"Situation" vs. "Story"

Should this man instead be
commenting on our consumerist
society?

“Situation” and “story” are two key concepts that will often confuse even experienced writers.  Which is unfortunate, as the terms are relevant to all forms of dramatic writing and most forms of literature.  So what exactly do they mean?

Why RUBICON Won't Make It Past Its First Season

Would someone please
shoot at this guy or
something?

Fair warning: Spoilers are rife in the below.

A few weeks ago, AMC sneak-previewed (“snuck previewed”?) the pilot to their upcoming conspiracy thriller series Rubicon.  If you want to get a head-start before the official premiere on August 1, the episode is available online at the AMC site.

Everybody likes a good thriller, and AMC has produced nothing but quality since entering the “scripted” market with Mad Men and Breaking Bad (more on those another time).  So I was rooting for this show.  But what a disappointment.

"Learning Screenwriting" Page Added

Just added a separate page with recommendations for books and materials for becoming a screenwriter.  Click on "Learning Screenwriting" in the Content section on the right.

A Manifesto of Sorts

Ever get the feeling, as you’re leaving your local multiplex, that something was "off"? No, not the large popcorn you snarfed down before the previews were over. I mean, off about the movie. Perhaps it wasn't outright terrible, but it left you unsatisfied. The actors might have been fine, the direction and editing snappy, the cinematography beautiful. And yet, something didn't come together. Want to know the reason?