Clint Eastwood: Top ten quotes for writers and filmmakers
Clint. He needs no introduction. Here’s his top quotes, some of which are surprising. ‘I tried being reasonable, I didn’t like it.’ ‘Every movie I make teaches me something. That’s why I keep making them.’ ‘I don’t believe in pessimism. If something doesn’t come up the way you want, forge
The anatomy of creative failure and how to avoid it… turn the impossible into the inevitable
We are the five people we hang out with. The key to success in life is setting high standards and then taking action in accordance with those high standards. What makes it hard to do this is that we become the people we are closest to, and they may not
50 Kisses selected for the Rhode Island International Film Festival 2014
GREAT NEWS! We have a North American Premiere for 50 Kisses at the prestigious Rhode Island Film Festival! Site HERE Dates: August 5th to 10th 2014 This is a GREAT festival, I went about five years ago (video blog here) – the venue and audiences are outstanding and I am
‘Roger and Me’, Interviewing Roger Corman at the Great American Pitchfest, full Podcast
Yesterday I had the great privilege of interviewing the legendary Roger Corman onstage at the Great American Pitchfest. Aside from a few microphone niggles, it was a splendid conversation with a man who for me was a kind of grandfather to my career. I wanted the conversation to be about
50 Kisses on BBC WM Radio with Noreen Kahn
Tracey Flynn, screenwriter of Poster Boy and Anil Rao, filmmaker of Neil, both joined me for a chat on BBC West Midlands Saturday Radio show with Noreen Khan ahead of the screening tonight on the Giant Screen here in Birmingham. Tickets HERE. It’s still quite amazing that 50 Kisses is
Top Ten Quotes for creatives by Steve Jobs
It’s hard to write anything about Steve Jobs without being awed by his life and career. Apple and Pixar. What a stunning legacy. Above is his Stanford Commencement speech from 2005, and it’s as inspiring as it is instructive. What a man. ‘Just make it great.’ ‘Your time is limited,
50 Kisses on BBC Midlands Tonight
Today I went to BBC Broadcasting house to record a piece for the BBC Midlands article on 50 Kisses ahead of the screening this weekend on the Giant Screen in Birmingham. There are still tickets here and the screen is HUGE! (get tickets HERE) The interview was short, maybe three
Top 31 Quotes For Writers And Creatives by Stephen King
I love Stephen King. As a kid I worked my way through a mountain of his books. Years later and as a filmmaker and screenwriter, I discovered his book ‘On Writing’. For me, this was a gamechanger read. Not because it’s a superb ‘how too’ manual (which it is), but
Why you are not successful yet. The truth.
OK here it is. If you are not successful right now, you have two choices. Give up or keep going. But know that true success, true mastery, is something that takes dedication and a great deal if time. So keep going, success lies in your future if you continue to
50 Kisses in Digital Filmmaker Magazine
50 Kisses director Sebastian Solberg knows the value of PR, and has managed to secure a fantastic four page spread in this months Digital Filmmaker magazine. You can read the whole article HERE. Well done Seb for keeping going – and we hope you and all the other writers and
Top ten Stanley Kubrick Quotes
Love him or loathe him, Kubrick is an icon of 20th Century filmmaking. Here are my top ten favourite quotes of his… ‘If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed’ ‘I do not always know what I want, but I do know what I don’t want’ ‘Perhaps
Filmmaking is a marathon and not a 100 meter dash… Pace for success
As a kid, I remember long distance runner Zola Budd. Running barefoot and a clear underdog, she did more for me than win championships and excite crowds, she inspired me profoundly. It has been demonstrated time and again to me that success in this industry is largely about being the
Rocketboy redraft complete and the art of minimalism
Hitting ‘save’ for the final time on the latest draft of Rocketboy and I am pretty sure we have nailed it. So much has changed in this new draft, but the one big note I want to share is just about using fewer words. I posted on Facebook recently, in
How Swiss Artist HR Giger Inspired Me To Be A Better Filmmaker
HR Giger, who died earlier this week, was a genuine, authentic, bonkers crazy artist. The genuine article. Imaginative, daring, confronting, shocking, sublime… when I saw his work as a teenager, it was like hearing a new genre of music for the first time. Something I had never experienced before. It
Getting Edit Notes From The Producer: Top Ten Tips
Having helped on countless filmmakers working on both shorts and features, I have come to notice certain patterns in the cutting room. Especially in the final days. As the picture lock gets closer, so the idea of ‘we will get to it later’ becomes ever less possible. Options are narrowing,
Who are you writing for? One technique to help you focus on your target audience
I spend a lot of time writing stuff. Nowhere near as much time writing creatively (drama) as I should, but still, it’s writing. I am always looking for tools to help me write both faster and more powerfully. Recently I have been trying out writing for just one person. Not
Morpheus… ‘Do you think it’s air you breathing now?’ Choose your reality with open eyes and wisdom
Reality is not the world around us. Reality is a story we tell ourselves about the world (often seeking confirmation and evidence from our family, peers and even strangers). Reality is defined by what we focus on and what we make it mean. Choose wisely as what to focus on,
How Getting Involved In A Community Film Festival Can Inspire You As A Film Maker
Guest post by Tom Worth Pic by Colin Tonks Last year I got involved with putting on the first ever Herne Hill Free Film Festival. It’s a local volunteer-run festival putting on free screenings in community venues including 4 big outdoor events. It’s part of a wider movement of free
Top Ten Alfred Hitchcock quotes for writers and filmmakers
Hitchcock, the original master of suspense, was also a master of promotion. His pithy one liners are great reminders that audiences LOVE thrill, shock and suspense, even in dramas… ‘Drama is life with the dull bits cut out’ ‘The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance
Dealing with Heartbleed and securing your digital assets… three steps for writers and filmmakers
If you arte anything like me, you have probably used the same password on more than one site. It’s probably an old password too, one that you have used for years and it’s probably short. God forbid it is something like ‘Password’. I have seen it, believe me. I needed
What’s the one thing missing from your financing arsenal?
Richard Holmes is a British film producing legend, with ten features under his belt, all budgeted at around £1m or more. And I am running his workshop in less than two weeks, and I wanted to share ONE thing that is worth coming for alone. Just one. Yes there is
Why the act of creation is ESSENTIAL for human beings
I have just spent the last hour on the phone to an extraordinary artist whose work will shake the world. The only problem is, she only gets glimpses of her brilliance and power. So how do you cope with the urge to create when you feel shut down by judgement,
Top ten Winston Churchill Quotes EVERY Filmmaker Needs To Hear
Every filmmaker could learn a thing or two about leadership, grit and determination from Winston Churchill. When I was growing up, my dad often quoted him, even playing an LP of his greatest speeches. It resonated with me then as much as it does today. So here are ten quotes
Something For The Weekend? Making The Passion Of The Christ
Mel Gibson’s brutal and deeply felt telling of the biblical tale of the crucifixion of Christ is a fascinating and apt documentary for today – in some ways its a horror movie, certainly a a torturous gore fest and a little bit unhinged. Irrespective of your own beliefs though, it
Baba Yaga And The Monster At The Edge Of Your Story
Baba Yaga And The Monster At The Edge Of Your Story The most misunderstood character in mythology might be a witch who eats children. Most people see Baba Yaga and see a monster, a crone, a cannibal in the woods, surrounded by bones. That’s one way of reading her. But
Feedback for the 2026 Online Screenwriters Festival
‘Chris, you were a fabulous host and every guest had something useful and inspirational to share. Great diversity in sessions, too.’ Melissa Baumann Siebert / Screenwriter, journalist, author ‘Real people kept it real, no Hollywood intimidation, no filler, and real information. Loved it.’ Susan Holgate / Screenwriter ‘Amazing programme of
#ShitHappyPodcast with Toni Powell
I recorded this podcast a few weeks again and its finally gone live! Show notes below too… Filmmaker Chris Jones shares the wild, gritty, and deeply meaningful journey behind his Oscar-shortlisted short Gone Fishing, his early guerrilla films, dawn raids, near-catastrophes, and the self-development quest that reshaped his life. A
Writing Without Shame: Lessons from Erotic Author Helène Noire
Helène Noire did not set out to become an erotic writer in the conventional way. There was no market research, no calculated leap into a lucrative genre, and no desire to shock for the sake of attention. Instead, her work emerged from a deeply personal place: a need to write
AI Rights For Writers: Real World Case Study
The Publishers of The Guerilla Filmmakers Handbooks series have approached us about AI licensing. Right now it feels like we need to decline their new addendum to the contract. I don’t think what they are asking, in principle, is unreasonable. I think they NEED to ask or be left behind.
Timelapse Of Ealing Studios Redevelopment
For the last, what feels like two or three years, Ealing Studios has undergone a huge transformation. As you may know, I have been based at the studios since 1997 when we made Urban Ghost Story here, and I just never left. I have seen huge staff turnover, with the
How Chris Jones’ Filmmaking Programmes helped bring my new documentary to the big screen by Nick Horrell
My first experience of Chris Jones at full speed was in a crowded training room at Ealing Studios and stunned to silence by his assertion: ‘You are all filmmakers.
Making A Micro Budget Movie as a First Time Director by Eric Garson
I’ve written this blog for a filmmaker who is embarking on making their debut micro budget feature film. My name is Eric Garson and I am a British Film Director. My debut feature film ‘Trophy Wife’, was released last summer 2024 and is available to watch on AmazonPrime, Tubi, Fawesome,
What Can Indie Film Makers Learn From A 15 Year Old Found Footage Sci Movie From South Africa?
It’s been some time since I saw ‘District 9’, it was in 2009 the cinema when it was released to be accurate, so there’s been distance. I rewatched it a few nights back and it has really stuck with me. Not just as a great film, but for many other
AI: A Writer’s Secret Editorial Department
In the evolving landscape of modern writing, artificial intelligence has emerged as a powerful ally for authors, particularly those navigating the challenging waters of self-publishing. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Don McVey, author of the dystopian sci-fi novel “Karakorum,” who shared his journey of discovery with AI
One Day… THREE EVENTS!
December 14th is turning into the BEST day of the year! We have three very cool things happening, and YOU should really dive in and get involved. First, our Christmas Super Meetup For Film and TV… Tickets are free, and it’s happening at the Ealing Project in the evening. You
How Good Is AI At Giving Feedback On A Short Story?
This post is a chronology of events, of an experiment more than anything. To ask the simple question, in 2024, can ChatGPT 4.0 offer useful feedback on a short story? What do you think?
Why Do We Have Such An Emotionally Violent Reaction To AI As Creatives?
I have a lot to say about AI. And maybe I will start posting here about my thoughts. Maybe I won’t. I am tired of the division and inability to have a coherent conversation without shock and hysteria on all sides. But I do have one biggie to share.
Do you suffer from Network-a-phobia? Join the club!
Do you suffer from Network-a-phobia? Join the club! Recently, the Guardian posted an article titled, There’s nothing more excruciating than trying to talk to someone who isn’t interested. And I should know … by Adrian Chiles. The article begins, ‘there are few things worse than trying to engage in conversation
Can Writing Horror Shorts Be A Career Accelerator?
Chris Jones Talks Twisted50 with Lucy V Hay of B2W There’s still time to write your horror short for Twisted50 volIII, and this podcast with Lucy V Hay explores the best way to succeed if you do. Related Posts: Can you write a Twisted Short Story to be published in
Twisted50 Podcast: Why We LOVE 1980’s Horror Movies
We all love horror literature. We are guessing we also have a passion for horror movies too. And the high watermark for cinema terror is the late 70’s and 80’s. So. Nervously shuffle down the jump scare back alley that is the 80’s cinematic and VHS memory lane, with Chris
Welcome to Twisted’s Weekly Themed Writing Challenge
Each week between now and the close of submissions, we are going to throw out a writing challenge for the community. A theme if you like. You can still write and submit any story to Twisted50, and at any time of course, but the themed weekly writing challenge will offer
Why Your Biggest Challenge In Your Career May Not Be Your Writing
The truth? People get hired by people they know. And people who like them. You need to be KNOWN. You need to be LIKED. You should also be talented too. But the truth? Talent has no value if people don’t know you, or do know you, but don’t feel that
Twisted50 vol III launches… Can YOU write a 2,000 word Twisted Tale?
What is Twisted 50? Twisted 50 is a part of the Create 50 initiative, which provides writers with the opportunity to submit their short scripts and stories for consideration. The project was born out of the desire to create a mechanism for writers to get their first credit on a
Roger Corman: The Inspiration Behind A Generation
‘Every film would be improved by removing 15 minutes and adding a helicopter explosion.’ I have yet to hear a more incisive and fundamentally true quote from any filmmaker. Roger Corman was the granddaddy of the ‘fuck it, let’s do it’ generation of filmmakers that I stand shoulder to shoulder
Dealing With Analogue Documents in a Digital World
The time has come. I have a stack of boxes of paperwork I just can’t carry around any more. They are from projects spanning the last 30 years and in truth I likely don’t need the paperwork at all. But still. Should I toss contracts? Urghhh. Hence them moving from
Join us for our LondonSWF’s4 Online Launch Weekend FREE!
A Full Weekend Of Screenwriting Sessions From The Best In The World… FREE Form LondonSWF Join us for our LondonSWF’s4 Online Launch Weekend FREE! March 2nd and 3rd, we are hosting a TWO DAY Screenwriters Online Festival and YOU can attend completely free. We have sessions delivered by Robert McKee,
The Tuesday Online, LSFReplay: Character in Storytelling with Phil and Ted
On Tuesday we continue our series of LondonSWF replays, the very best of our past events replayed live. This time it’s Phil and Ted on The Importance of Character in Storytelling. That will take place next Tuesday at 8pm UK time…. When: Tuesday Feb 27th at 8pm UK time Where:
William Nicholson on Rewriting ‘Gladiator’ and Landing an Unexpected Credit
On Friday we begin a series of LondonSWF replays, the very best of our past events replayed live. We kick off with Gladiator screenwriter William Nicholson. That will take place this Friday at 8pm UK time…. When: Friday Feb 23rd at 8pm UK time Where: https://londonswf.link/Friday Anyone can attend free.