Eric Edson’s 5 Favorite Online Screenplay Libraries

“When deadlines are looming, these screenwriting tips and resources can make all the difference.”

Through his personal experience, Eric Edson believes having access to an extensive library of screenwriting resources is critical to the creative process.  When deadlines are looming these resources can make all the difference.  In this post, we will discuss Eric Edson’s five favorite online screenplay libraries, each of which provides an active database of screenplays and scripts, along with effective tools for screenwriting and TV writing professionals at all levels of skill and experience.

SimplyScripts (www.simplyscripts.com) – Top Screenwriting Website

SimplyScripts offers links to hundreds of free, downloadable scripts, movie scripts, screenplays, and transcripts of current, classic and maybe a few soon-to-be-released movies, television, anime, unproduced and radio shows. This website is a powerful screenwriting resource, with easy navigation among the various key topics.  Each of the topics—Movie Scripts, TV Scripts, Unproduced Scripts, Radio Scripts, Anime Scripts, Oscar Scripts, Treatments, Plays, Musicals, Non English Scripts, Discussion Board, Movie Reviews, Unproduced Script of the Day—has its own navigation button at the top of the Home page, so writers can quickly and easily find exactly what they need to do research for their creative writing project.

For screenwriting tips, the Movie Scripts, TV Scripts, and Oscar Scripts sections are the most useful.  Within each of these areas of the site, there is a multitude of expertly crafted material for TV writing that will inspire and educate the aspiring screenwriter, and will provide even the most seasoned writer with the latest works that are achieving success.  These tips can be especially valuable for those trying to overcome writer’s block.

The Movie Reviews section is a great resource as well. TV writing professionals can benefit greatly from understanding the current views of critics. The scriptwriting business is a moving target, so it is important to understand these views to identify current trends and themes, possible pitfalls, etc.

The Store tab provides a wide selection of screenwriting books, screenwriting courses, screenwriting tips, books on how to sell a screenplay and much more.  Prices are reasonable and competitive with other online bookstore sites, such as Amazon, and the variety and selection is impressive.  To visit the SimplyScripts website, click here.

Drew’s Script-o-rama (www.script-o-rama.com) – Amazing Scriptwriting Resource

Drew’s Script-o-rama is valuable resource for the screenwriting and TV writing professional, offering multiple versions of scripts in various forms of completion, including first drafts, second drafts, shooting drafts, revised drafts, revised final drafts, shooting scripts, production drafts, and more.  By reviewing these drafts, screenwriters and scriptwriters can understand the journey a screenplay or script takes, from first draft through the entire development cycle, to final draft and into production.  Reviewing and understanding the nuances of the changes that take place throughout this process provides a unique set of screenwriting tips and techniques that are highly effective for polishing your craft as a true storyteller.

This website also offers a forum for posting new works to gain exposure.  While the likelihood of being “discovered” through this or any online medium is questionable, this is a great place to view the screenwriting and TV writing skills of other writers.  For the less experienced, aspiring writer, this can be a fantastic resource for comparing the quality, sophistication, and impact of their work against other writers at the same or similar level of skill and experience.  To visit the Drew’s Script-o-rama website, click here.

Screenplays for You (www.sfy.ru) – Targeted Scriptwriting Database

Screenplays for You is a free website providing a wide variety and large number of high-profile scripts and screenplays.  The website is bare-bones in format and visual appeal, but is organized logically, with an alphabetical index at the top of the screen for ease of navigation.  The Home page offers the most recently added screenplays so frequent visitors can quickly scan these to find those that fit their specific screenwriting or TV writing needs.  To visit the Screenplays for You website, click here.

The Daily Script (www.dailyscript.com) – Highly Interactive Screenwriting Website

The Daily Script takes a unique approach to providing content of interest to screenwriting professionals.  Each day a single screenplay or script is featured on the Home page of this website.  Most are presented in html format, although some are in .pdf format, requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader (which can be downloaded free of charge).

Each script or screenplay is featured in a specific draft version, so that visitors can review the draft in the context of its stage of development.  This is a powerful resource for screenwriting professionals looking to fine-tune their understanding of the individual phases of screenplay or script development.

This website also offers movie scripts, TV scripts, and links to other screenwriting and TV writing resources, screenwriting tips,screenwriting courses, screenwriting books, resources on how to sell a screenplay, and much more.  To visit the Daily Script  website, click here.

The Internet Movie Script Database (www.imsdb.com) – Largest Internet Screenwriting Database                                 

The Internet Movie Script Database offers the largest selection of movie scripts on the Internet.

 The Home page is formatted clearly to showcase new additions to the site.  There are also easy navigation indexes along the left side of the Home page, where visitors can search for screenplays by alphabetical order and by genre.  There is also a separate index section for TV scripts.  The site also offers a chat area and a comments area for those who wish to interact with other screenwriting and scriptwriting professionals.

Within each genre, individual scripts are described by the type of draft/level of development, to help the professional easily navigate to those screenplays and scripts that most meet their requirements.  As stated above, there are a large number of screenplays and scripts in each genre—typically hundreds.  Screenwriting and scriptwriting professionals should find a wealth of information directly applicable to their unique interests on this site.  To visit the Internet Movie Script Database website, click here.re visitors can search for screenplays by alphabetical order and by genre.  There is also a separate index section for TV scripts.  The site also offers a chat area and a comments area for those who wish to interact with other screenwriting and scriptwriting professionals.

While there are many websites offering information on virtually every aspect of the screenwriting and scriptwriting process, Eric Edson finds these five to be the most useful.  Each provides a slightly different focus and format, but each offers unique features and information that will be of interest to screen and script writers alike.  By using these resources and incorporating the latest trends, styles, themes, and the finer details of the draft development process into your arsenal, you should improve your skillset, and your ability to effectively pursue contracts.  Eric is constantly working to improve his craft and these five websites have certainly helped him and will continue to help him in the future.

About The Story Solution:  Accomplished screenwriter and university professor Eric Edson reveals the 23 actions used in every successful movie to create dynamic, three dimensional heroes while linking together all parts of a captivating screenplay from first page to last. The book reveals the tools necessary for any writer to construct a forceful emotional ride in his or her storytelling. Clear and fun to read, The Story Solution brings to light an innovative way to ensure effective plotlines for both screenplays and novels. Pick up a copy at Amazon.com or MWP.com

There's more to Indy than the Super Bowl

(CNN) -- Why Indianapolis?

Super Bowl visitors will enjoy the fabulous Super Bowl parties and the very best of this Midwestern city's arts, music and food festivals tailored specially for this sports-filled week.

And when the Super Bowl party-goers leave and the confetti has been cleaned up, the locals will return to enjoying their city. Whether you're traveling to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl or taking a trip later, here's where the locals have fun -- and where they recommend you go, too.

A music scene that covers all the bases

Indianapolis has some world-class music talent that music writer Ryan Williams is always eager to share with out-of-towners. Williams focuses his music blog on the Fountain Square neighborhood but loves music all over the city.

Check NUVO.net and do317.com for band schedules and times. Williams' favorite venues include:The Melody Inn is Indy's version of CBGBs with a line-up that heavily favors punk and louder sounds, except for more roots and country material on Friday evenings.Radio Radio is a smoke-free space that puts together an eclectic blend of indie rock, rockabilly and touring artists.

The Vogue hosts dance nights most nights, but larger touring acts make their way through here as well (and those shows are usually smoke-free as well). Locals Onlyreally does welcome everyone to their line-up of local rock, blues and hip-hop. Jazz fans can choose the small club feel of the Chatterbox or the larger dinner/show feel of the Jazz Kitchen. The latter choice also features R&B, soul and hip-hop.

Local, sustainable food with a kick

Although the Midwest has a reputation for meatloaf and casseroles, there's a burgeoning food scene in Indianapolis. When Brad and Nancy Royal opened City Café downtown in 2000, residents didn't focus much on local, independent restaurants. And their downtown neighborhood pretty much closed up after work. So they decided to offer breakfast and lunch with a sustainable bent at their 15-table restaurant and skip dinner so they could focus on family life at night.

Over a decade later, their restaurant is part of a growing independent restaurant and arts scene downtown, where artists are making their mark and chefs are using local and sustainable food in their menus. Even in winter, Chef Brad Royal's special always features local ingredients. And don't worry if there's a wait. Nancy Royal, who runs the front of the house, promises the tables turn quickly. The restaurant will serve dinner during the Super Bowl week, so call for special hours.

Indianapolis is home to some great Greek food. To get some of the best Greek food in the country, longtime residents often recommend Santorini Greek Kitchen in Fountain Square. To get off the beaten path, turn to IndyEthnicFood.com for its recommendations. (It also has a Super Bowl week guide.)

For dessert, head to the Flying Cupcake Bakery on Mass Ave with at least 12 choices daily (and extended hours and specials for Super Bowl weekend). Try its ugly but delicious Red Velvet Elvis cupcake, with extra added chocolate chips turning the cupcake into a brownie-cake. There will also be cupcakes for each Super Bowl team and a special "snack food" cupcake made of pretzel crust, chocolate cake, peanut butter cream cheese filling and topped with icing and chocolate covered pretzel bits.

To step back in time, head to the L.S. Ayres Tea Room at theIndiana State Museum, which recreates the historic Tea Room (open 1906-1990). A proper lunch is served Monday through Saturday and high tea is served on Sunday. Reservations are required on Sunday and are recommended the rest of the week.

For the history buff, and the shopper

Art history and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Herron-Morton Place historic district, which is named for two institutions: Camp Morton, a Civil War prison camp, and the John Herron Art Institute.

After soaking up some history, head to Minx to delve into store owner Jennifer Mentzer's collection of mostly vintage clothing, purses and other accessories -- including some designer pieces.

"My mission is to encourage people to care about what they wear and maybe try something different," says Mentzer, who opened her most recent shop in August. "We do have a few modern things, but they are highly curated."

For children, or people who act like children

Often rated one of the best children's museums in the country, locals say the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, with a Dale Chihuly blown-glass permanent sculpture and working carousel, is not to be missed.

For a louder experience, try a hidden gem downtown: the Rhythm! Discovery Center, a hands-on project of the Percussive Arts Society. Get ready for some volume -- the center has more than 150 instruments for children and adults to play as well as interactive learning exhibits.

To buy some unusual gifts for your child (no Disney or Barbies here), head to Mass Avenue Toys, where children, their parents and people acting like children can play with a carefully selected collection of European and other toys. Then head to the nearby Flying Cupcake Bakery (see more information in the food section above).

For the wanderer

Indianapolis has become friendly to people who like to walk and wander, as long as you're ready for temperatures ranging in the 40s during the day and the 30s at night. Bustling walkable areas include the Broadripple District's nightlife and shops, Mass Ave's galleries and theater and the music scene in Fountain Square.

The Canal and White River State Park, which has lovely walking paths, also features the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and the Indiana State Museum. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's collection at the state museum houses some of Irsay's NFL collection, Jack Kerouac's original manuscript for "On the Road" and musical instruments from Grateful Dead founder Jerry Garcia and others.

Open Air Theatres

When you are in Athens, make sure to visit any of the Open Air Theatres, an unique experience you will never forget. The most famous of the outdoor theatred is the Theater of Irodion (Herod Atticus) at the foot of the Acropolis. Concerts, philharmonic performances, ballet and dance and operas are performed from the end of May until the end of September. 

Another outdoor stage in magnificent surroundings is the Theater of Epidavrus where they stages ancient productions from the likes of Aristophanes, Euripides, and Sophocles and others. 

Open Theatres

Open Theatres

Open Air Theatres

When you are in Athens, make sure to visit any of the Open Air Theatres, an unique experience you will never forget. The most famous of the outdoor theatred is the Theater of Irodion (Herod Atticus) at the foot of the Acropolis. Concerts, philharmonic performances, ballet and dance and operas are performed from the end of May until the end of September. 

Another outdoor stage in magnificent surroundings is the Theater of Epidavrus where they stages ancient productions from the likes of Aristophanes, Euripides, and Sophocles and others. 

from www.holiday-in-athens.com

Thetre

Theatre (in American English usually theater) is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance. Elements of design and stagecraft are used to enhance the physicality, presence and immediacy of the experience. The specific place of the performance is also named by the word "theatre" as derived from the Ancient Greek θέατρον (théatron, “a place for viewing”) and θεάομαι (theáomai, “to see", "to watch", "to observe”).

From wikipedia.com

Mime Artist

A mime artist (from Greek "μίμος"—mimos, "imitator, actor") is someone who uses mime as a theatrical medium or as a performance art, involving miming, or the acting out a story through body motions, without use of speech. In earlier times, in English, such a performer was referred to as a mummer. Miming is to be distinguished from silent comedy, in which the artist is a seamless character in a film or sketch.

The performance of pantomime originates at its earliest in Ancient Greece; the name is taken from a single masked dancer called Pantomimus, although performances were not necessarily silent. In Medieval Europe, early forms of mime such as mummer plays and later dumbshows evolved. In early nineteenth century Paris, Jean-Gaspard Deburau solidified the many attributes that we have come to know in modern times—the silent figure in whiteface.