Go Into The Story

2023 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 22

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Create a Compelling Protagonist

Workshop and develop your story’s Protagonist in my one-week online class which begins Monday, October 2nd.

Script To Screen: “Magnolia”

From the 1999 movie Magnolia written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, a multilinear story involving multiple characters.

Page One: “The Invisible Woman” (2013)

Written by Abi Morgan, book by Claire Tomalin

With free screenwriting workshops, striking Hollywood writers look to raise spirits and funds

This L.A. Times articles spotlights a wonderful initiative by screenwriter Ed Solomon in partnership with the Black List.

2023 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 21

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Why Does Point of View Matter?

Another in the terrific screenwriting series Raising the Stakes.

How to Respond When Taking Script Notes

“It doesn’t matter whether you love the suggestion, hate it, or don’t know. Always give this same response.”

Page One: “Intolerance” (1916)

Scenario by D.W. Griffith, titles by Anita Loos

Thanks to Drew Barrymore, striking writers are in their most powerful position yet

“Far from languishing after four-plus months on strike as the AMPTP hoped, writers appear even more united, resolved and, with the aid of…

2023 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 20

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Writing Tip: Enter Late, Exit Early

“You always attack a movie scene as late as you possibly can. You always come into the scene at the last possible moment.”

Writing Tip: “Earn this.”

When it comes to a scene where a character makes a critical choice, it’s imperative that you — as the writer — have earned that moment.

Page One: “The Intern” (2015)

Written by Nancy Meyers

WGA Showrunners’ Strike Fund Donations Near $500K

“Cutting to t|he heart of the sentiment out on the picket lines, Wachowski added, ‘Let’s beat these f-ing mf-ers!’”

2023 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 19

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

My “Scriptcake” interview

A 75-minute conversation with podcast host Lovinder Gill.

Screenwriting 101: Lawrence Kasdan

“Anything I say about this now is influence by the changes in my process over the years. Looking again at some of my favorite films, and…

Page One: “Inside Man” (2006)

Written by Russell Gewirtz

Why the war over streaming data is at the heart of Hollywood’s strikes

“When the companies act like, ‘Oh, no, we could never possibly disclose this,’ that’s just disingenuous.”

2023 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 18

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

10 Screenwriting Lessons from “The Apartment”

A video analyzing Billy Wilder’s classic 1960 Oscar-winning movie.

On Writing

“I think the best endings bring you back in, rather than close things off with absolute finality. I’m not saying they necessarily have to…

Page One: “Innerspace” (1987)

Screenplay by Jeffrey Boam and Chip Proser, story by Chip Proser

Deadline’s Strike Talk Podcast

Episode 20: Billy Ray in conversation with a vet TV exec and entertainment columnist about the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.