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The Writer's Forge
351 members • Free
ZEN STORY AND FILM ACADEMY
11 members • $9/month
5 contributions to The Writer's Forge
22d •
Off to see LOTR: Two Towers. 3:44 min run time! Wish me luck!
We saw LOTR last week and are seeing the other two in theaters this weekend. It's a lot of sitting! I'll need a lot of caffeine to get thru these, but they're well worth it to see the amazing spectacle on screen. So if you have a chance to see any of them this weekend, go and let us know what your experience is like. We were all blown away seeing the first one the other night. Also, I totally did not get choked up and maybe cry a little when Boromir died, so mind your own business. I am totally not a sap who cries in movies. Shhh...
1 like • 22d
I haven’t witnessed a battle scene better than Helm’s Deep to this day
23d •
A beloved film you hate, an under-rated gem and a guilty pleasure. Go!
Beloved/Hated Shawshank Redemption. OMFG a hallmark card come to life, filled with sappy cliches. I hate this film. Hate hate hate! Admittedly it's been years since I saw it and maybe I should rewatch. Maybe it's not that bad. But I can't rewatch because I've invested so much of myself in hating it, so I'm going to stick with that. Also in contention, Field of Dreams. Ugh. Under-rated Gem: Love Lies Bleeding. An absolute masterpiece in film noir and fantasy and passion and crime and all those good things. Right up there with Bound in terms of great female characters that are burning with life. Guilty Pleasure Armageddon. Bruce Willis flying to space to blow up an asteroid that's going to destory earth? LET'S GO! Also anything with Sharks. Including Deep Blue Sea, about a beautiful scientist harvesting the brain tissue of DNA-altered sharks as a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease. What could go wrong?! Luckily, Sam Jackson comes to save the day. I loved it so much I dragged my entire family to see it. After there were like... why did you make us watch that? Ingrates.
3 likes • 22d
Beloved/Hate: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Normally I love me some Gary. Normally I love a Cold War reconnaissance movie. I was intensely underwhelmed by someone I consider to be on the Mt. Rushmore of actors and he still got nominated for an Oscar that year! Gem: Once Upon a Time in America For all the successes of Sergio Leone’s career, he really saved the best for last. Guilty Pleasure: Goodfellas I have watched this movie under a variety of circumstances. It still feels new each time. Scorsese masterclass in character development, soundtrack and narration
Dec '25 •
Marty Supreme - Utterly compelling and did not give a damn about the "cat."
Saw this movie last night with my daughter. We both found it to be an absolute masterpiece. He's self absorbed, manipulative, ambitious, irresponsible, broke ass and a fantastic example of what I preach about over and over and over -- he's utterly compelling. I have theories of why, but I'm curious if anybody has seen this movie. Your reaction? And I'd love to know other characters who don't fit the bill from the hackey Save the Cat model. But you love and can't look away from.
1 like • Dec '25
Also loved it. The character reminds me of Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street a bit. They both have that “hustle” woven into their genetic fabric and prioritize outcomes over relationships until their world as they know it slips through their fingers
Dec '25 •
Seminar Folk - Session 2 Homework - No Toast For You!
Take a look at Jack Nicholson in the classic 5 Easy Pieces diner scene. This is a great example of a character who has his own inner life/agenda that absolutely comes to the surface, even when confronted with a trivial event. Your character needs to have an inner life of their own that drives them through every interaction, no matter how insignificant. This doesn't mean that every encounter needs to be some sort of blow up. Just that your character should feel specific, even in every day encounters. Here is the exact dialogue. I've hired the Waitress and given her her lines. Your job is to show up on the day of shooting with your lead actor(s). And order some damn toast. Let's see how that goes for you. You can alter the Waitress' lines slightly. But let's try to stick to the No Substitutes rule, because otherwise this place will be full of trouble makers like you in here ordering toast and tomatoes and then... god help us all. Due... soon... so some discussion in this thread can take place before Tuesday. Don't make me put on my turtleneck and windbreaker.
3 likes • Dec '25
TW: profanity and mild violence Alfredo da Costa (Alfa) is a detrimental influence ultimately on Marco, the protagonist, but initially and primarily on Leo, the protagonist's older brother. He romanticizes their time in the army during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. Alfa's angst is derived from his insecurity with his sexual orientation which only accelerates within a hypermasculine culture in the midst of global conflict. INT. diner Alfa I'd like a plain omelet, no potatoes, tomatoes instead, a cup of coffee and wheat toast. Waitress No substitutions. She points to the spot on the menu which confirms the policy. Alfa looks at Marco and Leo defiantly. The two chuckle in amusement. Alfa slowly looks up towards the waitress. Alfa What, they don't got any fucking tomatoes over here? Waitress is exuding exasperation. Waitress Only what's on the menu. You can have a #2 plain omelet, it comes with cottage fries and rolls. Alfa Yeah I guess you guys know something about #2 over here, this place is a fucking shithole. Marco and Leo reservedly chuckle. The tension mounts. Alfa and the waitress stare into each others' souls. Leo You'll have to forgive his disposition, he's from Naples. Alfa diverts his gaze from the waitress to Marco and Leo, the two of them holding back laughter. Alfa appears amused but a more sinister dimension is beginning to emerge. Alfa *in an exaggerated accent* Sì, sì, I can-a hard-a-ly read this menu. Marco and Leo continue to chuckle. Alfa flops the menu down on the table in performative frustration. Waitress is visibly annoyed by the table's antics, she reaches for the menu. In a fraction of a second, Alfa has a gun to her ribs. She freezes. Alfa Listen, if I wanted alligator you'd go down to the fucking zoo, bring it back and make me some goddam soup. You serve what the fuck I ask for. Got it? Waitress nods, beginning to hyperventilate. Alfa's hand is pinning hers down to the table, he releases her. She walks towards the kitchen hurriedly.
0 likes • Dec '25
@David Stem lol one second
Dec '25 •
New Member Thread - December Babies issues - Welcome our new arrivals!
We've had quite a few people signing up in December, so I wanted to make a thread specifically for them! If you've been in the community for a while yourself, drop in and welcome them, let them know what you've learned and what the resources are here. And if you're new coming thru the doors, don't be shy! Come say hi and get to know our great founding members who have helped build this place over the last two months! Welcome @Oscar Perez Ramirez @Ellie Allen @Ian Campbell @Ioannis Koutroubis @Olivis Hyde @Nick Pamment @Uzoma Chukwuonye @Christopher Robin Andrews @Ray Hernandez @Wasly Castillo @Zandrew Sonnemaker @Clay Smith @Rose Anna @Christine C @Arlene Flower @Max Russo @Irfan Qaiser @Gerry Brauders @Giao Nguyen @Tramaine Montgomery @Rachel Moran @Mb Stevens @Sandon Yahn @AllieGrace Woodard @William Khaziri @Brielle Randall @Chad Desrochers @Zac Gillam @Gary Horne @Kitti Mészáros @Jon Bliss @Nathan S Jones @Jon Evans @Yolanda Zamora @Katricia Fann @Mike Mckee @Ryan Sulak @Richie Banz @Stephen Brogdon @Lena Lieuvin @Lindis Courtney @Piter Marek @Kate Zarczynski @Kay Ross @Nick Ebeling @Franco Amurri @Mark Haapala @Zsolt Nagy
1 like • Dec '25
@David Stem good note. And yeah that is the term 😂 nailed it
1 like • Dec '25
@Jason Smith I love that one. The “you were my only friend” scene gets me every time
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