@@bradebronson8835 Thanks for the advice. And you are right, breathing is essential not just for functioning but also for our sense of inner happiness, if you will, and that's why I meditate. What are you working on now?
Amazing interview. Battlefield Earth was a seminal work of screenwriting. It really pushed the boundaries of what a writer can get away with. The genre defying content shoveled out of Hollywood couldn't be made without Mandells breakthrough work.
After many years of chasing the money and being afraid to listen to that true voice inside of you, I can feel the great life lesson being displayed here in this video. I would name this video "Life Courage". Bravo Corey. Many people go to the grave not understanding what is important to make you truly happy in life. Great video. I've learned a lot more than writing.
This is the most engaging, value drenched interview I've listened to in a year of tracking the subject (& your channel!). Many Thanks, Corey Mandell. Food for Life. 🎗💛🎗
I’ll never forget what he said about the relation between authentic self, being rejected, and true potential. Without question that’s the greatest advice I’ll ever hear in my life. Period. I know that we can never know what we don’t know, but I know that’s the greatest advice I’ve ever heard, and the only advice I’ll ever truly have needed to hear.
Just started this. It's a long interview which I love. I hope he sees that he has the time to break down the engine. Thank you for your educational content. You are a large part of my film school!
Love to hear it. Also nice to see that you enjoy the full interviews. We are in the process of finishing up several interviews. So there will be more full interviews going up on the channel in the next few weeks.
@@filmcourage I'll be watching. There's great nuggets in short- form. But the gold is always in long-form for me. Thank you for your passion and caring enough to ask great questions. Also for giving your interviewees the space and proper environment to speak in depth.
**First 35 minutes Outlined** (I may or may not do more over the next numerous days or this could be my last post).... 5:20---5:56 Components of a Good Pilot Script 7:31 Unknown Writers & Concept / Brand 8:20 Nail the Concept by Page 10 of Pilot Script 8:49---9:05 Proof of Concept 11:08---12:25 Proof of Concept Cont'd 13:22---13:51 Recommendations for writing a good pilot script. 16:08---21:43 Know the business before writing a pilot script. 23:14---23:49 Try working backwards (i.e. figure out the first season then write the pilot script). 24:27---26:33 Script Testing 28:57---35:09 Script Testing Cont'd & Essential Context
**Up through 1st Hour Outlined** 36:50---37:27 Properly Testing a Pilot Script 38:25 (Script Testing Questions): coreymandell.net/script-testing/ 40:58---50:48 98% of Screenplays Rejected (by Industry) After the 1st Scene & The Job of Writers 51:00---56:41 Change in the Industry (Pilot writing) & Brand Loyalty 57:21---57:34 Qualities of Pilot Scripts in Demand 59:16---1:00:01 Fear of Rejection 1:00:53---1:04:57 How to Launch a Career in the Current Marketplace (Writer Courage) 1:05:58---1:08:51 Concept & Story, told in a unique way (Emotional Connection & Story cannot be Predictable) *NewYorker Article* (Slo-Mo Specificity of "Atlanta"): www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/09/19/the-slo-mo-specificity-of-atlanta
You all are missing out on a FANTASTIC, almost 3 hour, video on *Film Courage 2* titled: *How To Write And Direct A Great Movie - Michael Hauge & Mark W. Travis*
23:00 writing the characters and designing the season then going back to write the pilot... I just watched several seasons of Animal Kingdom then watched the first ep again. Characters behaved EXACTLY as you would imagine they would after having known them for three seasons.
Your story about meeting Ridley Scott was great. I worked for RCA Records back in 1978 (when I was 23) and I got to meet James Cagney. I saw him a few times during the day, but was in the elevator and he walked in with his entourage. We were face to face and he looks up at me and says "How ya doing there big fella?". I've met numerous famous people over the years, but this was the first time that I was mute. All Cagney's movie scenes were playin in my head at the same time. He smiled politely and looked away. When the elevator doors opened, I was frozen in place watching him walk away. I felt like an idiot. Is that being star struck? He must have thought that it was nice of RCA to hire mentally changed people.
Greetings from Chicago🌭 YOU AND I ARE THE SAME AGE VANDAN ❗️ HOLD ON AS I FREEFALL INTO THIS CUL- DE- SAC OF REMEMBRANCE……. TO HOPEFULLY REMIND YOU AND I ……….. SOMETHING IMPORTANT.❗️ IN 1978…. I WAS EXPLODING INSIDE WITH MOVIE IDEAS AND GREAT POSTER ART IDEAS ❗️ I HAD A MILLION GREAT SONGS AND STORIES STOMPING THROUGH MY VEINS…AS WELL❗️ I REMEMBER BEING LAID OFF MY SUMMER JOB AS A SEASONAL PAINTER IN THE GROUNDSKEEPING DEPARTMENT AT THE VA HOSPITAL JUST NORTH OF CHICAGO. I REMEMBER …… BREAKING UP WITH MY GIRLFRIEND IN 1978 AND STAYING UP LATE ……. TRYING ACID FOR THE FIRST TIME 😮 …… WITH A SAILOR NAMED MICHAEL….. AND LATER THAT DAY I REMEMBER …. BEING BUZZED OUT OF MY MIND😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫 BUYING A ONE WAY AMTRAK TICKET TO ORLANDO WITH MY LAST 75 DOLLARS ……..😳 HITCHHIKING FROM ORLANDO TO FORT LAUDERDALE ……. TO SEARCH FOR ………..AND FIND…….. JAMEAL TROTMAN; THE BROTHER OF THE GUY THAT GAVE ME MY FIRST ( and my last👀)“ STAR BLOTTER “TO GET HIGH. I WAS TOLD BY MICHAEL; HIS YOUNGER BROTHER THAT JAMEAL WOULD GET ME A GOOD JOB IN FORT LAUDERDALE…… BUT ALL I HAD WAS HIS NUMBER❗️ MIRACULOUSLY; JAMEAL TURNED OUT TO BE LIVING ONLY ONE-BLOCK FROM THE RESTAURANT I CALLED HIM FROM WITH MY LAST DIME . I REMEMBER AS I STUMBLED IN; AFTER STEPPING FROM THE DARKEST NIGHT ….. OVER DEAD ARMADILLO ROAD KILL…….AND BABY ALLIGATORS NESTING IN THE TALL GRASS OFF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE…… JAMEAL PULLED UP TO THE RESTAURANT IN A NEW WHITE 1978 MONTE CARLO❗️ FIRST THING HE SAID WAS “ NATE❓GET IN❗️” “ YOU GOT ANY MONEY?” HE SAYS…… I SAID…. NO I SPENT MY LAST DIME CALLING YOU.. laughing! HE PASSED ME A UNFOLDED, NEW ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL AND I REMEMBER HIM SAYING: “ YOU REMIND ME OF ME WHEN I HITCHHIKED FROM CHICAGO YEARS AGO…….. AND NOW… IVE GOT INTO THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS….. YOULE DO ALRIGHT HERE, JUST STICK WITH ME.” SOOOOO, 46 YEARS LATER, I SIT HERE AT 1:31 am AT MY KITCHEN TABLE…… A HEALTHY, NEWLY FIRED SUBCONTRACTOR ( long story ….. and NO I’ve done nothing wrong besides working for billion dollar industries who take advantage of their power❗️) ANYWAY, IM NOT RELIGIOUS……. BUT I LEARNED HOW TO PRAY! …….. so …. I’ll be just fine!! WELL…….. I’M BACK IN THE SAME HOUSE I LIVED IN 1978❗️ US 2 OLD NAVY VETS; MY OLDER BROTHER AND I OWN IT NOW.😊 COMMENTING TO YOU OFF YOUR 3 YEAR OLD COMMENT…………. TO REMIND YOU ……. HOW LUCKY YOU WERE TO HAVE BEEN “ WORKING”AT IN THE INDUSTRY THAT DREAMERS AND HITCHHIKERS LIKE ME JUST …… DREAM ABOUT❗️…… lol AFTER ALL THIS TIME, AS A SELF TAUGHT JAZZ COMPOSER, SHORT STORY, WRITER, AND INVENTOR…….. IVE FINALLY FOUND THE TIME TO WORK ON THAT NOVEL, ……. DEBUT MY ALBUM SOON ……. WORK ON MY CONCEPT OF AN ORIGINAL SHORT FILM, ……… AND EVEN DEVISE A DEVICE TO MARKET …………SOME DAY👀 HOWEVER….. YOUR ONE ON ONE WITH MR.CAGNEY……… AND MY 46 YEAR OLD JOURNEY BACK TO MY HOMETOWN WHERE I STARTED……. REMINDS US BOTH……. THAT UNTIL WERE GONE……….🪦 WHATEVER CUL-DE-SAC WE WANDER IN……. WE ALWAYS HAVE TIME TO REGRET, REWRITE, …….. AND REMEMBER ❗️ something Mr. Cagney left ……… to both of us to do … James Cagney; July 17, 1899 to March 30,1986 ….. our Yankee Doodle Do or Die Guy❤ Just Sayin 🤷🏿♂️ Thank you too FILM COURAGE for re- inviting this SUPER- NOVA PHENOMENON MR. MANDELL❗️❗️❗️ ……. and Karen ….. your sultry voice is as smooth as your in-depth questions❗️❗️ Keep these master classes coming you guys….. …… nothings even gets close….. except “the “ FILM RIOT”…. Channel highlighting the details in filmmaking behind the scenes ❗️❗️❗️ God bless 🕯️ 🎼 RAIN AGAIN 🎼
I have read many books on screenwriting, and Corey is the only one who has addressed a number of topics which have been right on the money. One in particular, and this I felt for a long time though couldn't expound upon it like Corey has, is the fallacy of "if you want to get better at writing, you need to write more". Its a half-truth. I look forward to one day taking classes from him online. And as an added bonus, he seems like a genuinely good guy to boot!
"You become so afraid of rejection, you reject who you really are." Woah. This dude is teaching a masterclass on becoming a screenwriter and I get to watch it for free on UA-cam.Thanks Film Courage!
This is a great interview! I'm just wondering how there can be so much trash on the market when companies are supposedly looking for "amazing, unique" scripts to be honest.
This interview blew me away! Corey has so many insightful gems that he's dropping!! From 57:30-1:02:10 is one of the most inspiring things I've ever heard! Great interview!
Thank you Film Courage so much for this, so awesome!!!! Slightly unrelated request; please consider doing an interview with Bradford Young. I think viewers would love to see what he looks for in a script before committing to a film.
@@filmcourage Also my comment was supposed to be an absurdist compliment in nature (eg oceans of content, 3hr interview. Moar!). Sorry if it didnt come off that way.
That part between 01:01:00 an 01:02:18 is just beautifully honest and touching. How his voice changes, you feel how it is still something he chews on a little - while totally knowing the truth of his decision back then. How hard and brave it is ... to not be brave... to not be able to pursue this way and finally putting an end to it. The strength of accepting a so called weakness makes you strong again. That was a pitch perfect authentic talk of him ...
@@taylorgavinchuk2285 that said, i signed up for his course but had to postpone due to COVID (didn't get it myself, but work in Healthcare). Can't wait to learn from him whenever life reverts to the new normal.
What incredible information in this interview. Just listening to the first 30 minutes already has me writing important details to a concept I’ve been working on the past few months. I don’t know what I would have done without this channel!
59:30 + You can be so afraid of rejection that you change your writing to contour what you believe someone else is looking for [paraphrasing]. ... 'Courage is so important. ... To really hit your full potential, you have to be okay with being rejected.' The anecdote where he found the discarded Ferris Buehler script with the negative, misguided coverage is worth watching the whole video for by itself. Love the 'Pitch-Perfect Authentic' target / mandate. Great interview!
3:08:30 or thereabouts.... Corey, the storyteller, relates one to us about the Boss. I listen for minutes.... The first album, the second one.... It goes on.... And the reason why the 3rd album was so good.... I'm still listening, waiting for the climax. Which never arrived like a gunshot with utmost clarity and precision. And that's good story telling?
@59:41 "People who are so terrified of rejection can become the kind of person who it's hard to reject but the person they become is not who they really are. So the fear of rejection can lead people to reject themselves."
I have difficulty watching videos or reading books about screenwriting by people who I've never heard of. This guy has two credits as a writer on IMDb and one of those is scientology's "Battlefield Earth" from 2000.
I paused @ around 20min just to be able to say... 30min to describe what an "engine" means for a tv-show... in a 3hr+ interview, already full of repetitions-- _YOU HAVE TIME_ to explain it (!!!) Nah, but I get it... You've put it in a book, or some other material, you need to _sell_ for profit - so you can't just reveal on youtube how _simple_ it is. Still... Awesome interview - awesome channel... It just busts my chops that you even have an interview to talk about it, if you're not going to tell us about it anyway - just plug your stuff coming out in a near future. Ofc, I might be proven wrong if I keep watching (I just highly doubt it).
I like the five minute rule. You can use that in anything really. I watch these cause I like to listen and learn even though I'm not currently pursuing film ot writing. But you get some life lessons that can really help. My wife and I keep the bedroom for 3 things. One needs to stop. No more phone before bed in the bedroom will better assist with sleeping.
This interview was absolutely invaluable and it gave me so many ideas and tips and honestly confidence that I CAN break through to the industry if I follow my instincts. Thank you so much for uploading it and thank you, Corey, for this goldmine!!!
It boggles the mind to think how many great scripts have been lost because someone couldn't see past the first page. What if it's a deliberate slow burner?
I just signed up for his workshop in March of 2021. As an unpublished, unfinished writer, I can barely wait for the opportunity to learn the secrets he alludes to in this interview.
On script reading - I'm UK based and determined to find some sort of script reading internship. I don't have connections so I've girded my loins for cold calls. When preparing sample coverage, should it be on an already-made/known spec or something obscure (say a friend who's given permission)?
Is anyone else bothered by the fact that he won’t define what he means by engine? It’s obvious he’s trying to direct traffic to his site to sell us something, which is fine but he should’ve at least give us a summary that entices us to learn more. I highly doubt that his “engine” is too complex to succinctly explain in a 3 hour long video. Besides that I like what he’s said so far so I’m gonna keep watching but that really puts me off.
Corey gives us so much in this interview that it is easy for us to forgive him for that one. We all knew this was going to be a longer interview to begin with and he wanted to move onto the other topics. There is great commentary on the story engine in the segment of this video here - ua-cam.com/video/YLeKjsteXQk/v-deo.html
His methods are his bread and butter. He believes he knows a secret, or a formula, to TV writing. He has every right to protect it. Besides, if you watch a lot of TV, the engine concept isn't terribly elusive. An engine is a device that converts fuel into energy via a catalyst. Apply that to any medium, TV, film, novel, and you'll see the patterns pretty quickly. The difference between film and TV is that the TV engine has to be built for endurance. Take the X-Files for instance. Mulder and Scully are polar opposites, but their relationship is built on respect. That's the engine for the show. The conflict that arises between their frames of reference is the catalyst for each episode. That's the spark that drives one piston down, and it's linked pair up.
He doesn’t know. He’s no longer a screenwriter. He had one movie that’s known as the worst movie of all time by nearly everyone who’s seen it. This is all a grift. There are too many established writers giving advice to ever trust this.
This is one of the greatest interviews, on the business side, ever uploaded to the internet. And when that part happened I literally admired the fact that he was visibly uncomfortable at the request, having one single thing that he’s not going to share unless you go through the proper channels, and it wasn’t even for that reason it was because he didn’t have time.
Anybody have the link to the Donald Glover article he referenced. Thanks Film Courage. Edit: I do. www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/donald-glover-cant-save-you
If you mean can you write stories with these characters in them and try to sell them? No. They are copyrighted and to do so could land you in a lot of legal trouble. Now writing scripts just for fun with them wouldn't be an issue so long as no profit was made.
It’s hard to trust when his only known writing credit is for Battlefield Earth (which is literally the worst movie I’ve ever seen in my life and that’s not hyperbole for the sake of this comment). It’d be different if he rebounded with a solid screenwriting career of produced work, but I just don’t see how this person is worthy of this position? I’m not trying to be rude in any way, I genuinely don’t understand.
If you’re wondering what Corey means by ‘Engine’, then ask yourself what an engine does ! The engine powers your story through multiple episodes/series and you steer it.
@tolo nola for a story to keep your interest. Something must be wrong or there wouldnt be a story. You also need individual contrast in every scene so they make it through your story climax
He really pushing his site. I saw a simple explanation that engine is what generates energy in the story, creates new events. In breaking bad that would be at first from Walter White's bad luck, new obstacles and dangers popping up as soon as the previous one was dealt with, nothing ever going smoothly. Eventually it is also combined with Walter's pride causing him to push it further when it seems that things are stabilizing
This guy sure has a lot to say for being a subpar writer who only ever wrote two bad movies in the late 90s. I've been watching film courage for a long time and only today i had the curiosity to go and check his credentials, i can't take him seriously anymore.
Hi Lisa, there is some good discussion on the engine and concept in the comment section of the video segment here - ua-cam.com/video/YLeKjsteXQk/v-deo.html
Karen, can you try to find us an example of a story engine in one of your next interviews? I feel like all we need is one example even if it’s not explained in depth. Specifically, I bet if an interviewee can answer what the story engine is for finding Nemo, then we’d all easily be able to go from there
At this current day and age (2021, coronavirus and quarantine are still a thing) the living in LA or not living in AL is no longer that relevant, now that people have discovered Zoom meetings. Unless the writer is also a producer/actor/any other more hands on occupation that is working full-time on the field (or you just like the place or have other commitments that keep you from moving elsewhere) I really don't see a reason to be living in LA all year round. The 'you have to physically attend the meetings' argument is no longer relevant. Edit: lmao nvm turns out he actually addressed that right after I continued the vid lol
Don't dangle "engine" over and over just to pitch your other channel. Lame. You could have given one simple explanation for Breaking Bad. You should be able to do that. If not, spare us your self important Mr. Mystery role. And then you talked in cliches for 3 hours, but did not have time for one example? I'm out.
This honestly frustrated the fuck out of me one it bothered me he couldn't simply summarize what an engine is even if it took a bit long second some of the information frustrated me I've created an entire universe of characters I could summarize my entire universe but to break it down season by season for someone would frustrate the fuck out of me overall i learned alot but I'm also frustrated I don't really ever have issues with coming up with original material that's childs play to me what I have an issue with is the amount of idea's that overwhelm me coming up with names is an issue continuing stories is an issue I have a habit of starting something then starting another and another then coming back later to add to it then start something also i try not to get attached to Character also i typically like to give away or sell my worse least favorite characters in order to program myself to make characters i consider to be the worse character the best to expand them make them better also by giving away or selling characters i consider to be awful characters when and if they get denied im not emotionally involved quite frankly by doing things this way I focus on what the studio wants and the profit even starting out i know studios are ridiculously awful to work with as an artist it's best to not be emotionally involved with your characters until you have full control over your work because you can pour your heart and soul in your work only for the studio to come in and make changes and you just end up feeling hurt
So they all read your script for free, steal the best ideas from it for other projects, and then force you to keep churning out new material constantly for them on the slim hope they might eventually buy some of it? You could've written a book or two that you own the rights to, for which they would pay you for the right to adapt into a movie (which you could write the script for and get paid again).
Man he can define an engine in terms of what exactly it is especially in the case of the example Breaking bad. He just wants traffic to his site it seems. 🙄
His evasiveness about an engine is one of the worst things that made me immediately distrust him. And for the record, it's a lie. They don't send you any information at all if you ask for it. An engine is a source of conflict that drives the show over seasons. 1. Battlestar Galactica: the cylons hunting the colonial fleet. 2. Star Wars: the empire vs rebellion; sith vs jedi 3. Lost in space: the search for home. It's the core that drives a show. Each season has many engines but one engine is the biggest.
This guy dosen't like giving interviews. I love this channel but this video is sketchy. Don't waste your time folks, he dosen't want to spill the beans! Lol.
Incredibly thankful I will be able to create a film without all this dumbing down for lowest common denominator filtering of the gatekeepers. If my film plot is too complicated for you, MOVE ON! Bye! 😂🎉😂
That guy is rambling about the craft and doesn‘t say anything of value! Mere generalities, tropisms, doesn‘t even want (my guess is he doesn‘t know) to tell the difference between a high concept and an engine. Dude! What are you here for?? It would be like trying to learn how to be a great cook from a list of groceries... As if no one knows you have to nail the characters, the story, the first 10 pages, the concept, the engine! My advice : don’t waste your time here, there is nothing of value and the guy keeps selling himself and refering to his assistant🤮
I think Rian Johnson could learn a lot in your class about organic storytelling. Actually every writer at Disney and Amazon desperately needs to take your class on organic storytelling.
it is indeed your problem to see writing as a highly competitive sport, everything you said is the feature of a involution business. NO you don't need 10/10 to land a career in writing or anything, you simply need tons of 6/10 to A/B test.
![Essential Skill Sets Screenwriters Need To Write Professionally - Corey Mandell [FULL INTERVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hZgWw5juPJ8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Essential Skill Sets Screenwriters Need To Write Professionally - Corey Mandell [FULL INTERVIEW]](/img/tr.png)
![What You Don't Learn In Film School - Shane Stanley [FULL INTERVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VBcQVQ2ZaMI/mqdefault.jpg)
Check out Corey Mandell's 1st full video interview on UA-cam here:
ua-cam.com/video/hZgWw5juPJ8/v-deo.html
Hello.
Is there any guideline for protecting and selling fiction characters like those of X men and marvels ?
This is the one I’ve come back to most. I truly love this man
Film Courage has the best informative screenwriting content in the whole internet. And I'm subbed to many many others.
you cannot fail if you are reading and "Applying" what they are giving you a blue print for.
Whole internet, can confirm.
‘Whole internet’ is a very big statement. You can’t know that. It would be better if you said ‘that I have seen on the internet’.
@@Mr.Monta77 Don't take everything too literally... you'll live longer and be happier that way. Just breath. It's ok.
@@bradebronson8835 Thanks for the advice. And you are right, breathing is essential not just for functioning but also for our sense of inner happiness, if you will, and that's why I meditate. What are you working on now?
Amazing interview. Battlefield Earth was a seminal work of screenwriting. It really pushed the boundaries of what a writer can get away with. The genre defying content shoveled out of Hollywood couldn't be made without Mandells breakthrough work.
After many years of chasing the money and being afraid to listen to that true voice inside of you, I can feel the great life lesson being displayed here in this video. I would name this video "Life Courage". Bravo Corey. Many people go to the grave not understanding what is important to make you truly happy in life. Great video. I've learned a lot more than writing.
This is the most engaging, value drenched interview I've listened to in a year of tracking the subject (& your channel!). Many Thanks, Corey Mandell. Food for Life. 🎗💛🎗
This is probably our best interview of the year. Corey was tremendous from start to finish. Thanks for the comment.
@@filmcourage hands down. but so many great interviews with jems hidden all over.
@@filmcourage I agree. I enjoy a lot of your interviews, I should say, love what you do.
Agreed.. And I'm just seeing it now!
I’ll never forget what he said about the relation between authentic self, being rejected, and true potential. Without question that’s the greatest advice I’ll ever hear in my life. Period. I know that we can never know what we don’t know, but I know that’s the greatest advice I’ve ever heard, and the only advice I’ll ever truly have needed to hear.
Just started this. It's a long interview which I love. I hope he sees that he has the time to break down the engine. Thank you for your educational content. You are a large part of my film school!
Love to hear it. Also nice to see that you enjoy the full interviews. We are in the process of finishing up several interviews. So there will be more full interviews going up on the channel in the next few weeks.
@@filmcourage I'll be watching. There's great nuggets in short- form. But the gold is always in long-form for me. Thank you for your passion and caring enough to ask great questions. Also for giving your interviewees the space and proper environment to speak in depth.
"Here's the secret to writing but I don't have time to explain it to you (in a 3 hour interview).
Ok. Thanks. That's really helpful.
**First 35 minutes Outlined** (I may or may not do more over the next numerous days or this could be my last post)....
5:20---5:56 Components of a Good Pilot Script
7:31 Unknown Writers & Concept / Brand
8:20 Nail the Concept by Page 10 of Pilot Script
8:49---9:05 Proof of Concept
11:08---12:25 Proof of Concept Cont'd
13:22---13:51 Recommendations for writing a good pilot script.
16:08---21:43 Know the business before writing a pilot script.
23:14---23:49 Try working backwards (i.e. figure out the first season then write the pilot script).
24:27---26:33 Script Testing
28:57---35:09 Script Testing Cont'd & Essential Context
**Up through 1st Hour Outlined**
36:50---37:27 Properly Testing a Pilot Script
38:25 (Script Testing Questions): coreymandell.net/script-testing/
40:58---50:48 98% of Screenplays Rejected (by Industry) After the 1st Scene & The Job of Writers
51:00---56:41 Change in the Industry (Pilot writing) & Brand Loyalty
57:21---57:34 Qualities of Pilot Scripts in Demand
59:16---1:00:01 Fear of Rejection
1:00:53---1:04:57 How to Launch a Career in the Current Marketplace (Writer Courage)
1:05:58---1:08:51 Concept & Story, told in a unique way (Emotional Connection & Story cannot be Predictable)
*NewYorker Article* (Slo-Mo Specificity of "Atlanta"): www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/09/19/the-slo-mo-specificity-of-atlanta
You all are missing out on a FANTASTIC, almost 3 hour, video on *Film Courage 2* titled: *How To Write And Direct A Great Movie - Michael Hauge & Mark W. Travis*
23:00 writing the characters and designing the season then going back to write the pilot... I just watched several
seasons of Animal Kingdom then watched the first ep again. Characters behaved EXACTLY as you would imagine they would after having known them for three seasons.
Your story about meeting Ridley Scott was great. I worked for RCA Records back in 1978 (when I was 23) and I got to meet James Cagney. I saw him a few times during the day, but was in the elevator and he walked in with his entourage. We were face to face and he looks up at me and says "How ya doing there big fella?". I've met numerous famous people over the years, but this was the first time that I was mute. All Cagney's movie scenes were playin in my head at the same time. He smiled politely and looked away. When the elevator doors opened, I was frozen in place watching him walk away. I felt like an idiot. Is that being star struck? He must have thought that it was nice of RCA to hire mentally changed people.
Greetings from Chicago🌭
YOU AND I ARE THE SAME AGE VANDAN ❗️
HOLD ON AS I FREEFALL INTO THIS CUL- DE- SAC OF REMEMBRANCE…….
TO HOPEFULLY REMIND YOU AND I ………..
SOMETHING IMPORTANT.❗️
IN 1978…. I WAS EXPLODING INSIDE WITH MOVIE IDEAS AND GREAT POSTER ART IDEAS ❗️
I HAD A MILLION GREAT SONGS AND STORIES STOMPING THROUGH MY VEINS…AS WELL❗️
I REMEMBER BEING LAID OFF MY SUMMER JOB AS A SEASONAL PAINTER IN THE GROUNDSKEEPING DEPARTMENT AT THE VA HOSPITAL JUST NORTH OF CHICAGO.
I REMEMBER ……
BREAKING UP WITH MY GIRLFRIEND IN 1978 AND STAYING UP LATE …….
TRYING ACID FOR THE FIRST TIME 😮 ……
WITH A SAILOR NAMED MICHAEL…..
AND LATER THAT DAY I REMEMBER …. BEING BUZZED OUT OF MY MIND😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫
BUYING A ONE WAY AMTRAK TICKET TO ORLANDO WITH MY LAST 75 DOLLARS ……..😳
HITCHHIKING FROM ORLANDO TO FORT LAUDERDALE ……. TO SEARCH FOR ………..AND FIND……..
JAMEAL TROTMAN;
THE BROTHER OF THE GUY THAT GAVE ME MY FIRST ( and my last👀)“ STAR BLOTTER “TO GET HIGH.
I WAS TOLD BY MICHAEL; HIS YOUNGER BROTHER THAT JAMEAL WOULD GET ME A GOOD JOB IN FORT LAUDERDALE……
BUT ALL I HAD WAS HIS NUMBER❗️
MIRACULOUSLY;
JAMEAL TURNED OUT TO BE LIVING ONLY ONE-BLOCK FROM THE RESTAURANT I CALLED HIM FROM WITH MY LAST DIME .
I REMEMBER
AS I STUMBLED IN; AFTER STEPPING FROM THE DARKEST NIGHT …..
OVER DEAD ARMADILLO ROAD KILL…….AND BABY ALLIGATORS NESTING IN THE TALL GRASS OFF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE……
JAMEAL PULLED UP TO THE RESTAURANT IN A NEW WHITE 1978
MONTE CARLO❗️
FIRST THING HE SAID WAS “ NATE❓GET IN❗️”
“ YOU GOT ANY MONEY?”
HE SAYS…… I SAID…. NO
I SPENT MY LAST DIME CALLING YOU.. laughing!
HE PASSED ME A UNFOLDED, NEW ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL AND I REMEMBER HIM SAYING:
“ YOU REMIND ME OF ME WHEN I HITCHHIKED FROM CHICAGO YEARS AGO……..
AND NOW… IVE GOT INTO THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS…..
YOULE DO ALRIGHT HERE, JUST STICK WITH ME.”
SOOOOO,
46 YEARS LATER, I SIT HERE AT 1:31 am AT MY KITCHEN TABLE……
A HEALTHY, NEWLY FIRED
SUBCONTRACTOR
( long story ….. and NO I’ve done nothing wrong besides working for billion dollar industries who take advantage of their power❗️)
ANYWAY, IM NOT RELIGIOUS…….
BUT I
LEARNED HOW TO PRAY!
…….. so …. I’ll be just fine!!
WELL…….. I’M
BACK IN THE SAME HOUSE I LIVED IN 1978❗️
US 2 OLD NAVY VETS; MY OLDER BROTHER AND I
OWN IT NOW.😊
COMMENTING TO YOU OFF YOUR 3 YEAR OLD COMMENT………….
TO REMIND YOU …….
HOW LUCKY YOU WERE TO HAVE BEEN “ WORKING”AT IN THE INDUSTRY THAT DREAMERS AND HITCHHIKERS LIKE ME JUST …… DREAM ABOUT❗️…… lol
AFTER ALL THIS TIME,
AS A SELF TAUGHT JAZZ COMPOSER, SHORT STORY, WRITER, AND INVENTOR……..
IVE FINALLY FOUND THE TIME TO WORK ON THAT NOVEL, …….
DEBUT MY ALBUM
SOON …….
WORK ON MY CONCEPT OF AN ORIGINAL SHORT FILM, ………
AND EVEN DEVISE A DEVICE TO MARKET …………SOME DAY👀
HOWEVER….. YOUR ONE ON ONE WITH MR.CAGNEY………
AND MY 46 YEAR OLD JOURNEY BACK TO MY HOMETOWN WHERE I STARTED…….
REMINDS US BOTH…….
THAT UNTIL WERE GONE……….🪦
WHATEVER
CUL-DE-SAC WE WANDER IN…….
WE ALWAYS HAVE TIME
TO REGRET, REWRITE,
…….. AND REMEMBER ❗️
something Mr. Cagney left ……… to both of us to do …
James Cagney;
July 17, 1899
to March 30,1986
….. our Yankee Doodle
Do or Die Guy❤
Just Sayin 🤷🏿♂️
Thank you too
FILM COURAGE for
re- inviting this
SUPER- NOVA
PHENOMENON
MR. MANDELL❗️❗️❗️
……. and Karen ….. your sultry voice is as smooth as your in-depth questions❗️❗️
Keep these master classes coming you guys…..
…… nothings even gets close….. except “the
“ FILM RIOT”…. Channel highlighting the details in filmmaking behind the scenes ❗️❗️❗️
God bless 🕯️
🎼 RAIN AGAIN 🎼
I have read many books on screenwriting, and Corey is the only one who has addressed a number of topics which have been right on the money. One in particular, and this I felt for a long time though couldn't expound upon it like Corey has, is the fallacy of "if you want to get better at writing, you need to write more". Its a half-truth. I look forward to one day taking classes from him online.
And as an added bonus, he seems like a genuinely good guy to boot!
This was by far one of the best videos on screenwriting!!! So much knowledge and explanation of processes. Well done!!! Thank you!
"You become so afraid of rejection, you reject who you really are."
Woah. This dude is teaching a masterclass on becoming a screenwriter and I get to watch it for free on UA-cam.Thanks Film Courage!
This is a great interview! I'm just wondering how there can be so much trash on the market when companies are supposedly looking for "amazing, unique" scripts to be honest.
He is a story writer. It's just a nice sounding story.
Keep writing..Research pilots...everybody hits the jackpot..no matter how long it takes...stay encouraged.
Everybody does NOT hit the jackpot! 😂 what even is this comment??
This interview blew me away! Corey has so many insightful gems that he's dropping!! From 57:30-1:02:10 is one of the most inspiring things I've ever heard! Great interview!
This guy is my favorite! I've rewatched his videos soo many times. :)
And what are you doing now
Antony C.Francis loll
Have been waiting for the full version of this!
It's a good one. Hope you enjoy.
Thank you Film Courage so much for this, so awesome!!!! Slightly unrelated request; please consider doing an interview with Bradford Young. I think viewers would love to see what he looks for in a script before committing to a film.
Dear Film Courage. The amount of value you add is off the damn charts. Thank you so much
Spartacus, glad you found this channel. Doing our best, happy to have you around.
Moar Corey! 😁
(In a deep ocean of extraordinary FC content, CM really stands out for me.)
Well, hard to beat a 3 hour interview...
@@filmcourage lol I know. That's how much I like his stuff. 😂
@@filmcourage Also my comment was supposed to be an absurdist compliment in nature (eg oceans of content, 3hr interview. Moar!). Sorry if it didnt come off that way.
The best screen writing advice I've heard.
Gifted as a teacher. Thank you
Thanks for posting Greg!
That part between 01:01:00 an 01:02:18 is just beautifully honest and touching. How his voice changes, you feel how it is still something he chews on a little - while totally knowing the truth of his decision back then. How hard and brave it is ... to not be brave... to not be able to pursue this way and finally putting an end to it. The strength of accepting a so called weakness makes you strong again. That was a pitch perfect authentic talk of him ...
Just amazing. I’m contacting his assistant
We think this might be the longest interview we have posted on our channel. And Corey was ready to go right from the start.
@@filmcourage he never lets us down.
@14:30 "...it would take 30 minutes..."
Not enough time... Couldn't possibly do it...
Talks for another three hours. 🙂
Seems like he has a course to sell
@@glancing. yes i think he want to sell the course
Exactly my thoughts. XD
lol that part was super awkward
@@taylorgavinchuk2285 that said, i signed up for his course but had to postpone due to COVID (didn't get it myself, but work in Healthcare). Can't wait to learn from him whenever life reverts to the new normal.
This is unbelievable. So beautiful in its depth. Love you Corey. Thank you for sharing.
This is an amazing lecture. I have an idea for a project and just help me process how to approach it
What incredible information in this interview. Just listening to the first 30 minutes already has me writing important details to a concept I’ve been working on the past few months. I don’t know what I would have done without this channel!
Corey doesn't let up the entire interview. Glad you are finding value here.
Loved it. Thank U for all
59:30 + You can be so afraid of rejection that you change your writing to contour what you believe someone else is looking for [paraphrasing]. ... 'Courage is so important. ... To really hit your full potential, you have to be okay with being rejected.' The anecdote where he found the discarded Ferris Buehler script with the negative, misguided coverage is worth watching the whole video for by itself. Love the 'Pitch-Perfect Authentic' target / mandate. Great interview!
I’m gonna listen to this a few more times.
14:25 That was a little odd or is it just me, I have a feeling he didn’t want to give away the secret sauce. That body language was a full tell.
3:08:30 or thereabouts.... Corey, the storyteller, relates one to us about the Boss. I listen for minutes.... The first album, the second one.... It goes on.... And the reason why the 3rd album was so good.... I'm still listening, waiting for the climax. Which never arrived like a gunshot with utmost clarity and precision. And that's good story telling?
Will it be easier for an unknown writer with a professionally produced stage play to get the script noticed and optioned for a screenplay?
@59:41 "People who are so terrified of rejection can become the kind of person who it's hard to reject but the person they become is not who they really are. So the fear of rejection can lead people to reject themselves."
I have difficulty watching videos or reading books about screenwriting by people who I've never heard of. This guy has two credits as a writer on IMDb and one of those is scientology's "Battlefield Earth" from 2000.
Exactly. This is essentially screenwriting grifting and it’s hilarious.
I paused @ around 20min just to be able to say... 30min to describe what an "engine" means for a tv-show... in a 3hr+ interview, already full of repetitions-- _YOU HAVE TIME_ to explain it (!!!)
Nah, but I get it... You've put it in a book, or some other material, you need to _sell_ for profit - so you can't just reveal on youtube how _simple_ it is.
Still... Awesome interview - awesome channel... It just busts my chops that you even have an interview to talk about it, if you're not going to tell us about it anyway - just plug your stuff coming out in a near future. Ofc, I might be proven wrong if I keep watching (I just highly doubt it).
I like the five minute rule. You can use that in anything really.
I watch these cause I like to listen and learn even though I'm not currently pursuing film ot writing.
But you get some life lessons that can really help.
My wife and I keep the bedroom for 3 things. One needs to stop. No more phone before bed in the bedroom will better assist with sleeping.
This is one of the BEST interviews on your channel. Thank you 💚
We agree. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing, it HELPS!
thx for this
This interview was absolutely invaluable and it gave me so many ideas and tips and honestly confidence that I CAN break through to the industry if I follow my instincts. Thank you so much for uploading it and thank you, Corey, for this goldmine!!!
i really fell asleep and woke up to this lol
It boggles the mind to think how many great scripts have been lost because someone couldn't see past the first page. What if it's a deliberate slow burner?
Well if it's a slow burner it still needs to smolder from page one. We have to be convinced these embers aren't just going to go out.
This is great advice if you want to create hacky TV shows.
So much information.
No doubt, this one is a lot.
I just signed up for his workshop in March of 2021. As an unpublished, unfinished writer, I can barely wait for the opportunity to learn the secrets he alludes to in this interview.
On script reading - I'm UK based and determined to find some sort of script reading internship. I don't have connections so I've girded my loins for cold calls. When preparing sample coverage, should it be on an already-made/known spec or something obscure (say a friend who's given permission)?
WOWOWOW
I went to his website and there was no newsletter. Does anyone have a copy of the script testing questions they could get to me?
Is anyone else bothered by the fact that he won’t define what he means by engine? It’s obvious he’s trying to direct traffic to his site to sell us something, which is fine but he should’ve at least give us a summary that entices us to learn more. I highly doubt that his “engine” is too complex to succinctly explain in a 3 hour long video. Besides that I like what he’s said so far so I’m gonna keep watching but that really puts me off.
Corey gives us so much in this interview that it is easy for us to forgive him for that one. We all knew this was going to be a longer interview to begin with and he wanted to move onto the other topics. There is great commentary on the story engine in the segment of this video here - ua-cam.com/video/YLeKjsteXQk/v-deo.html
His methods are his bread and butter. He believes he knows a secret, or a formula, to TV writing. He has every right to protect it. Besides, if you watch a lot of TV, the engine concept isn't terribly elusive. An engine is a device that converts fuel into energy via a catalyst. Apply that to any medium, TV, film, novel, and you'll see the patterns pretty quickly. The difference between film and TV is that the TV
engine has to be built for endurance. Take the X-Files for instance. Mulder and Scully are polar opposites, but their relationship is built on respect. That's the engine for the show. The conflict that arises between their frames of reference is the catalyst for each episode. That's the spark that drives one piston down, and it's linked pair up.
He doesn’t know. He’s no longer a screenwriter. He had one movie that’s known as the worst movie of all time by nearly everyone who’s seen it. This is all a grift. There are too many established writers giving advice to ever trust this.
yes! we’re in a business where you need to be able to bake things down, and an engine could forsure be summed up in less than 30 minutes.
This is one of the greatest interviews, on the business side, ever uploaded to the internet. And when that part happened I literally admired the fact that he was visibly uncomfortable at the request, having one single thing that he’s not going to share unless you go through the proper channels, and it wasn’t even for that reason it was because he didn’t have time.
What if you don't have any friends or family to test your script with?
Anybody have the link to the Donald Glover article he referenced. Thanks Film Courage. Edit: I do. www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/donald-glover-cant-save-you
Here's a link where you can see the Bruce Springsteen documentary. ua-cam.com/video/OaMgOYCeOBg/v-deo.html
Hello.
Is there any guideline for protecting and selling fiction characters like those of X men and marvels ?
If you mean can you write stories with these characters in them and try to sell them? No. They are copyrighted and to do so could land you in a lot of legal trouble. Now writing scripts just for fun with them wouldn't be an issue so long as no profit was made.
@@matthewgordonpettipas6773 thank u for reply but what I asked is for the protection i.e gaining rights for my own developed characters :-)
Que hay? muy buen video
It’s hard to trust when his only known writing credit is for Battlefield Earth (which is literally the worst movie I’ve ever seen in my life and that’s not hyperbole for the sake of this comment). It’d be different if he rebounded with a solid screenwriting career of produced work, but I just don’t see how this person is worthy of this position? I’m not trying to be rude in any way, I genuinely don’t understand.
If you’re wondering what Corey means by ‘Engine’, then ask yourself what an engine does ! The engine powers your story through multiple episodes/series and you steer it.
Engine is plot+compelling contrast
@tolo nola for a story to keep your interest. Something must be wrong or there wouldnt be a story. You also need individual contrast in every scene so they make it through your story climax
I still want to understand what makes an "engine". What would be the engine, let's say, for the Harry Potter series? Can anyone help explain?
Ok. First I LOVE Battlefield Earth. Second, I watch it every chance I get. 😁
Corey Mandela is a treasure to the screenwriting community.
3 hours!
Crazy! We think this is the longest interview we have done. And this one has no fluff.
Battlefield Earth, eh?
A bit ridiculous that engine can't be explained enough here to differentiate engine from concept no?
He really pushing his site. I saw a simple explanation that engine is what generates energy in the story, creates new events. In breaking bad that would be at first from Walter White's bad luck, new obstacles and dangers popping up as soon as the previous one was dealt with, nothing ever going smoothly. Eventually it is also combined with Walter's pride causing him to push it further when it seems that things are stabilizing
Clearly this guys whole life is building up to writing his next script... Battlefield Earth 2: There Were Still More Aliens
Thank you so much!
"God hates writers" got me good. Cheers!
Master Class with Corey🙏
This guy sure has a lot to say for being a subpar writer who only ever wrote two bad movies in the late 90s. I've been watching film courage for a long time and only today i had the curiosity to go and check his credentials, i can't take him seriously anymore.
Nice Interview.
That was Jon Landau. Not a reporter- the owner/publisher of Rolling Stone. Just for the record.
Great interview. Yet I still am eager to learn the differrence between engine and concept. :-/
Hi Lisa, there is some good discussion on the engine and concept in the comment section of the video segment here - ua-cam.com/video/YLeKjsteXQk/v-deo.html
@@filmcourage Thank you!!!
Cheers
I tried to email the assessment for the engine concept, but the email rejected. Will somebody post the actual spelling of her email address, please...
I guess his 'engine' idea is his livelihood, which is why he didn't want to talk about it.
Karen, can you try to find us an example of a story engine in one of your next interviews? I feel like all we need is one example even if it’s not explained in depth. Specifically, I bet if an interviewee can answer what the story engine is for finding Nemo, then we’d all easily be able to go from there
P.S. I Love You
At this current day and age (2021, coronavirus and quarantine are still a thing) the living in LA or not living in AL is no longer that relevant, now that people have discovered Zoom meetings. Unless the writer is also a producer/actor/any other more hands on occupation that is working full-time on the field (or you just like the place or have other commitments that keep you from moving elsewhere) I really don't see a reason to be living in LA all year round. The 'you have to physically attend the meetings' argument is no longer relevant.
Edit: lmao nvm turns out he actually addressed that right after I continued the vid lol
Better have a bible book, and 2 pilot scripts written at a minimum for a tv series. Had pitch meetings with companies that Corey mentioned.
🔥
🔥🔥
yo did anyone call his assistant and ask what an engine is?
Taylor, you can find good discussion on the story engine in the comments section of the video segment here - ua-cam.com/video/YLeKjsteXQk/v-deo.html
Omg, his workshops are over 500 bucks. You got a book to sell with this info? Jeebus.
he is so honest
Don't dangle "engine" over and over just to pitch your other channel. Lame. You could have given one simple explanation for Breaking Bad. You should be able to do that. If not, spare us your self important Mr. Mystery role. And then you talked in cliches for 3 hours, but did not have time for one example? I'm out.
This honestly frustrated the fuck out of me one it bothered me he couldn't simply summarize what an engine is even if it took a bit long second some of the information frustrated me I've created an entire universe of characters I could summarize my entire universe but to break it down season by season for someone would frustrate the fuck out of me overall i learned alot but I'm also frustrated I don't really ever have issues with coming up with original material that's childs play to me what I have an issue with is the amount of idea's that overwhelm me coming up with names is an issue continuing stories is an issue I have a habit of starting something then starting another and another then coming back later to add to it then start something also i try not to get attached to Character also i typically like to give away or sell my worse least favorite characters in order to program myself to make characters i consider to be the worse character the best to expand them make them better also by giving away or selling characters i consider to be awful characters when and if they get denied im not emotionally involved quite frankly by doing things this way I focus on what the studio wants and the profit even starting out i know studios are ridiculously awful to work with as an artist it's best to not be emotionally involved with your characters until you have full control over your work because you can pour your heart and soul in your work only for the studio to come in and make changes and you just end up feeling hurt
So they all read your script for free, steal the best ideas from it for other projects, and then force you to keep churning out new material constantly for them on the slim hope they might eventually buy some of it?
You could've written a book or two that you own the rights to, for which they would pay you for the right to adapt into a movie (which you could write the script for and get paid again).
Man he can define an engine in terms of what exactly it is especially in the case of the example Breaking bad. He just wants traffic to his site it seems. 🙄
I kinda like Battlefield Earth in some twisted way, haha.
His evasiveness about an engine is one of the worst things that made me immediately distrust him. And for the record, it's a lie. They don't send you any information at all if you ask for it.
An engine is a source of conflict that drives the show over seasons.
1. Battlestar Galactica: the cylons hunting the colonial fleet.
2. Star Wars: the empire vs rebellion; sith vs jedi
3. Lost in space: the search for home.
It's the core that drives a show. Each season has many engines but one engine is the biggest.
This guy dosen't like giving interviews. I love this channel but this video is sketchy. Don't waste your time folks, he dosen't want to spill the beans! Lol.
The writer who wrote Battlefield Earth. His IMDb just says that?? Come'on, I know that was a major flop, but Jesus, give this guy a break
Does a 3 hour long interview but can't further explain what an engine is. 🙄
Incredibly thankful I will be able to create a film without all this dumbing down for lowest common denominator filtering of the gatekeepers. If my film plot is too complicated for you, MOVE ON! Bye! 😂🎉😂
That guy is rambling about the craft and doesn‘t say anything of value! Mere generalities, tropisms, doesn‘t even want (my guess is he doesn‘t know) to tell the difference between a high concept and an engine. Dude! What are you here for??
It would be like trying to learn how to be a great cook from a list of groceries... As if no one knows you have to nail the characters, the story, the first 10 pages, the concept, the engine!
My advice : don’t waste your time here, there is nothing of value and the guy keeps selling himself and refering to his assistant🤮
The email didn't even work!
I wonder if he ever tells fake stories...
Twenty scripts abruptly delivered late evening, to read in less than 12 hours before the appointment...
‘
I think Rian Johnson could learn a lot in your class about organic storytelling. Actually every writer at Disney and Amazon desperately needs to take your class on organic storytelling.
it is indeed your problem to see writing as a highly competitive sport, everything you said is the feature of a involution business. NO you don't need 10/10 to land a career in writing or anything, you simply need tons of 6/10 to A/B test.
Theft
He was just trying to send people to his website Obviously, but I mean he couldn’t at least try to explain what an engine is in the writing sense.