Go Into The Story

Interview (Part 2): David L. Williams

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

“What is the simple emotional journey?”

Reflections on one of my favorite writing quotes.

Screenwriting 101: Jason Mark Hellerman

“Nothing is better than having a first draft. Not the best idea you’ve ever had, not writing the first scene, not writing a piece of…

Page One: “Breaking Bad” (5/27/2005 — pilot)

Written by Vince Gilligan

Go Into The Story Resource: Annual Spec Script Market Reports

Detailed information and statistics on every verified spec script deal from 2008–2021, and analysis of the spec script market and business…

Interview (Part 1): David L. Williams

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

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month (2023)

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

On Writing

“When you consider that there are a thousand ways to express even the simplest idea, it is no wonder writers are under a great strain…

Page One: “Cold Mountain” (2003)

Screenplay by Anthony Minghella, novel by Charles Frazier

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 30

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Go Into The Story Interview: Gillian Weeks

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for her script OH THE HUMANITY.

Script To Screen: “Wall-E”

One of the best scenes from the 2008 movie Wall-E, screenplay by Andrew Stanton and Jim Reardon, original story by Andrew Stanton and Pete…

Interviews: ‘Flashdance’ Screenwriters

Conversations with Thomas Hedley Jr. and Joe Eszterhas on the 40th anniversary of a movie which became a cultural phenomenon.

Page One: “The Cocoanuts” (1929)

Book by George S. Kaufman, adapted by Morrie Ryskind

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 29

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Interview (Part 6): Gillian Weeks

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for her script OH THE HUMANITY.

Unpacking the Mysteries of Screenplay Time

Flashback, Flashforward, Set-Up / Payoff, Callback, Montage, Series of Shots, Cross Cut, Visual-to-Visual Transition, Audio-to- Audio…

Interview: Kelly Fremon Craig

Conversation with the writer-director of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Page One: “The Man Who Wasn’t There” (2001)

Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 27

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up…

Interview (Part 5): Gillian Weeks

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for her script OH THE HUMANITY.

The looming threat of AI to Hollywood, and why it should matter to you

Artificial intelligence could be the most important part of a writers strike, for reasons bigger than show business.

Spec Script Deal: “Stakehorse”

Amazon Studios acquires crime thriller spec script “Stakehorse” written by Justin Piasecki. Via Deadline:

Page One: “Cobb” (1994)

Screenplay by Ron Shelton, based on material by Al Stump

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 27

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…