inducing bologna faces! Maybe eat half of a bologna sandwich which should satisfy any bologna cravings you have until at least Bologna Day 2019. (Unless you're deeply disturbed Walk Softly actor Ron Parritt who has an intense and inexplicable obsession with this "meat" product.)

Tuesday

Tuesdays are pod days!! And get hyped because it's a Mt. Rushmore week on Talk Hard! We'll be picking the four greatest characters in the history of film. I'll go ahead and tell you, our mountain probably wouldn't look like yours.

Wednesday

Indie Wednesday! Check back in and we'll try to have another nice short film cherry picked from the cyberverse for you.

Thursday-Friday

Ehh... Get back to me. We might have a nice filmmaking post late in the week. We'll see.

Beyond the Show - Talk Hard 20

On the twentieth episode of Talk Hard, we named our Top 10 Television Shows of all time and compared them to Rolling Stones' recent Top 100 list which was rife with egregious error. I'll give you all three of our lists here in written form. As a side note, Saturday Night Live was a unanimous choice and we all agreed that the Phil Hartman casts were the best era of the show, so... that's decided. You're welcome.

Allen

Kolchak the Night Stalker

• The Andy Griffith Show
• The Office
• Seinfeld*
• Breaking Bad
• Mystery Science Theater 3000
• SNL*
• Chappelle's Show
• Arrested Development*
• WWE Raw
• Sons of Anarchy

Todd

• Seinfeld*
• Breaking Bad
• SNL*
• The Wonderful World of Disney
• Kolchak the Night Stalker
• Arrested Development*
• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Good Times
• Happy Days
• News Radio

Scott

• Mad Men
• Seinfeld*
• The Wonder Years
• MST3K
• SNL*
• Late Nite with David Letterman
• Arrested Development*
• The Simpsons
• The Muppet Show

The lists are in no particular order, but The Andy Griffith Show, Seinfeld, and Mad Men are our respective favorites overall.

*Unanimous choices