ScriptDoctor has a Blog

ScriptDoctor has a new blog located here: scriptdoctorcom.blogspot.com/

We hope writers and anyone interested in film will find it helpful and informative.

For Your Inspiration

Howard Allen recommends reading this article in The New York Times to learn about writer Peter Morgan's process as well as how films get made. The last couple of paragraphs (included below), says Allen, should inspire writers to find filmmakers like Clint Eastwood and Ron Howard.

“Clint is incredibly instinctive,” Mr. Morgan said, “and he’s anti-neurosis. It’s like antimatter. He’s totally without neurosis. The set of ‘Hereafter’ was one of happiest places I’ve ever been. It comes from trusting yourself and eliminating fear.”

Referring to Ron Howard, who directed the film version of “Frost/Nixon,” he continued: “Ron is the same way. He’s completely at home on a movie set, and I think it comes from practically growing up there. He and Clint are rather like sailors from a bygone century. They come into port every now and then, but really they live on the ship. They’re seafarers.”

But really, go read the whole thing.

In the works

CoyoteMoon Films is gearing up for its second short film, The Three O'Clock, written by Michael Grady and to be directed by Howard Allen. We will update as we have more information.

Also, our sister organization, ScriptDoctor, will soon have its own blog focusing on topics related to writing, scripts, and turning scripts into motion pictures, as well as updating information related specifically to ScriptDoctor. (This blog will still carry some of that information, but will now focus more on the production side of the film industry and small films.) We will let you know as soon as the ScriptDoctor blog goes live.

The Coyote Recommends: Smoke Signals

After learning of his absent father's death, Victor travels from Idaho to Phoenix. He is accompanied by lifelong friend (of sorts) Thomas, who was orphaned when his parents died in a fire that consumed their house. Thomas might have died, too, if Victor's father Arnold had not saved him. This is a fairly early example of Adam Beach's talents as an actor--he plays into stereotypes only to defy them (something the screenplay does deftly with most of its characters, as well). Gary Farmer (Nobody in Dead Man, which he stole from Johnny Depp) plays Arnold with a level of humanity that makes the wild swings in his character seamless and believable. Look for Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves) and Irene Bedard (Pocahontas, The New World) in strong supporting roles.

Smoke Signals is available on DVD and through netflix. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Links

A couple of quick links:

John August offers advice for aspiring directors thinking of using music videos as a stepping stone to a feature-directing career.

Jonathan Handel has a new book coming out in a few weeks on Hollywood on strike, titled, appropriately enough, Hollywood on Strike!

Howard Allen Interview

CoyoteMoon Films founder and director of Se Habla Español was interviewed by ScriptLinks. The interview can be read in the interviews section of their website.

The ScriptLinks homepage is here.

Looking for a Last Minute Gift?

With only one week before Christmas, we thought we'd remind you that our short film, Se Habla Español, is still available for sale at Tucson area Borders and Barnes and Noble bookstores as well as online. The DVD includes several special features, such as a making-of documentary, a retrospective piece on Tucson's cultures, and "Even a Gringa Can Make a Tamale."

Se Habla Español

Just another reminder that Se Habla Español is still available for sale at the Tucson Borders and Barnes and Noble bookstores, as well as online.




In other news, we are still continuing our fundraising efforts for our first feature, and we plan to start filming a fun short film called The Three O'Clock.

Se Habla Español

With Black Friday just a few hours away, it seems an appropriate time to mention that you can spare yourself a little shopping anxiety by purchasing a copy of Se Habla Español online. Copies should still be available at the Tucson locations of Borders and Barnes and Noble.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of us at CoyoteMoon Films, have a very happy Thanksgiving and a joyous holiday season.