Go Into The Story

Interview (Part 4): Gillian Weeks

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

Go Into The Story: Paris 2023

Reflections on a recent three-day screenwriting class I taught in France.

2023 WGA Strike Rules

In the event there is a work stoppage on May 1 or soon thereafter, the Writers Guild of America has sent strike rules to its membership.

Page One: “Cloak & Dagger” (1984)

Screenplay and screen story by Tom Holland from a story by Cornell Woolrich

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 26

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 3): Gillian Weeks

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

Script To Screen: “Wall Street”

A scene from the 1987 movie Wall Street.

Hollywood Tales

“I’ve always written for my own edification and for fun but I have this fear of rejection so I spent my entire life being a writer who…

Page One: “The Client” (1994)

Screenplay by Akiva Goldsman and Robert Getchell, book by John Grisham

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 25

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 2): Gillian Weeks

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

Script To Screen: “The Way Way Back”

A scene from the 2013 movie The Way Way Back, written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash.

Screenwriting 101: Sam Boyer

“The thing that scared me and screwed me up the first couple of times I tried writing a feature was I would blind go into it, and not know…

Page One: “City Hall” (1996)

Written by Ken Lipper and Paul Schrader & Nicholas Pileggi and Bo Goldman

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 24

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 1): Gillian Weeks

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

Structure and Freedom

Words of creative wisdom the great 20th century composer Igor Stravinsky.

On Writing

“A book won’t stand or fall on the very first line of prose — the story has got to be there, and that’s the real work. And yet a really…

Page One: “Children of the Corn” (1984)

Screenplay by George Goldsmith, short story by Stephen King

Good to hear, Rahab. I encourage you to check out this archive:

https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/go-into-the-story-script-reading-analysis-series-ced4b77fc285

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 23

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…

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “Nope”

The entire 6-part series delving into the science fiction horror movie.

Interview (Video): Ari Aster

An hour-plus conversation with the writer-director of Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau is Afraid.

Script To Screen: “The Wizard of Oz”

From the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, screenplay by Noel Langley & Florence Ryerson & Edgar Allan Woolf, adaptation by Noel Langley from…

Page One: “Chasing Amy” (1997)

Written by Kevin Smith