Go Into The Story

Page One: “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)

Written by James Gunn, based on the Marvel comics by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning

The plotline of Women Talking is an example of three-act structure which can be broken down into…

Act One: Upon discovering the men have been using horse tranquilizer to make women unconscious in order to them, some of the assailants are…

Death Spiral of Hollywood Monopolies

“Without regulation of these monopolies, Hollywood will succumb to a death spiral, planting a stake in the heart of the entertainment…

Script Analysis: “Women Talking” — Part 2: Plot

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

“In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail”

When legendary football coach Vince Lombardi would speak in public, he rarely strayed far from two closely related subjects: success and…

How much dialogue versus description in a screenplay?

Is there some sort of key to finding a balance in a script?

Page One: “The Green Knight” (2021)

Written for the screen by David Lowery, based on the poem by The Gawain Poet

I had the honor and pleasure to host a Q&A with Sarah Polley after a screening of Women Talking…

What I found remarkable about the script is how it takes what essentially is a stage play setting, a barn loft, and a group of women who…

Deadline’s Strike Talk Podcast

Episode 14: Billy Ray talks with Craig Mazin, Lilly Wachowski & Jason Blum On Hollywood’s post-strike path forward

Script Analysis: “Women Talking” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

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

The Metamorphosis of Darth Vader

A video by The Italian Screenwriter explores my theory about how Darth Vader’s narrative function shifts from Star Wars: Episodes IV, V…

On Writing

“You have to live with the notion of, ‘If I don’t write this, no one’s going to write it. If I die, this idea dies with me.’”

Page One: “The Grudge” (2004)

Screenplay by Stephen Susco, based on a film by Takashi Shimizu

WGA and studio reps meet, but no signs of strike ending

Proof that any meeting in Sherman Oaks at 4PM on a Friday after slogging up the 405 is DOA from the outset.

Go Into The Story Interview: Max Taxe

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Ripple.

Script To Screen: “Pretty Woman”

Perhaps no movie demonstrates the power of ‘Disneyfication’ than the 1990 movie Pretty Woman, written by J.F. Lawton. Here is what the…

Interview: Babak Jalali

A conversation with the co-writer and director of Fremont, a fan and critic favorite at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

Page One: “The Green Mile” (1999)

Screenplay by Frank Darabont, novel by Stephen King

“If we tear this thing down to the studs…”

Steven Soderbergh weighs in on the streamers’ lack of transparency when it comes to the performance of their movies and TV series.

Interview (Part 6): Max Taxe

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Ripple.

Page One: “Greenberg” (2010)

Screenplay by Noah Baumbach, story by Jennifer Jason Leigh & Noah Baumbach

Poll: More Americans support striking actors and writers than studios

Just 7% sympathize more with the entertainment and media corporations represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television…

2023 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge!

One month. Fade In. Fade Out. Write an entire zero draft.

Interview (Part 5): Max Taxe

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Ripple.

How to approach writing a villain Protagonist?

Three keys to crafting a Bad Guy who is your story’s Protagonist.