These Are The Mistakes That Screenwriters Make Again And Again - Shannan E. Johnson

Shannan E. Johnson, a native of Houston, TX, is a former creative executive at The Syfy Channel turned CEO of the first black-owned script consultancy in the entertainment industry, The Professional Pen. The Professional Pen is a writer-centered service provider helping emerging and established creatives develop their stories for the screen.
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[@filmcourage]

Here is our full interview with Shannan - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4bHZpuQgZtlg6M

[@andrewgraeme8429]

Shannan nails it again! And she's as beautiful as ever!

[@ShannanEJohnson]

💚

[@Ruylopez778]

Shannan is somehow able to articulate things in such broad terms, in a straightforward way, while still providing nuance and depth. It feels so authentic. She has specific examples that hammer home her point precisely, and give a sharp does of reality, but also the actionable solutions that make it very motivational. I think it must come from being an expert observer of human behaviour and a high degree of empathy. Where other commentators in the industry would resort to banal, convenient or reductive narratives, Shannan connects the dots for the viewer with actual insight, while still treating them with respect. It's a great pity there isn't a Shannan involved with every movie, tv & streaming project, or perhaps there is but people are too egotistical to listen.

[@level_ken5231]

Exactly why I would love to get into her courses.

[@Ruylopez778]

@@level_ken5231 I wouldn't be able to relocate for her courses, but I would definitely pay for her feedback if I had the funds available.

[@blainemarcano]

You need to know to express that you’re right without saying, “I’m right.” It’s got to be through the writing.

[@harrybanks5607]

She is truly good!

[@jimm3370]

Ms. Johnson is a master of her craft and such a talented instructor. Thank you for this. I really REALLY hope that a woman of this caliber is cleaning up in H'wood.

[@tbroan]

SHANNAN!! Thank you FilmCourage. You guys don't miss. And thank you to the interviewer, amazing as always, asking the right questions.

[@rebeccaoliver7977]

What I love about Shannan is she values everybody in the process. I didn't think I'd ever want someone reworking my script. I can better see how people need to develop the rewrite skill or just keep generating great ideas and let the people who can't come up with ideas, focus on sharpening a great idea.

[@TamirYardenne]

She's the best!!!

[@SonGoku-xi7dv]

i'm so in love with this lady's brain as a script consultant. I just want to stick it in a jar in the most non violent non creepy way. She's a genius.

[@nickybjammin7629]

I understood everything she explained this’s a lot to articulate it’s an inner woven verbal process between people. And don’t be scared to ask or take the time to make sure they understand what you need to know. I’m gonna listen again though but that was pretty amazing.

[@tonykono5225]

I like Shannon’s way of giving notes ahead of time so the writer can digest them.

[@jeffmcmahon3278]

What a great analogy with the essay. Spot on. Maybe I did something correct years ago when I registered my business name as 'EssayFilms" (it was supposed to be a play on the terms South Australian Films but this has given me some extra credence I never anticipated.) Thank you Shannan.

[@filmcourage]

What is the toughest problem you face in writing screenplays?

[@matt2matt21]

Love me some Shannan! Always so articulate, but right to the point with no BS.

[@candellina6]

Ah... it's good to finally have time to sit down and watch these kinds of videos again 😅

[@shadethedon8351]

Shannon is definetely the goat of this whole FILM COURAGE channel ! 🔥

[@filmcourage]

One more segment left to publish with the full interview on deck. Here are our previous interviews with Shannan - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqjGhZqbbs55Zqc and kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKGToXegi92Bb7c

[@keeganwebb7777]

Excellent teacher.

[@BionicDance]

*WHAT EXECUTIVES SHOULD NEVER DO:* Insist that a script tick every box on the Popular Movies Include These™ checklist. *ESPECIALLY DON'T:* Insist on a love story. Don't demand that the protagonists get it on if they don't in the original draft. Gratuitous, unnecessary, unwanted most of the time. Completely out of place, given the premise of the movie. _"Eeek! We're being attacked by sea monsters! Quick! Kiss me and maybe they'll go away!"_ (I'm looking at _you,_ "Deep Rising". And I got more.) Seriously...stop that.

[@Speed202]

She actually knows what she's talking about and provides concrete examples. Oftentimes, the guests here seem to be making up answers off the top of their head.

[@lillyfluffy1636]

Great discussion.

[@afrosymphony8207]

really great advice. i remember fincher giving similar advice about how knowing the ins and out of your script is great for communicating to ppl why your idea or ur "way" is the right way to do things, especially the ppl financing the movie. unless ur david lynch or sthng not many studios will give u money to do whatever floats ur boat lool

[@mixboy79]

Great video and valuable information. It's crazy how it's such a common flaw about the inciting indecent.

[@spencercharlotte297]

Shannan is great

[@bradyarguin]

What video do we get to see the chalk board filled out? 👀

[@filmcourage]

It's coming!

[@russellpuerini7573]

Shannen is so clear. The best there is. I wonder if she also has connections

[@user-vw6xp5nl6t]

Just pick their best note and make one significant change. This is so they can’t technically accuse you of being difficult.

[@MsMarmima]

I always thought of stories being similar to essays lol

[@marsilv4319]

She is just the best. I swear her name alone is clickbait!

[@TheOneChartine]

❤❤❤

[@gregorylagrange]

I think a lot of people can make an extensive list of movies to illustrate why executives are seen as the enemy.

[@kuramobay2445]

Basically, executives who have read one or two screenwriting manuals decide what they want to read and the screenwriters deliver. There is no singular vision. There's no director working with the writer. This is executive-curated content. AI is perfect for this sort of writing, plus AI doesn't give attitude.

[@osw330904]

Writers are vastly too underpaid to jump through so many hoops with people (executives/producers) who dont understand screenwriting…

[@Thenoobestgirl]

Why are these executives the ones giving the notes if they're not even trained at story structure etc? 🤨 Seems to me that who should be giving those notes is a good writer themselves...

[@chefchronos4288]

being a DM for DnD or any RPG is a good exercise without even knowing it.

[@Decova1337]

Have you tried Mathew Coville following his example can improve your DM skills. Also Guy from How to be a Great Gm. Web DM is pretty good too.

[@taewoods2034]

What? I can't understand what you are saying lol

[@Decova1337]

@@taewoods2034 www.youtube.com/@mcolville www.youtube.com/@WebDM www.youtube.com/@HowtobeaGreatGM 3 DMs that can help anyone out on being a DM

[@RenBen10]

The problem with most artists, is they’re taking advice as law. Get the necessary technique down and find your own voice. Listen to all, follow your own voice. Your art will be taken on for hundreds if not thousands of years. Don’t be formulaic.

[@jerrop]

Hey fellow film makers I am in Kenya(Africa) and I wanna come to los Angeles but I don't know how?? am 17 years old please drop your comments

[@thereccher8746]

She's confusing the inciting incident with the Act 1 set-up.

[@SDIBINGA]

Im telling yaull Shannan is DIFFERENT. Ive spent thousands of dollars on notes and coverage and NOONE explains things as clearly and gives ACTIONABLE notes like Shannan

[@samantaluna3870]

Do people really make screenplays with no incident incident or goal? Thats basically the base of a story. 🤨

[@Decova1337]

As a writer just tell them F off. What is problematic for one person doesn’t mean it’s problematic for the audience.

[@enumajek1764]

Are you aware of the consequence of doing that or you just said what you did for fun?

[@Decova1337]

@@enumajek1764 the consequences are you can get fired or HR gives you a little chat. But as a writer you should never go by the opinion of a single person no matter what authority their occupation holds. The emotions or even trauma that can be triggered isn't necessarily your fault. In general there is a decent proportion that are okay with problematic events, some are even completely are unfazed. The generalization of "problematic" phrasing is completely subjective. The error could be grammar. Could be boring, could be lack of romance. Could be that the person thinks they need an explanation because they are not knowledgeable on the subject or even think the audience needs hand holding. etc... The only time it is when it is consequential is when do so maliciously or is in clear violation of a nation's law. Or the fact you don't put a warning label. Talking smack on the internet is a given form of emotional and psychological vulnerability that everyone is at risk of experiencing

[@halfdayofthejackal9372]

Absolute gibberish. We wonder why movies are unwatchable garbage these days, it's because there are two dozen "untrained note givers" for every artist.

[@IndiephantomSofaSinema]

I totally agree. Screenwriting teachers are the biggest grifters in the industry.

[@charltonm9147]

I'm sorry but, NO NO NO NO!!!!

[@luca414s]

why?

[@bodyhairpositive9485]

Shannan E. Johnson is amazing. Please upload the full interview! :)