Go Into The Story

Script Analysis: “Glass Onion” — Part 3: Characters

A week-long analysis of the Oscar-nominated screenplay. Download. Read. Discuss.

Why Creative People May Feel More Anxiety

“Why won’t the words come? And what if they’re the wrong words? Know what? I hate words!”

Page One: “Philadelphia” (1993)

Written by Ron Nyswaner

Hollywood Therapists See Mental Health Effects of Dual Strikes

Depression, anxiety and feelings of “powerlessness” and “loss of identity” are taking hold during the entertainment industry’s ongoing work…

Writing Tip: From Zero Draft… to Hero Draft

“There are no mistakes. There are CHOICES. We have a scene. Or a character. Or a dialogue exchange. Whatever we’re writing, it represents…

Script Analysis: “Glass Onion” — Part 2: Plot

A week-long analysis of the Oscar-nominated screenplay. Download. Read. Discuss.

Screenwriting 101: John Michael Hayes

“I like to write dialogue. It’s one of my skills, character and dialogue. Hitchcock, of course, grew up in silent films, and all those…

Page One: “House of Gucci” (2021)

Screenplay by Becky Johnstonand Roberto Bentivegna, story by Becky Johnston, based on the book “The House of Gucci” by Sara Gay Forden

Deadline’s Strike Talk Podcast

Episode 16: Billy Ray in conversation with long-time producers Gale Anne Hurd and Glen Basner.

Pound Out That First Draft!

Go from FADE IN to FADE OUT in my upcoming online writing workshop. Starts August 28!

Script Analysis: “Glass Onion” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

A week-long analysis of the Oscar-nominated screenplay. Download. Read. Discuss.

On Writing

“Writing a book, I quickly found out, was a crash course in anxiety. Years of being locked in a room with nothing but my thoughts, my…

Page One: “Hot Fuzz” (2007)

Written by Edgar Wright & Simon Pegg

Bob Iger, Ted Sarandos, and David Zaslav’s Bad-PR Summer

With Hollywood’s writers and actors on strike, studio bosses were obvious candidates to be cast as the villains. Some believe they played…

Go Into The Story Interview: Kristen Tepper

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for her script Better Luck Next Time.

Writing Tip: There is no right way to write

Learn all you can, but ultimately it’s about your Stories and your Creative Self.

Interview: Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer

A conversation with the screenwriters of the movie Blue Beetle.

Page One: “Hook” (1991)

Screenplay by James V. Hart and Malia Scotch Marmo, screen story by James V. Hart & Nick Castle, books and play by J.M. Barrie

A Majority of Voters Support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes

Poll respondents overwhelmingly agree with key demands.

Interview (Part 6): Kristen Tepper

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for her script Better Luck Next Time.

Script To Screen: “Philadelphia”

The 1993 movie Philadelphia was written by Ron Nyswaner and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

Video: How to Make a Great Sitcom

A conversation with the showrunners of Abbot Elementary.

Page One: “Honey Boy” (2019)

Written by Shia LaBeouf

Disney, Amazon, and Netflix Are the ‘New Gatekeepers’ of Media

On the 108th day of the current strike, the WGA goes public with a report on systemic issues with the film and television business.

Interview (Part 5): Kristen Tepper

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for her script Better Luck Next Time.