Everest & the Triumph of Character

‘Human beings simply aren’t meant to function at the cruising altitudes of a seven-forty-seven’

Yet every year hundreds of people do just that.  

Everest (2015), stars a multitude of famous faces, including Jason Clarke, Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Brolin, and focuses on the events that occurred in 1996. In May of that year, two commercial expeditions were hit by one of the most serve storms recorded. The film follows the true story of the mountaineers, as they try to survive on Mount Everest. 

One of the main things I love about films that are based a real events, is that it heightens the drama of the situation. As thrilling and captivating as fiction can be, it is pales in comparison to truth. In those heart-stopping moments, nothing is more terrifying than knowing that it actually happened to someone. That someone lived those moments.

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Invictus: How Rugby Can Unite a Nation

'Sport has the power to change the world’.

The immortal words of Nelson Mandela and a saying he lived by, during his tenure as President of South Africa.

His most famous success was relived in the 2009 film, Invictus. The story of how Nelson Mandela helped unite post apartheid South Africa by winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Morgan Freeman embodied the South African President and his journey to the World Cup Final, with Springbok Captain Francois Pienaar, played by Matt Damon. Mandela understood the importance of the Springboks to the white Afrikaners, but also the hatred it evoked in the black population. He saw it as an opportunity to unite all people in his newly declared Rainbow Nation. That year Nelson Mandela strode out onto the pitch at Ellis Park in Johannesburg at the World Cup Final, proudly wearing the green and gold jersey of the Springboks. Hand and heart outstretched, he openly welcomed those that had previously represented oppression in South Africa, and encouraged everyone else to do so too.

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Spectre & The Lasting Influence of James Bond

The name's Bond, James Bond. 

With the release of Spectre, it's our 24th time to hear those infamous words. They have been said by nearly everyone at some point in their lives. Bond has become the ultimate spy, outlasting all his rivals.

With Spectre set to break box offices records, the latest version of Bond will be no different. With that, I thought it would be good to take a look back on the lasting influence of the James Bond franchise, and why it has been so successful. 

From it's incarnation in Ian Fleming's first book, Casino Royale in 1953, to it's cinematic debut in Dr. No in 1967, James Bond has endured in both forms for over half a century, capturing the hearts and imaginations of people the world over. 

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Films to Watch for Halloween

As we just over a week away from Halloween, I think we can start the countdown by getting in the mood with some top horror and thriller films. 

Rather than going for the more recent horror/gore films, I have chosen a list of classic favourites. Some of theses films have stood the test of time and will be top picks for years to come and some are what I would class as "newer" films (shows my age... ).

Without further ado, I present my list of films, in no particular order, to get you in the Halloween mood!

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Back to the Future: The Screenplay

Great Scott! The future is now!

In case you've been living under a rock, you may not be aware that today, October 21st, 2015, is in fact the day the in future that Marty and Doc Brown travel to, in the film Back to the Future II. 

Although today is solely focused on the sequel, I thought I would take a little time to look back on the first in series, that spawned the worldwide phenomenon, and why the franchise is still so successful all these years later.  

Where we're going, we don't need roads, but we do need a script. In my opinion the screenplay for the first Back to the Future holds the answer to all our questions (or least mine...)

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Top 5 Screenplays: Tips for beginner Screenwriters

Now before I begin, I don't claim to know everything about screenwriting. I myself, am only learning, but  I thought it would be good to give a list of the screenplays that I have found helped me learn the most.  Also I think reading other screenplays is one of the most overlooked practices when people start writing their own for the first time (which completely baffles me, but hey to each their own!).

These are from a variety of genres but I find it extremely beneficial to read screenplays from multiple genres, as each one has its own tips to offer. 

That said, if you are planning on writing a romantic comedy, you should probably read WAY more screenplays in that genre. However learning the techniques from films "outside your comfort zone" can help in many ways.  So throw in a thriller or horror in the midst of all your romantic comedies, you might be surprised at what you'll learn!

I have tried to include examples that I feel each provide their own individual lesson. 

So in no particular order….

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