Go Into The Story

Once again, we find the five primary character archetypes at work in a movie.

Protagonist: Williams. Even though the narrative is framed through the POV of Peter, Williams’ storyline drives the plot. His character is…

As noted, the plot is simple.

In short order, however, we are introduced to Williams, the head of the Department where Peter is newly employed. He is a distant figure…

Monday this week, when I flew back to Chicago from Los Angeles where I’d been overseeing the…

If you had told me a decade ago, I would watch a movie on my phone … and enjoy it … I would have shooed you away.

Go Into The Story Resource: Screenwriting Advice From The Past

A series analyzing screenwriting advice from the book “How to Write Photoplays” written in 1920 by Anita Loos and her husband John Emerson.

Script Analysis: “Living” — Part 5: Dialogue

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

MCU In Trouble — WGA Writer’s Strike EXPLAINED

A half-hour ScreenCrush video goes in depth about the strike

Writing sprint? How about a writing walk!

Or as we do in the zero draft writing community — a writing scamper.

Page One: “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” (2002)

Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman, book by Chuck Barris

Go Into The Story Resource: Great Scenes

When you boil it down, screenwriting is scene-writing. Hone your scene-writing ability by studying these scenes.

Script Analysis: “Living” — Part 4: Themes

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

Inside the writers’ ‘guerrilla tactics’ to shut down live productions

“On a frigid early morning in Chicago last week, screenwriter Michael Gilio bundled into a car in the city’s West Side with other writers…

“Everyone is here because of us”

It is late spring 1988. I am in San Diego where K-9 is being shot. It’s my first day on a movie set. Ever. The scene the crew is shooting…

Page One: “Conan the Barbarian” (1982)

Written by John Milius and Oliver Stone, based on the character created by Robert E. Howard

Go Into The Story Resource: Screenwriting 101

Hundreds of observations about the craft of screenwriting from professional writers.

Script Analysis: “Living” — Part 3: Characters

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

30 Rock Protest Draws Big Names & Huge Crowds In NYC

Dispatches from the picket lines, Day 22

Screenwriting 101: Sophia Lopez

“A lot of people are like, ‘I don’t want to be too conventional. I want to do something really mind‑blowing.’ But it’s like, ‘If you don’t…

Page One: “The Color Purple” (1985)

Screenplay by Menno Meyjes, novel by Alice Walker

Go Into The Story Resource: An Argument Against Screenplay Formulas

“We end up with a ceaseless cesspool of formulaic crap carving its way into and ultimately out of Hollywood movie and TV development…

Script Analysis: “Living” — Part 2: Plot

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

David Zaslav Gets Booed at Boston University Graduation Amid the Writers Strike

The head of Warner Bros. Discovery took the stage in Boston for the commencement speech for the class of 2023.

The Protagonist’s Journey in Athens

A five-day screenwriting intensive university level course I will be teaching June 26-June 30, 2023.

Page One: “The Handmaid’s Tale”

Written by Bruce Miller, based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, Pilot (11/26/2016)

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

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

Go Into The Story Resource: Black List Writers on the Craft

Some of Hollywood’s top screenwriters share insights from my interviews.