Go Into The Story Resource: Interviews

Over the years, I have interviewed over 200 screenwriters, filmmakers, and industry insiders.

On May 16, 2023, Go Into The Story turns fifteen years old — you can read the very first blog post here. I led with this paragraph:

Welcome to Go Into The Story! Right now, it’s nothing but a humble, threadbare blog, but I hope it will evolve into an active resource for aspiring screenwriters, as well as a community for anyone interested in storytelling and the creative life.

And evolve it did! To the point where it has been named “Best of the Best” Scriptwriting Website in the 20th Annual Writer’s Digest Best Websites for Writers list.

To celebrate 15 years of blogging about screenwriting, writing, Hollywood, movies, TV, and the creative life, each day in May, I’m going to feature a piece of Go Into The Story trivia, plus a writing resource you can find in the site’s archives. This is not an exercise in self-congratulations so much as I figured readers could use some tips about how to best use the site. With — to date — over 100 archive topics, there is a LOT of content here. Hopefully, these posts for the next 31 days will clue in more recent followers and remind long-time readers about resources you can use to facilitate deepening your understanding of the writing craft.

Today’s trivia: The blog’s twitter feed (@GoIntoTheStory) has over 84,000 followers including many of today’s top screenwriters and filmmakers such as Nicole Perlman, Stephany Folsom, Scott Derrickson, Lisa Joy, Julia Hart, Ava DuVernay, Scott Neustadter, Nia Vardalos, Brian Duffield, Liz Hannah, Eric Heisserer, Kelly Marcel, Jon Spaihts, Robin Swicord, Steven E. de Souza, Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, David Rabinowitz, Charlie Wachtel, Phil Hay, Phil Lord, Kristen “Kiwi” Smith, Phyllis Nagy, and many more.

Today’s Go Into The Story resource: Interviews.

Over the years, one thing I’ve noticed about screenwriter interviews is the interviewer almost always shows little interest in the writer’s approach to story and creative process. That led me to conducting regular in-depth 60–75 minute interviews in which we dig deep into the writer’s creative process.

Here are links to all of my Go Into The Story interviews:

FILMMAKERS (Screenwriters, Writer-Directors, Directors)

2011 Screenwriters Roundtable: Chris Borrelli, F. Scott Frazier, Jeremiah Friedman, Nick Palmer, Justin Rhodes, Greg Russo, John Swetnam.

2012 Screenwriters Roundtable: Chris Borrelli, F. Scott Frazier, Chris McCoy, Justin Rhodes, Greg Russo, John Swetnam.

2013 Screenwriters Roundtable: Chris Borrelli, F. Scott Frazier, Chris McCoy, Justin Rhodes, Greg Russo, John Swetnam.

2014 Screenwriters Roundtable: Chris Borrelli, Brian Duffield, F. Scott Frazier, Chris McCoy, Justin Rhodes, and Greg Russo.

2015 Screenwriters Roundtable: Jessica Bendinger, Lindsay Devlin, Stephany Folsom, Liz W. Garcia, Julia Hart, and Lisa Joy.

The Critics: Q&A with a group of young filmmakers in Nigeria who have drawn the attention of Ava DuVernay, Franklin Leonard, and J.J. Abrams.

Thomas Aguilar and Michael Ballin: 2021 Black List writers for their Kanye West biopic script “The College Dropout”.

Jen Bailey and Max Lance: 2017 Nicholl Fellowship winners for their script “The Queen of Sleaze”.

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods: Co-writers and producers of the hit horror movie A Quiet Place.

Callie Bloem and Christopher Ewing: 2022 Nicholl Fellowship winners for their script “Tape 22”.

Alisha Brophy and Scott Miles: 2014 Nicholl Fellowship winners for their script “The United States of Fuckin’ Awesome”.

Alisha Brophy and Scott Miles: A Q&A with the writing duo about how to sustain a successful writers group.

Brandon Broussard, Hudson Obayuwana, and Jana Savage (Murder Ink): Co-writers of the 2021 Black List script “Homecoming.”

Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann: Co-writers and co-directors of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival entry Sister Aimee.

Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter: 2018 Nicholl Fellowship winner for their script “American Refugee”.

Leigh Cesiro and Erica Matlin: Wrote the 2021 Black List script Cruel Summer.

TJ Cimfel and David White: Wrote horror thriller movie Shut In.

Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg: Sold 3 spec scripts in 2 years, The Driver, High Target Value, Pantheon.

Felipe Coutinho and Ben Mehlman: Wrote the 2021 Black List script Whittier.

Frank DeJohn and David Hedges: 2013 Nicholl Fellowship winner for their script “Legion”.

Jeremiah Friedman and Nick Palmer: Writing duo who sold the spec script Family Getaway and sold the pitch to the remake The Bodyguard.

Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio: Husband and wife writing team on several Lifetime movies and the rom-com novel The Summer of Christmas.

Julia Hart and Jordan Horowitz: They co-wrote the wonderful indie dramedy Miss Stevens, Julia directing, Jordan producing. Jordan also produced La La Land.

Spencer Harvey and Lloyd Harvey: Brother-sister filmmaking duo who won 2016 Nicholl Fellowship for their screenplay “Photo Booth”.

Bill Holderman and Erin Simms: Director, co-writers, producer of the movie Book Club.

Anna Hozian and Brad Riddell: Co-writers and co-directors of the comedy web series ‘Other People’s Children’.

Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman: Wrote the movie Draft Day (2012 Black List).

Amy Koppelman and Paige Dylan: Adapted Koppelman’s novel for the movie I Smile Back.

Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna: Movie credits include Brave, Ratatouille, The Good Dinosaur, and Inside Out, host The Screenwriting Life podcast.

Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay: Wrote Aeon Flux, R.I.P.D., Ride Along and the indie film The Invitation.

Rob Meyer and Luke Matheny: Co-writers and director of the indie film A Birder’s Guide to Everything.

Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber: (500) Days of Summer screenwriters, Black List 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012.

Kelly O’Sullivan, Alex Thompson, and James Choi: Writer-actor, director, and producer of the lauded indie film Saint Frances.

David Rabinowitz and Charlie Wachtel: Co-writers of BlacKkKlansman.

Brad Riddell and Sandy Sternshein: Co-writers/co-directors of the indie comedy Later Days.

Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith & Kurt Lustgarten: Co-writers of the comic book series Misfit City.

Jim Stansberry and Annika Tuneld: Writing duo from the U.S. and Sweden who wrote and sold spec script Wildflowers.

James Acker: 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient for his screenplay “Sadboi.”

Isaac Adamson: Wrote 2015 Black List top-rated screenplay “Bubbles”.

Arash Amel: Writer, Grace of Monaco, writing “Seducing Ingrid Bergman” and “The Infinity Principle”.

Brian Andrews: Creator of cutting edge VR movie Hominidae.

Jennifer Archer: Won 2022 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “Into the Deep Blue”

Michael Arndt: Writer, Little Miss Sunshine, Toy Story 3.

Brian Arnold: 2021 Black List for the script “In the End”.

Meghann Artes: Writer-director of the award-winning live-action / stop-motion short film Oh, Baby!

Amma Asante: Director, Belle.

Michele Atkins: Won 2016 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “Talking About the Sky”.

Minhal Baig: Writer, 2016 script “Hala”.

Luke Barnett: Actor, writer, producer on the movie project Faith Based.

Sam Baron: Won 2014 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “The Science of Love and Laughter”.

Haley Bartels: Won 2021 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “Pumping Black”.

Nikole Beckwith: 2012 Black List, 2012 Nicholl winner for her script “Stockholm, Pennsylvania”.

Jessica Bendinger: Screenwriter and ‘Mother’ of the fan favorite 2000 movie Bring It On.

Tom Benedek: Screenwriter who has worked in Hollywood since early 80s and wrote the hit movie Cocoon.

Roberto Bentivegna: 2012 Black List for his screenplay “The Eel”.

Amy Berg: TV writer, producer, showrunner, ‘Counterpart’, ‘Person of Interest’, ‘Caper’, ‘Da Vinci’s Demons’.

Carter Blanchard: 2012 Black List for his screenplay “Glimmer”.

Chris Borrelli: 2009 Black List, sold three spec scripts, “The Vatican Tapes”, “Wake”, and “Sad Jack”.

Craig Borten: Nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay Dallas Buyers Club.

Jon Boyer: 2013 Black List for his screenplay “Free Byrd”.

Sam Boyer: Won 2021 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “OJEK”.

Elijah Bynum: 2013 Black List for his screenplays “Mississippi Mud” and “Hot Summer Nights”.

Joshua Caldwell: Writer-director of the indie crime thriller movie Infamous.

Reid Carolin: Writer-Producer, Magic Mike.

Damien Chazelle: Writer-director, Whiplash.

Stan Chervin: Academy Award nominated screenwriter, Moneyball.

Vigil Chime: 2017 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “Bring Back Girl”.

Elizabeth Chomko: 2015 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “What They Had”.

Tze Chun: Writer-director, Children of Invention, Cold Comes the Night.

Joey Clarke Jr.: 2018 Nicholl Fellowship for his script “Miles.”

Dana Coen: TV writer-producer, “JAG,” “Bones”, playwright, screenwriter.

Laura Colella: Writer-director, Breakfast with Curtis.

Karin delaPeña Collison: 2021 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “Coming of Age”.

Destin Daniel Cretton: Screenwriter-director of critically acclaimed independent movies I Am Not a Hipster and Short Term 12.

Sean Robert Daniels: 2012 Nicholl Fellowship winner for his screenplay “Killers”.

Pen Densham: Screenwriter whose movie credits include Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Moll Flanders.

Bob DeRosa: Screenwriter whose movie credits include Killers and The Air I Breathe, and fictional podcasts Video Palace and Catchers.

Scott Derrickson: Co-writer and director of the hit Marvel movie Doctor Strange as well as horror movies The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister.

Lindsay Devlin: Screenwriter of the movie Devil’s Due.

James DiLapo: 2012 Black List, 2012 Nicholl winner for his script “Devils at Play”.

Neil Drumming: Screenwriter-director of the movie Big Words.

Brian Duffield: Wrote 2 Black List scripts, “Your Bridesmaid is a Bitch” and “Jane Got a Gun”.

Allan Durand: 2012 Nicholl Fellowship winner for his screenplay “Willie Francis Must Die Again”.

Ava DuVernay: Screenwriter-Director, I Will Follow, Middle of Nowhere.

Jay Eden: Sold spec script “Incinerator” to the Boies Schiller Film Group.

Jessica Ellis: Writer-director, What Lies West

Jack Epps: Wrote iconic 80s and 90s movies including Top Gun, The Secret of My Success, Turner & Hooch, Legal Eagles, and Dick Tracy.

Mickey Fisher: Wrote spec TV pilot and TV series ‘Extant’.

Miguel Flatow: 2022 Black List for the script “Viva Mexico!”

Stephany Folsom: 2013 Black List for her screenplay “1969: A Space Odyssey or: How Kubrick Learned to Stop Worrying and Land on the Moon”.

F. Scott Frazier: Wrote and sold 4 spec scripts in 2 years including The Numbers Station, “Autobahn”, and “Line of Sight” [2011 Black List].

Andrew Friedhof: Won 2015 Nicholl Fellowship for the screenplay “Great Falls”.

Liz W. Garcia: TV writer-producer (Dawson’s Creek, Wonderfalls, Cold Case) and writer-director (The Lifeguard).

John Gary: Writing projects for Lionsgate and Paramount.

Kryzz Gautier: 2021 Black List for the script “Wheels Come Off”.

Josh Golden: Won 2014 Nicholl Fellowship for his screenplay “Road to Oz”.

Kristen Gray-Rockmaker: Won 2017 Nicholl Fellowship for her screenplay “Last Days of Winter”.

Anthony Grieco: Won 2015 Nicholl Fellowship for the screenplay “Best Sellers”.

Javier Grillo-Marxuach: TV writer and producer whose credits include Lost, Medium, Helix, The 100, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

David Guggenheim: Wrote and sold 3 spec scripts in 2 years, Safe House [2010 Black List], Narco Sub, and Black Box [2012 Black List].

Aaron Guzikowski: Wrote Contraband, Prisoners and the TV series The Red Road.

Byron Hamel: Wrote 2021 Nicholl Fellowship script “Shade of the Grapefruit Tree”.

Daniel Hanna: Wrote the 2021 Nicholl Fellowship script “Shelter Animal”.

Liz Hannah: 2016 Black List for her screenplay The Post, directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.

Julia Hart: 2012 Black List for her screenplay The Keeping Room, wrote and directed Miss Stevens.

Sean Hartofilis: Writer-director of the indie comedy Beach Pillows.

Spencer and Lloyd Harvey: Wrote 2016 Nicholl Fellowship script “Photo Booth”.

Eric Heisserer: 2012 Black List for his screenplay Story Of Your Life, writer-director, Hours, writer, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Final Destination 5, and The Thing, and 2016 movie Arrival.

Jason Mark Hellerman: 2013 Black List for his screenplay “Shovel Buddies”.

Jim Hemphill: Writer-Director, The Trouble With the Truth.

Brad Ingelsby: 2008, 2012 Black List for his screenplays “The Low Dweller”, “Hold On To Me”, and “Run All Night”.

Sarah Jane Inwards: 2017 Black List and won 2017 Nicholl Fellowship for her script “Jellyfish Summer”.

Melissa Iqbal: Won 2014 Nicholl Fellowship for “The Death Engine”.

Ben Jacoby: Writing “The First Omen” and “Borderland”.

Vanar Jaddou: 2020 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “Goodbye, Iraq”.

Elgin James: Wrote and directed the indie drama Little Birds.

Stefan Jaworski: 2021 Black List for his screenplay “Mercury.”

Chris Jones: Driving force behind the “crowd-created” feature film The Impact which features 50 screenwriters and 36 directors.

Patty Jones: Won 2013 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “Joe Banks”.

Lisa Joy: Wrote spec script Reminiscence [2013 Black List], co-wrote HBO pilot “Westworld”.

Jessica Kaye: Writer-Director-Actor in the indie film Inheritance (2017).

Joe Kelly: Author and screenwriter of the movie I Kill Giants.

Kyle Killen: Wrote The Beaver [2008 Black List] and created the TV series “Lone Star” and “Awake”.

Jess King: Indie filmmaker, educator, and author of the new book Inclusive Screenwriting for Film and Television.

Eric Koenig: Wrote and sold spec script “Matriarch”.

Laura Kosann: 2021 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient for her screenplay “An Ideal Woman,” 2021 Black List for that script and “From Little Acorns Grow.”

Justin Kremer: 2012 Black List for his screenplay “McCarthy”.

Michael Kujak: 2021 Black List for the screenplay “Follow”.

Daniel Kunka: 2014 Black List for “Yellowstone Falls”, 2015 Black List for “Battle of New Orleans”, wrote and sold 2 spec scripts, “Agent Ox” and “Bermuda Triangle”.

Daniel Kunka: 2021 Black List for the screenplay “Lift.”

Geoff LaTulippe: Wrote 2008 Black List script and movie Going the Distance.

Jeffrey Lieber: Screenwriter (Tangled, Tuck Everlasting) and TV writer-producer (Miami Medical, The Whole Truth, Pan Am, Necessary Roughness, Lost).

Erik Linthorst: Screenwriter, Come As You Are.

Seth Lochhead: Wrote the movie Hanna (2006 Black List script).

Sophia Lopez: Wrote A Hufflepuff Love Story (2021 Black List script).

Geeta Malik: Won 2016 Nicholl Fellowship for her script “Dinner With Friends”.

Kelly Marcel: Wrote the movie Saving Mr. Banks (2011 Black List script).

Donald Marguilies: Wrote the adaptation for the movie The End of the Tour.

Justin Marks: Written over 20 movie projects including The Jungle Book and the sequel to Top Gun.

Kate Marks: 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient for her original screenplay “The Cow of Queens.”

Michael C. Martin: Wrote and sold spec script Brooklyn’s Finest which became a movie starring Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, and Wesley Snipes.

Marc Maurino: Wrote and sold spec script “Inside the Machine”.

Jeff Maysh: Author of long-form narrative non-fiction articles of which nearly 20 have been optioned or sold for their movie rights.

Craig Mazin: Wrote numerous movies including RocketMan (1997), Scary Movie 3 (2003), Scary Movie 4 (2006), Superhero Movie (2008), The Hangover Part II (2011), Identity Thief (2013) and The Hangover Part III (2013).

Chris McCoy: Wrote 3 Black List scripts, “Get Back”, “Good Looking”, and “Good Kids”.

Adrian McKinty: Author of the best-selling crime thriller novel “The Chain” which movie rights sold for seven-figures.

Denise Meyers: Wrote the film “The Dark of Night” which premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

Debbie Moon: Created the U.K. TV series “Wolfblood”.

James Morosini: Co-wrote, directed, acted, and produced the movie Threesomething.

Jeff Morris: Wrote the movie True Memoirs of an International Assassin.

Tess Morris: Wrote the spec script and movie Man Up.

Terrance Mulloy: Australia based writer who sold spec script “Priority Run”.

T.J. Newman: Author of the debut novel Falling which sold in a seven-figure two-book deal to Simon and Schuster.

Declan O’Dwyer: U.K. based writer-director who sold spec “Broken Cove”.

Anton Outkine: Russia-based screenwriter, director, and producer of award-winning web series It’s Complicated and VR science fiction film Kessler Effect.

Elizabeth Oyebode: 2016 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner for her script “Tween the Ropes”.

Chris Parrish: Writer-director of the adventure family film Thrill Ride.

Michael R. Perry: Wrote the 2009 Black List script and movie The Voices.

Asta Philpot: The inspiration for the comedy road movie Come As You Are.

Justin Piasecki: Won 2016 Nicholl Fellowship for his script “Death of an Ortolan”.

James Ponsoldt: Co-writer and director of mystery drama Summering.

Ashleigh Powell: Wrote and sold 2012 Black List script “Somacell”.

Sam Regnier: Won 2015 Nicholl Fellowship for the screenplay “Free Agent”.

Justin Rhodes: Wrote and sold 2 spec scripts, “Second Sun” and “The Join”.

Brad Riddell: Screenwriter (American Pie Presents Band Camp, Crooked Arrow), film professor (School of Cinema Arts at DePaul University).

Chris Roessner: Wrote 2012 Black List script “Sand Castle”.

Greg Roque: Wrote the 2022 Black List script “Jerry!”.

Grant Rosenmeyer: Actor-producer, Come As You Are

Alan Roth: Won 2013 Nicholl Fellowship for his script “Jersey City Story”.

Greg Russo: Wrote and sold 2 spec scripts, “Down” and “Autobahn”.

Misan Sagay: Wrote the movie Belle.

Stephanie Shannon: 2013 Nicholl Fellowship winner, 2013 Black List for her screenplay “Queen of Hearts”.

Grace Sherman: 2018 Nicholl Fellowship winner for her screenplay “Numbers and Words”.

Ian Shorr: 2022 Black List for his script “The House in the Crooked Forest” and scripts which made the Black List in 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2019.

Will Simmons: Wrote and sold 2012 Black List spec script “Murder City”, two other projects set up “Romeo” and “Defenders”.

Jon Spaihts: Wrote Prometheus, Doctor Strange, and Passengers as well as upcoming The Mummy and Van Helsing.

Chris Sparling: Wrote and sold 2 spec scripts, both of which were produced, Buried and ATM.

Barbara Stepansky: 2013 Black List, 2013 Nicholl Fellowship winner for her screenplay “Sugar in My Veins”.

Daniel Stiepleman: 2014 Black List script for the movie On the Basis of Sex.

Jonathan Stokes: Wrote five scripts which have made the Black List: Blood Mountain (2011), Murders & Acquisitions (2011), Border Country (2012), Tchaikovsky’s Requiem (2013), Murder in the White House (2020)

John Swetnam: Wrote and sold 3 spec scripts, Evidence, Category 6, and Spinback.

Robin Swicord: Writing credits include Little Women and Matilda, writing-directing credits include The Jane Austen Book Club and Wakefield.

Lori Evans Taylor: Wrote and sold spec script “Bed Rest”.

Amy Tofte: Won 2015 Nicholl Fellowship for the screenplay “Addis Abeka”.

Tara Tomicevic: 2021 Black List script “Thicker Than Ice”.

Aaron Tracy: Wrote and sold spec script “Article III”.

Lexie Tran: 2022 Black List script “It’s a Wonderful Story”.

Linh Tran: Writer-director of the award-winning short film Dinner.

Daniel Turkewitz: Wrote and sold spec script “Tranquility Base”.

Kieran Turner: 2022 Black List for his screenplay “Black Dogs”.

David Turpin: Screenwriter of 2017 horror film The Lodgers.

Cesar Vitale: 2017 Black List and won 2017 Nicholl Fellowship for his script “The Great Nothing”.

Gillian Weeks: 2022 Black List for her script “OH THE HUMANITY”.

Michael Werwie: 2012 Nicholl Fellowship winner, 2012 Black List for his screenplay “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile”.

Sallie West: Won 2014 Nicholl Fellowship for the script “Moonflower”.

Gary Whitta: 2007 Black List writer, Book of Eli, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Wenonah Wilms: 2018 Nicholl Fellowship winner for her screenplay “Horsehead Girls.”

Don Winslow: Author of “Savages” and “The Cartel”.

Rich Wong: Director of Come As You Are.

Chris Wu: 2021 Black List writer, Mr. Benihana.

INDUSTRY

Anonymous: Marketing executive at one of Hollywood major studios

David Boxerbaum: An extended conversation with one of Hollywood’s top literary agents, the state of the spec market, much more

Chicks Who Script: Weekly podcast from a female-centric perspective with hosts Emily Blake, Maggie F. Levin, and Lauren Schacher

Mary Coleman: Head of Pixar’s story department.

Emile Gladstone: Former ICM agent, producer, Army of One.

Marc Hofstatter: Head of film at IndieGoGo.

Ted Hope: Noted movie producer and CEO of Fandor.

Darnell Hunt: Director of Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, lead author of annual Hollywood Diversity Report.

Adam Kolbrenner: Manager-producer, Madhouse Entertainment.

Mynette Louie: Independent film producer (Children of Invention, California Solo, Cold Comes the Night).

D.C. Mar: Long-time script reader and story analyst.

Jeff Portnoy: Manager, Bellevue Productions.

Rachael Prior: Head of Film at U.K.-based Big Talk Pictures.

Tasia Valenza: Actor (All My Children, The Bold and Beautiful, The Heights) and voice-over artist (The Clone Wars).

Resource Tip: Apart from watching movies and reading scripts, listening to interviews with notable screenwriters, TV writers, and/or field trip is one of the very best ways for a writer to elevate their understanding of the craft. That is, if the interviewer asks some relevant questions.

I ask relevant questions.

Check out my interviews. They are chock full of information, insight, and inspiration.