Go Into The Story

2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 1 New Script

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Page One: “Nine” (2009)

Screenplay by Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella, Broadway musical by Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston

Screenwriting Tip: Should I make a short film?

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

Screenwriting 101: Paul Schrader

“You have to try — in the structure of an hour-and-a-half movie — to arrange scenes that appear to follow each other in what seems to be a…

Page One: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989)

Written by John Hughes

Writing Tip: The Six Word Test

If you’re having trouble finding the focus of your story, try this test.

On Writing

“I feel tired of exposition and backstory; the more you can suggest without spelling out, the more you can encompass in the same space…

Page One: “Newsies” (1992)

Written by Bob Tzudiker & Noni White

3 Films That Have Impacted Everything in Your Adult Life

On a recent BritFlicks podcast, I discussed three of my favorite movies: The Apartment, Little Miss Sunshine, and Up.

Page One: “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (2009)

Written by Robert Ben Garant & Thomas Lennon, characters by Robert Ben Garant & Thomas Lennon

60 Second Screenwriter: What’s a log line?

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

Writing and the Creative Life: A Playlist to Calm the Mind

A therapist suggests some music to reduce anxiety… and spur creativity.

Page One: “Nashville” (1975)

Written by Joan Tewkesbury

Screenwriting 101: Alvin Sargent

“My confidence grows or dissolves with each day’s work. As I work and start to see ‘it’ happening and realize that I’m moving somewhere…

Writing Tip: Hero’s Journey as Psychological Journey

When we think of the Hero’s Journey, what comes to mind is a geographical adventure. The Heroine starts out in their Ordinary World…

Page One: “My Girl” (1991)

Written by Laurice Elehwany

Writing Tip: Routine or Ritual?

I am fascinated by creativity, in particular how creativity manifests itself in the wide variety of people I meet or learn about. That has…

On Writing

“I get up, take a shower, have breakfast. I read the paper, brush my teeth. If I have phone calls to make, I make them. I’ve got my coffee…

Page One: “Mrs. Winterbourne’” (1996)

Screenplay by Phoef Sutton and Lisa-Maria Radano, novel by Cornell Woolrich

Write “Yes” pages

Advice to screenwriters from a literary manager.

2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 1 New Script

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Page One: “Mr. Holland’s Opus” (1995)

Written by Patrick Sheane Duncan

Writing Tip: Don’t stand in water where you should be fishing

I use fishing as a metaphor for one’s approach to screenwriting. Seriously.

Screenwriting 101: Michael Arndt

On Tuesday, May 23, 2000, at 4:27 p.m., I sat down to write LMS [Little Miss Sunshine]. I wrote twelve pages the first day, thirty-seven…

Page One: “Mr. Brooks” (2007)

Written by Bruce A. Evans & Raynold Gideon