Go Into The Story

Know Movies

You hear this a lot in script meetings: “It’s like that scene in…”

Script Analysis: “Tár” — Part 5: Dialogue

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the award-winning drama. Download. Read. Discuss.

TV’s Streaming Model Is Broken. It’s Also Not Going Away.

For Hollywood, figuring that out will be a horror show.

Is the key to creativity “unlearning”?

What if everything we have learned in our lives has actually diminished our creativity?

Page One: “Die Hard 2” (1990)

Screenplay by Steven E. de Souza and Doug Richardson, based upon the novel “58 Minutes” by Walter Wager, certain original characters by…

What Is an “Operational Theme” and Why Don’t I Have One?

An excellent article by Javier Grillo-Marxuach whose TV writing-producing credits include Charmed, Boomtown, Lost, Medium, and Cowboy…

Script Analysis: “Tár” — Part 4: Themes

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the award-winning drama. Download. Read. Discuss.

How streaming caused the TV writers strike

A video featuring four writers talking about how the way scripted television is made nowadays has transformed the careers of writers.

The Ins and Outs of Writing Credits

“Are screen credits that important or have the writers been paid upfront and the credit system is more for show and a the resume?”

Page One: “Demolition Man” (1993)

Screenplay by Daniel Waters and Robert Reneau and Peter M. Lenkov, story by Peter M. Lenkov and Robert Reneau

Psychology and Storytelling: The Nemesis as the Protagonist’s ‘Shadow’

Ask your Protagonist: What do you fear the most? Their Shadow. Then put them in a story where they have to confront that fear: Their…

Script Analysis: “Tár” — Part 3: Characters

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the award-winning drama. Download. Read. Discuss.

TV Shows Affected By WGA Strike

The list includes Stranger Things, Cobra Kai, Yellowjackets, and Abbott Elementary.

Script To Screen: “Toy Story”

“Alright everyone, this is a stick-up! Don’t anybody move! Now empty  that safe!”

Page One: “Date Night” (2010)

Written by Josh Klausner

An Homage to Ray Bradbury

The anniversary of his death reminds us he was a writer most responsible for bringing modern science fiction into the literary mainstream.

Script Analysis: “Tár” — Part 2: Plot

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the award-winning drama. Download. Read. Discuss.

SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Strike Authorization

The vote revealed Monday was 97.91% in favor.

Screenwriting 101: John Swetnam

“Watching movies is the easy part. At a certain point, you have to start watching movies objectively. Or more strategically. Obviously all…

Page One: “Death to Smoochy” (2002)

Written by Adam Resnick

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

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the award-winning drama. Download. Read. Discuss.

Interview (Video): Phil Lord and Chris Miller

A conversation with Phil Lord and Chris Miller about the new movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Reactions: DGA-AMPTP deal.

Once again, the DGA “drafts” on the WGA strike to negotiate their deal.

On Writing

“One way to use coincidence and make it work is to have nothing turn on it. Coincidences feel illegitimate when they solve problems. If the…

Page One: “Darkman” (1990)

Screenplay by Chuck Pfarrer and Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi and Daniel Goldin & Joshua Goldin, story by Sam Raimi