Go Into The Story

Script To Screen: “Leaving Las Vegas”

The 1995 movie Leaving Las Vegas, screenplay by Mike Figgis, based on a novel by John O’Brien] features two key characters: Ben Sanderson…

Page One: “Mission: Impossible II” (2000)

Screenplay by Robert Towne, story by Ronald D. Moore & Brannon Braga, based on the TV series created by Bruce Geller

Make Words Your Friend

“Putting one right word after another” — that is so right. When you bust it all down, writing is about choosing words. A writer can choose…

Negative Fear, Positive Fear

“Fear of writing, understandable, but a negative influence. However, fear of NOT writing and what that prospect could mean, that can be a…

Page One: “Mission: Impossible” (1996)

Screenplay by David Koepp and Robert Towne, story by David Koepp and Steven Zaillian, based on the TV series created by Bruce Geller

Update: 2023 Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference

I’m moderating three panels, participating in a roundtable, leading a post-screening Q&A at the world premiere of the documentary The Stars…

Writing Tip: The Spirit of the Spec

The creative empowerment of writing a spec script.

Page One: “Mirrors” (2008)

Screenplay by Alexandre Aja & Grégory Levasseur, based on the Korean movie “Into the Mirror” by Sung-ho Kim

Writing a Story = Wrangling Magic

The very fact writers create something seemingly out of nothing is a special kind of magic.

Writing Tip: The Importance of Character Names

A well-chosen character name can reflect their personality.

Page One: “The Mirror Has Two Faces” (1996)

Screenplay by Richard LaGravenese, screen story by Richard LaGravenese, based on “Le Miroir a Deux Faces” by André Cayatte and Gérard Oury

Screenwriting Tip: Advice from a Professional Script Reader

“An experienced pro reader always knows a ‘bad’ script within the first 10 pages, usually within the first 3, and often on the first page.”

Hollywood Tales

Screenwriter Wendall Mayes on how he was hired to write a script with the legendary Billy Wilder.

Page One: “Maverick” (1994)

Written by William Goldman, based on the TV series created by Roy Huggins

Scene-Writing Workshop

I’m reprising my one-week Scene-Writing Workshop which starts next Monday, October 30th.

On Writing

“A nap clears the head wonderfully, besides giving fresh energy. I realize that about half the people of the world cannot nap without…

Page One: “Mars Attacks!” (1996)

Screenplay by Jonathan Gems, screen story by Jonathan Gems, trading card series by Len Brown & Woody Gelman & Wally Wood & Bob Powell &…

Do you know your stuff?

It’s one thing to write a script. It’s another thing to understand the craft.

Script To Screen: “Lethal Weapon”

The jumper scene from the 1987 movie Lethal Weapon, written by Shane Black.

Page One: “Mid90s” (2018)

Written by Jonah Hill

Deadline’s Strike Talk Podcast

Episode 25: Billy Ray in conversation with political strategist Steve Schmidt.

Screenwriter Eric Roth on ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’…

…and a life of big scripts.

Page One: “The Meyerowitz Stories” (2017)

Written by Noah Baumbach

Do all Protagonists need a character arc?

A character’s ‘arc’ is a big buzzword in Hollywood development circles.

Script To Screen: “The Limey”

A pivotal scene from the 1999 crime drama The Limey, written by Lem Dobbs.