Benjamin McEvoy

Essays on writing, reading, and life

David Mamet Dramatic Writing Masterclass Review (Week 3)

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This was the reason I took David Mamet’s MasterClass. I was looking forward to week 3 of the MasterClass since I first signed up and saw the syllabus. If you’re a Mamet fan, you can already guess why I’m so excited and what this week involved. Week 3 of the David Mamet Dramatic Writing MasterClass […]

5 Japanese Phrases That Will Improve Your Health, Wealth & Happiness

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Home to sushi, karaoke, used-panty vending machines, virtual anime singers and the flocks of nerds who worship them, and yours truly: Japan.  Japan is one of the most astonishing countries on the planet. The people are the friendliest you will ever meet. The food is out-of-this world delicious. The scenes of nature are breathtaking and […]

3 Lies We Tell Ourselves

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Unless you are a politician or a high-class escort, you have no business telling lies. You especially have no business telling lies to yourself. The lies we tell ourselves are often the most damaging. Their poison is slow-eating and insidious and it can take years before their devastating effects can be seen on your body, […]

David Mamet Masterclass Review (Week 2)

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I’m on the second week of the David Mamet MasterClass and I’m getting so much value out of my money. I thought week one was great but week two of the MasterClass really steps it up. Before I get into the second week review of David Mamet’s Masterclass, let me be clear about what I consider […]

I Went 17 Days Without Complaining And This Is What Happened

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One year ago I took the no-complaining challenge. The aim? To go 30 days in a row without complaining. The method? Wear a bracelet on your wrist and switch it every time you complain – try to keep the bracelet on the same wrist for a month. After a year of monitoring my complaints via […]

David Mamet Teaches Dramatic Writing Masterclass Review (Week 1)

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I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the announcement: David Mamet Teaches Dramatic Writing Masterclass. I’ve already taken several writing masterclasses from world class writers at the top of their game (namely Aaron Sorkin, James Patterson, and Shonda Rhimes).  But when I saw that MasterClass managed to snag David Mamet too, my jaw was […]

How Shinkai Makoto Creates A Sense Of Love And Loss

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Kimi no na wa, or the English titled “Your Name”, hit cinemas in the summer of 2016 and quickly became the 4th highest grossing film of all time in Japan – after Frozen, Titanic, and Spirited Away – and the highest grossing anime film worldwide, making a total gross of $353 million and drawing comparisons […]

Love & Strength

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Tonight the world is watching and praying as terror attacks continue to unfold in London. We know there have been attacks in three locations: London Bridge, Borough Market, and Vauxhall. A van crashed into pedestrians, men wielding knives stabbed citizens, and gunshots have been heard. Barely 2 weeks have passed since the cowardly attack on concert-goers […]