Articles written by Janice Hally

An audition can make or break the career of any actor. Prepare well in advance to give yourself the best possible opportunity on the day.

Jan 24, 2012 - Janice Hally

All actors, singers and performers face auditions. Being prepared can make the difference between fame and fortune, and becoming a server in a restaurant.

Dec 30, 2011 - Janice Hally

It is possible for actors to find work for themselves, or does every actor need to have an agent?

Nov 29, 2011 - Janice Hally

Being self-employed as an actor means taking responsibility for your earnings and outgoings so that you don't pay too much tax.

Oct 30, 2011 - Janice Hally

Every actor should be aware of the other people around him on the film or television set, or stage, and the jobs that they are trying to do.

Sep 29, 2011 - Janice Hally

If you are considering a career as an actor or performer, do you have the qualities and skills you'll require, and if not, can you acquire them?

Aug 15, 2011 - Janice Hally

Learning the craft of screenwriting can offer an insight into how scripts are constructed, but there are many things that courses cannot teach scriptwriters

Jul 11, 2011 - Janice Hally

The serial drama, mini-series or longer, which tells one main story across several episodes requires careful planning.

Jun 30, 2011 - Janice Hally

Having the talent to write a screenplay is just the start. Scriptwriters need confidence, creativity and the ability to make concessions, to be successful.

May 23, 2011 - Janice Hally

Over-used character types and formulaic storylines are bad, but clichés can still form the basis of highly successful movies.

Feb 23, 2011 - Janice Hally

Producers and script readers are influenced by first impressions. It's important to avoid the most common spelling and grammar errors.

Feb 14, 2011 - Janice Hally

Protecting a script is straightforward but protecting an idea is not.

Feb 11, 2011 - Janice Hally

The movement between the end of one scene and beginning of the next scene can form part of the drama and may play an important part in engaging the audience

Jan 29, 2011 - Janice Hally

Tips for commencing the process of writing a script for big or small screen.

Jan 28, 2011 - Janice Hally

Subplots provide extra depth to every script, but they must be merged with the main storyline in a way that enhances the drama instead of detracting from it

Jan 17, 2011 - Janice Hally

Turning a book into a drama for big or small screen raises the issue of securing the right to adapt and broadcast the screen version of the story.

Jan 10, 2011 - Janice Hally

What is the difference between linear and non-linear storytelling? And how can a writer make best use of nonlinear development of a story?

Jan 3, 2011 - Janice Hally

Becoming a scriptwriter and selling a movie script means being realistic about what it takes to become a successful screenwriter.

Dec 30, 2010 - Janice Hally

You have finally managed to get a meeting with producers to discuss and pitch your screenplay. It's make or break time. How do you make a success of it?

Dec 30, 2010 - Janice Hally

Getting your screenplay into the hands of a Hollywood producer or any other producer starts with persuading someone to read it.

Dec 12, 2010 - Janice Hally

How to write a cover letter that will convince a producer to read your screenplay. The pitch for your idea can mean life or death for your script.

Dec 4, 2010 - Janice Hally

Selling a screenplay to Hollywood, or anywhere else, starts with making sure that your script doesn't fall at the first hurdle.

Dec 3, 2010 - Janice Hally

A professional approach will increase your chances of being taken seriously as a screenwriter. Learn how to put the finishing touches to a screenplay.

Nov 22, 2010 - Janice Hally

Re-writing or editing a script for theatre, television, or film follows the same basic steps.

Nov 15, 2010 - Janice Hally

"High concept" - an idea that can be summed up in one sentence - or is it something more?

Nov 12, 2010 - Janice Hally

Scriptwriting and storytelling are two separate arts. Writing the script is when the scriptwriter puts the flesh on the bones of a script outline.

Nov 2, 2010 - Janice Hally

How to find an idea for writing a story for a film, a play or a book.

Oct 25, 2010 - Janice Hally

Every film or television script needs to be thought through, and a detailed outline drawn up before a scriptwriter is commissioned to write the script.

Oct 22, 2010 - Janice Hally

Screenwriters and novelists brought together as 15th Polar&Co Festival of Crime Writing expands to include film and TV scriptwriting as well as books.

Oct 14, 2010 - Janice Hally

How to behave correctly at a story conference.

Oct 5, 2010 - Janice Hally

How to come up with story ideas for soap opera and long-running television drama serials.

Sep 27, 2010 - Janice Hally

What is a story conference and what is the best way for a writer to approach one?

Sep 24, 2010 - Janice Hally

Well-planned subplots enhance screenplays, but where, when, and why, should a screenwriter use them?

Sep 17, 2010 - Janice Hally

Writing a movie script is not like other kinds of writing. Scriptwriters need more than just writing talent in order to survive in the film-making industry.

Sep 10, 2010 - Janice Hally

Writing a screenplay can be a long process of negotiation. Writers must learn to work with others if they want to survive.

Sep 3, 2010 - Janice Hally

Writers of film scripts soon find out that having a movie script commissioned marks the beginning of a series of script meetings and a potential minefield.

Sep 3, 2010 - Janice Hally

Engaging the audience is the most important element of story structure.

Aug 24, 2010 - Janice Hally

Why nascent screenwriters should forget formulae and trust their instinct.

Aug 12, 2010 - Janice Hally

The scene is from "Class Action." The script was written by Carolyn Shelby & Christopher Ames and Samantha Shad.

Aug 9, 2010 - Janice Hally

The hardest task for a scriptwriter is to write scenes where the audience finds out about a character's past.

Aug 9, 2010 - Janice Hally

Analysis of a scene for "Class Action" by Carolyn Shelby & Christopher Ames and Samantha Shad which demonstrates the writer's art of exposition.

Aug 9, 2010 - Janice Hally

Analysis of a scene for "Class Action" by Carolyn Shelby & Christopher Ames and Samantha Shad which demonstrates the writer's art of exposition.

Aug 9, 2010 - Janice Hally

How important are page numbers when writing a script?

Aug 6, 2010 - Janice Hally

A script which has a clearly defined concept has a better chance of being sold to producers.

Aug 6, 2010 - Janice Hally

Scriptwriting is the craft of knowing exactly when, where and how to reveal information to an audience.

Aug 5, 2010 - Janice Hally

Audiences become engaged with stories when they know more than the characters do.

Aug 5, 2010 - Janice Hally

When characters have secrets from each other or from themselves, the audience becomes more deeply involved with the story.

Aug 5, 2010 - Janice Hally

Delivering the pitch for an idea to a television executive is a writer's first and only chance to make an impression. It's important to make the most of it

Jun 16, 2010 - Janice Hally

Holding back information is the way to draw viewers in to a story.

Jun 2, 2010 - Janice Hally

How to make the drama move forward and bring the audience into a story.

Jun 2, 2010 - Janice Hally