FrankenScript :: Lee Gabel's Screenwriting Journal/Blog

This film is fairly predictable, and the big question is what the central character will do. I think I’d probably do the same in his shoes. However, the performances are strong and the movie gives an interesting view how the US government treats soldiers who chose to fight for their country. After they’ve had enough [...]

As I wade through the current visual effects workload I have, I thought I’d start reading some books on screenwriting that I have taken note of with my limited free time. Since I’ll eventually get to the rewrite (hopefully before the Nicholls in May), I thought I’d take in “Writing for Emotional Impact” by Karl [...]

Excellent. Clint Eastwood is at the top of his form, both as an actor and director, in this compelling story of forgiveness (of one’s self), acceptance, and friendship. The performances by the largely unknown cast is completely convincing, and often entertaining. Eastwood seems right in his element. The ending delivers, but in a way you [...]

I took a well deserved rest from writing the first draft, and now I have gone back into the script and broken it down, and restructured it. I am going to eliminate some scenes, combine some others, and rework the dialogue. It’s going to take a while.

While certainly not bad, mediocre (on the low end of the scale) best describes this tale of a bully’s comeuppance by three highschool “Superbad” wannabe geeks. There are references from many films in this, including “My Bodyguard”, which is a MUCH better film that follows the same theme. This just speaks to how unoriginal and [...]

It always happens. I get set to do some real constructive (re)writing and a bunch of work drops on my lap. And I mean a bunch. Probably a couple months worth. I guess it’s a little like getting a writing contract, except it’s not writing. I can’t complain, because it’s the work that will pay [...]