Author Archives: Stewart Farquhar

About Stewart Farquhar

Stewart Farquhar holds Screenwriting and Advanced Screenwriting certificates from the Professional Program at The UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television. Stewart has analyzed over 6,500 scripts for private and studio clients. He is a produced playwright active screenwriter and an in demand lecturer. He presents as a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley, Loyola Marymount, Sherman Oaks Film School, and Cal State Long Beach. He has been a final story analyst for both Slamdance and scripts headed to Cannes for funding. He serves as Finals or Semi Finals judge for three of the major screenwriting contests. Social media links are at TheReadersCompany.com. Email: Stewart@TheReadersCompany.com

Why Spec Scripts Fail: Failure To Do Your Homework, Part 4

By: Stewart Farquhar | August 21, 2014 | Comments 2

In our previous homework discussions, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3, several reasons spec scripts fail may have seemed obvious or simplistic to some readers… As obvious as looking both ways before you cross the street. Or as basic as not falling prey to “TEXTAHOLISM” while you hold up traffic...

Why Spec Scripts Fail – Failure To Do Your Homework – Part 3

By: Stewart Farquhar | July 17, 2014 | Comments 0

In the previous articles of this Homework series, Part 1 and Part 2, we touched on a few of the reasons spec scripts end up as “virtual garden mulch” or “recycled electrons.” I paraphrased a quote in Part 2 attributed to Linda Voorhees that addresses paring down your script during the...

Why Spec Scripts Fail: Failure To Do Your Homework-Part 2

By: Stewart Farquhar | June 19, 2014 | Comments 0

In Part 1 of this series we discussed sixteen of the many reasons Spec Scripts fail. NOTE: spec scripts, be they hard copy or digital, are a completely different article than production scripts. The production script version is most of what you can find for free or for sale on the...

Why Spec Scripts Fail: Failure To Do Your Homework – Part 1

By: Stewart Farquhar | April 17, 2014 | Comments 9

In the past articles, Why Spec Scripts Fail, we explored some of several reasons why spec scripts receive the “Heave Ho.” Now I want to address some more reasons why your spec is dead on arrival. Never to be resurrected and read. Number one among the reasons is also the premier...

Why Spec Scripts Fail: The “Wrylie” (Parentheticals)

By: Stewart Farquhar | March 20, 2014 | Comments 1

In many cases a Wrylie is an essential part of the novice scriptwriter’s toolbox and is used as a means to make their characters and story understood. Stewart Farquhar explains.

Why Spec Scripts Fail: Relationships Not Consummated, PART 2

By: Stewart Farquhar | February 20, 2014 | Comments 0

In PART 1 of Relationships Not Consummated we discussed the emotional bond that a writer must develop between the character and the audience. The progression, of the audience bond we graphed last time, is an essential journey that unites the story a writer is asking the reader to take. However, to...

Why Spec Scripts Fail: Relationships Not Consummated, Part 1

By: Stewart Farquhar | January 16, 2014 | Comments 0

When a screenwriter gives birth to a character s/he creates an unspoken pact that promises the audience, “My Story and Character Will Not Bore You.” How does the writer live up to this commitment? Reach back into your personal journey and recall the people and incidents that stick with you. Why...

Why Spec Scripts Fail: Script Formatting – Details vs. ‘Detailitus,’ Part 2

By: Stewart Farquhar | December 19, 2013 | Comments 0

In our previous article, Details vs. ‘Detailitus,’ PART 1, we discussed how few words it takes to create a “fact-filled” opening scene. This time we will explore how minimal words can create a vivid picture and backstory in the mind of the readers that also invites them to turn the first...

Why Spec Scripts Fail: Screenwriting Format – Details vs. ‘Detailitus’ Part 1

By: Stewart Farquhar | October 17, 2013 | Comments 7

We discussed, in our previous two articles Backstory Thru Subtext, Part1 & Part 2, how just a few words can make a big difference in a scene. This time we will explore the screenwriting format world, and how a very few words can create a vivid picture in the mind of...

Why Spec Scripts Fail: Backstory Thru Subtext, Part 2

By: Stewart Farquhar | August 22, 2013 | Comments 5

Last time in, Part 1, we discussed how the environment creates behavior that leads to the dialogue a character uses to subtly reveal his or her backstory. I suggested that you rewrite the example scene, without any change in the length, to reveal something about backstory via subtext. If you haven’t...

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About Stewart Farquhar