Brian G. Walsh

There have been many theories regarding the true identity of the infamous serial killer known as "Jack the Ripper," but the relative of a renowned surgeon who has come forth claiming that his ancestor was the serial killer of Whitechapel claims to have found the very tool of Jack's trade: his knife. Jack the Ripper's knife is also the star of "Bloody Olde Knife," one of the twelve short stories in my anthology, "No Place For Mercy," which is available on Amazon.com In "Bloody Olde Knife," a petty thief digs up the knife in an unexpected place: the old Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit that is home to some of the Motor City's most famous figures. Alongside Civil War veterans lies the earthly remains of Solomon Sibley, Detroit's first mayor, and Coleman Young, perhaps its most controversial. At first considering the knife only for its value in a blackmail scheme, this small-time criminal slowly learns that the knife is taking con...

Great news! – A press release talking about my anthology has just been picked up and published on affiliates of NBC, CBS & ABC: NBC: http://www.nbc12.com/story/30247471/dark-fantasy-thriller-anthology-book-for-halloween-2015-published-on-amazon CBS: http://www.cbs8.com/story/30247471/dark-fantasy-thriller-anthology-book-for-halloween-2015-published-on-amazon ABC: http://www.abcnews4.com/story/30247471/dark-fantasy-thriller-anthology-book-for-halloween-2015-published-on-amazon The book is available at http://www.amazon.com/No-Place-Mercy-Eclectic-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00MT4CEZY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 12 intense stories with dynamic characters placed in impossible situations that reveal the true nature of human beings – and non-human beings. Stories that will alternately frighten and surprise you, shock and disturb you and even bring a tear to your eye.

A basic tenet of screenwriting is that the protagonist must face down the antagonist near the end of your screenplay. Though this seems obvious, your script should not make it obvious that your protagonist is going to catch up to the antagonist to “sort him/her out.” The antagonist should be seen as a powerful opposing force to your protagonist's plans. The antagonist should also be perhaps just a little more powerful or have better resources at his/her disposal, making the protagonist's job that much more difficult. We can see that the odds are stacked against the hero, and we're wondering how he/she will overcome them. Whatever seems the most obvious way to overcome them should be tried, but the protagonist should fail here. This sets up the moment when he/she believes all is lost and there is no way to defeat the antagonist. The showdown that comes must evolve naturally from the story, and should not feel contrived. When you have decided how you want your sto...

Yesterday's class was small but I got to meet some really good people. We're working on starting our own Jackson, Michigan Screenwriting Group so we can “workshop” each other's scripts to help them improve. I really enjoyed meeting these great people and hope to build this into a thriving community of screenwriters. The blueprint I'm teaching will help put you ahead of 90% of the crowd of people who send screenplays to producers because you will learn the current industry standard and pro tips and tricks to help make your script stand out from the crowd. The same Professional-Level Screenwriting Class will be held again on Tuesday, April 21, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM in the Community Room at the Meijer Branch of the Jackson District Library. The Meijer Branch is located at 2699 Airport Road, Jackson, MI 49202. Phone (517) 788-4480.

How do you begin a screenplay that will make Hollywood sit up and take notice? The first consideration is what will be your opening image. The very first thing the audience sees is important in helping to set the tone and in setting expectations. If possible, the first image should be the opposite of the final image. These don't have to be literally opposite images, but if it can be delivered literally, all the better. Quick example: If your opening image is of an abandoned run-down, old estate, your closing image, after your story develops to deliver the necessary changes, might be of a fixed-up estate which looks brand new, with the protagonist and his/her family bringing life to the old place. Alternately, you may just open with a dark tone and dark imagery and end with an optimistic tone and lively imagery. If possible, you should have your protagonist appear on page one. There are some instances when you wouldn't want this, such as when you depict a murder or ...

Is it a movie? That is the question writers need to ask before they begin writing a script. Boring the reader or viewer is the cardinal sin. People yawning in a movie theater is a sure sign of a movie that never should have been made. Some people think they have a great idea for a movie, but they don't develop it beyond the idea. I've read several scripts over the years that were about as exciting and entertaining as watching a tree grow. Watching a tree grow in the forest, where no one can see it, and where scripts like that are buried, hopefully forever. Many of the scripts I've read fall far short of an affirmative answer to this question. It is in the comedy genre that this occurs most often. Someone wants to write a comedy or romantic comedy screenplay, but the result is a series of comedy skits strung together to fill up the script. This is not a movie, it's a variety show. A movie requires an actual story with a beginning, middle and end. And th...

You can learn professional-level screenwriting. My class is being held at the Meijer Branch of the Jackson District Library on Tuesday, April 7 & Tuesday, April 21. Both classes run from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. http://myjdl.com/event/screenwriting-class/2015-04-07/ A blueprint you can use for every screenplay you write!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be teaching Professional Level Screenwriting on Tuesday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 21, from 1:30 PM EST to 3:30 PM EST, at the Meijer Branch of the Jackson District Library, 2699 Airport Road, Jackson, MI 49202, Phone (517) 788-4480 Please help spread the word. I would love to see you there.