Elliot Grove, Scriptwriter
Scriptwriter tips:
- Try to answer these questions when you look at a film - What made you get interested in the story? At which minute did you first get bored? At which minute did you first get interested? Were there any common elements in the setting, the action, the characterisation that connect the films? What did you like most about each film? What did you like least?
- Read the trade papers. Read the film magazines. Read the trashy weeklies. Scour these publications for hard news and juicy gossip that will arm you with knowledge.
- Go and see as many Hollywood films as you possibly can.
Stephen Lowenstein, Writer-director & Author of ‘My First Movie’
Film-maker tips:
- "Trying to make a feature film yourself with no money is the best film school you can do" Quentin Tarantino, director of Reservoir Dogs.
- "The guy Stanley Kubrick rented his camera from taught him how to load it on the day he was shooting his first film. And I'm a believer in the Stanley Kubrick school of filmmaking!" Richard Linklater, director of Slacker.
- "What I'd say to people without a lot of money but with a great idea, with a good script, is that now they can take their camera and they can produce their film for a few bucks" Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, director of Amores Perros.
- "The aim of creativity is not only allowing spontaneity but actively provoking a little bit of chaos. So that you're throwing everything into the air and then the right things start to fall into some sort of pattern" Shekhar Kapur, director of Elizabeth.
- "Never ever trust (the opinion of) people who haven't proved what they can do by making a film." Lukas Moodysson, director of Show Me Love.
- "I'd say the most important thing about being a director is having something to say. The thing you learn is how to say it." Neil Jordan, director of Angel.
Shaggy, Musician
Songwriter tips:
- Song structure can give the listener a natural sense of light and shade between the verse and chorus. Ideally your chorus should appear before 60 seconds into your song.
- Make sure that your verses draw the listener into your song. Define who's talking, where the story is taking place and give an idea of where you're going.
- Your chorus must be exciting and easily remembered. The best hooks can be remembered after just one listening.
- An audience probably won't bother listening to your song if the melody is weak.
- Most popular songs have four beats in a bar with a clear 'left right left right' feel - Try rehearsing your songs to a metronome or a drum machine.
- Don't be afraid to use a famous chord sequence as the basis for your song - Try two different chords per bar in your chorus for a change of pace.
- Don't censor yourself. If you have a strange or unusual idea for a song, use it.
