ScriptMag | Jenna Avery Screenwriting

Jenna’s Sci-Fi Circuit column with Script Magazine.

Sci-Fi Circuit: ‘Stasis’ and the Underserved Low-Budget Sci-Fi Market

Sci-Fi Circuit columnist Jenna Avery interviews writer-director Nicole Jones-Dion about her feature length film, Stasis, and her lessons learned for up-and-coming sci-fi screenwriters. [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Exploring Sci-Fi With Writer Scott Myers

In my ongoing quest to make my sci-fi scripts the best they can possibly be — and help you do the same — I reached out to Scott Myers to get his take on the best way to break into the sci-fi market as well as his perspective on places where he commonly sees… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: ‘Time Lapse’ – A Good Script Opens Many Doors

There’s a compelling new sci-fi feature out there right now you won’t want to miss, called Time Lapse. Co-written by Bradley King and B.P. Cooper, it’s a slow-burning thriller that hooks you with just the right touches of mystery, sci-fi technology (with a little steampunk flare), and engrossing complications that draw you forward to a surprising and intriguing climax… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Insights from ‘The Machine’ – Near Future Sci-Fi Grounded in the Real World

A sci-fi spec screenwriter in today’s market has a number of hurdles to overcome. One of the primary challenges we face is learning not only to master great sci-fi storytelling but also how to do so on a limited budget. Until we’re top-of-the-line, A-list writers, any big budget features we’re bold enough to write… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Exploring the Problem of Exposition in Sci-Fi

One of the challenges with writing good science fiction is introducing not only the world itself, but any story background needed to set the stage for what’s to come. In my recent interview with Amazon Studios-optioned Adam Pachter, he mentioned his pet peeve about screenwriters using voiceover to get away with exposition that might… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Screenwriter Adam Pachter on Landing a Deal with Amazon Studios

Besides some of the standard approaches to breaking into the spec market, like querying agents and managers, attending pitchfests, or submitting to contests, what else is there for a sci-fi spec writer looking to get a little industry traction? Amazon Studios has been relatively new to the industry. They’ve undergone a number of changes… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Writing Low Budget Sci-Fi

If you’ve been following this column for a while, you’ll have seen the many recommendations about focusing on writing low-budget spec scripts from both screenwriting gurus like Chris Soth and Scott Myers, as well as sci-fi screenwriters who have been successfully breaking into the sci-fi market, like Dan Gordon and Shane Joseph Willis. Since… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Getting a Grip on the Sci-Fi Market with Writer Dan Gordon

By now you know how fascinated I am in not only how to write a great sci-fi script, but also in what it takes to break into the market as a sci-fi screenwriter. So when I heard that screenwriter Dan Gordon had recently had a sci-fi screenplay optioned, I reached out to him to… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Movies with a Message

One of the primary reasons I love sci-fi is that it provides a powerful vehicle for exploring social issues that might otherwise be too politically incorrect to tackle head on. I cut my sci-fi teeth watching Star Trek, which is known for its many messages and moral explorations, and I’m quite sure that it… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: The Enneagram of Sci-Fi

As a sci-fi screenwriter, I’m interested in more than just big tent pole movies. I want to write and see sci-fi stories with heart, stories that make me feel, stories that reveal character. I’ve always been a huge fan of Firefly and Serenity for that reason, and Joss Whedon continued to impress me particularly… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Sci-Fi Storytelling, Part 2 – Structure, Budget, & What’s Next

This is a continuation of my last article, “Sci-Fi Circuit: Sci-Fi Storytelling, Part 1 — Story Type, Mistakes, & Big Ideas“, with screenwriting mentor Chris Soth. In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore the classic structure of a sci-fi screenplay, talk about an overlooked aspect budgetary considerations, and look at coming up with… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Sci-Fi Storytelling, Part 1 — Story Type, Mistakes, & Big Ideas

When it comes to screenwriting structure, “Mini-Movie Method” guru and screenwriting mentor Chris Soth (Firestorm) is one of the best. I’ve been astounded listening to him break a logline into a plausible screenplay in mere minutes using his mini-movie methodology, including the dreaded second act so many screenwriters struggle over. Knowing Chris as a… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: The Purpose and Value of Science Fiction

Does sci-fi serve a purpose beyond that of entertainment or escapism? Why do we write, read, and love sci-fi? Arthur Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey) once said, “There’s no real objection to escapism, in the right places… We all want to escape occasionally. But science fiction is often very far from escapism, in fact… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: Breaking Into the Sci-Fi Spec Market with Screenwriter Shane Joseph Willis

As a sci-fi screenwriter, I’m fascinated with understanding what the current market is looking for in terms of science fiction spec scripts. This question is usually on my mind in some form or another: When it comes to breaking into the spec market as a sci-fi screenwriter, what does it take? To begin to… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: The Magic of World Building

What does it take to make a sci-fi world real? As a science fiction fan, I love to be transported into new and fantastical worlds. As a sci-fi screenwriter, I’m fascinated by understanding what it takes to make that happen, and happen well? It’s not just a pretty gadget Part of the appeal as… [read more at ScriptMag]

Sci-Fi Circuit: What Makes It Sci-Fi?

I was indoctrinated into the world of sci-fi by my father at the tender age of nine, when he handed me my first sci-fi book, The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke. Right around the same time, I saw Star Wars. I was hooked. Together, they changed my life. No longer was… [read more at ScriptMag]