Moondance Summer 2017: Insider Tips for Writers, Filmmakers & actors!

by Elizabeth English on June 15, 2017

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ~ Lao Tzu

Thanks a million for all the fine submissions we’ve received, so far, for the 2017 Moondance International Film Festival!

Scroll on down for insider tips for writers, filmmakers & actors

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

OUR REGULAR $50 ENTRY FEE IS

EXTENDED TO JUNE 30th!

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

Accepting submissions NOW, through June 30, 2017

LINK TO SUBMISSION CATEGORIES LIST

Narrative feature, Short, Documentary, Drone & Animation Films • Feature & Short Screenplays •Film Scores • Short Stories, Stageplays & Audio Plays •TV Pilots, Episodics…and many more!LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

READ & SUBSCRIBE TO THE POPULAR MOONDANCE NEWS-BLOG HERE!

INSIDER TIPS:

CREATING CHARACTER & CHARACTERIZATIONS

Tips for Writers, Filmmakers & Actors

By Elizabeth English

Interesting flaws humanize a character who is challenged to overcome inner doubts, errors in thinking, guilt or trauma from the past, or fear of and hopes for the future. Weaknesses, imperfections, quirks, and vices make a character more real & appealing. The audience can identify with the character.

Flaws and imperfections give a character somewhere to go – the character arc – in which a character develops and grows, overcoming obstacles and gaining knowledge and wisdom, and is recreated and restored to wholeness. A real character is not just a single obvious trait, but a unique combination of many qualities and drives, some of them conflicting.

Character development is essential to a good story. Characters should enter the story as dimensional, non-stereotypical characters, and become more dimensional as the story and other characters act upon them. They should be big as life; capable of developing and being transformed. We should see different sides of them, understand how they think and act, learn about their philosophies and attitudes. We should be aware of their emotional make-up through their responses to their surroundings, to others with whom they interact, and to events which occur.

If your characters don’t come alive in the script, they won’t come alive on the screen. Answer these questions, as you characterize the protagonist, antagonist, and other characters within your storyline: what is this character’s goal or motivation, why does he or she want to achieve this goal, who or what is trying to stop this character from reaching this goal and why, what strengths or weaknesses of this character will help or hinder in the pursuit of this goal? READ MORE:

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY: