Go Into The Story

Script Analysis: “Nope” — Part 6: Takeaways

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the science fiction horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele. Download. Read. Discuss.

Let’s track the use of the word “Nope” in the script.

1: Phyllis on the set of the TV series: “Somehow you’d think a man who can send a rocket into space would be able to manage a halfway…

As noted, there’s a lot going on in the story with several themes at play, but I’m just going to…

In an interview to promote the movie, Jordan Peele said this: “The word we used the most on set, was spectacle. There’s something magical…

I look at the brother and sister characters, OJ and Emerald as Co-Protagonists.

The Alien (Jean Jacket) is an actual physical Nemesis as it exists to devour humans and animals alike. As OJ says midway through the story…

As I noted in my comments in the Scene-By-Scene Breakdown article, while there is a conventional…

I think that writer-director Jordan Peele pulls off a deft bit of plotting which aligns with some of the key themes in the story, most…

Monster movie?

After reading the script and watching the movie, I think it’s all of the above and escapist fare. What Jordan Peele has achieved with Nope…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 22

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…

Gypsy Thornton, I know, right?

The Bible has it right on this point: "For the love of money is the root of all evil." - 1st Timothy 6:10.

Script To Screen: “You Can Count On Me”

A key scene from the excellent 2000 drama You Can Count On Me, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan.

How to “lean into” your story’s characters

Reflections on Receptive Writing and Reflective Writing.

Tina, here's how I approach the process of "leaning into" a story's characters.

The first and most important stage is what I call Receptive Writing. This is where we immerse ourselves in the story universe and the lives…

T. David, I've had the same thought as you: A series "bible" and incarnation.

I have a few more thoughts on the matter which I'll get into in my response to Tina.

Page One: “Cherry” (2021)

Screenplay by Angela Russo-Otstot) and Jessica Goldberg, book by Nico Walker

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 21

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…

Script Analysis: “Nope” — Part 5: Dialogue

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the science fiction horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele. Download. Read. Discuss.

Spec Script Deal: “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice”

20th Century acquires action comedy spec script “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” written by BenDavid Grabinski. Via Deadline:

Your characters want you to tell their story

Lean into your characters. After all, it’s their story.

Page One: “Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007)

Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, book by George Crile

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 20

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…

Script Analysis: “Nope” — Part 4: Themes

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the science fiction horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele. Download. Read. Discuss.

Spec Script Deal: “Never Too Old to Die”

Amazon Studios acquires action comedy spec script “Never Too Old to Die” written by Brian Otting. Via Deadline:

The Business of Screenwriting: “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason”

I’m at lunch with our agents in Beverly Hills. It’s February, 1987. The deal where Universal Pictures bought our spec script K-9 is…

Page One: “Celeste & Jesse Forever” (2012)

Written by Rashida Jones & Will McCormack

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 19

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…

Script Analysis: “Nope” — Part 3: Characters

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the science fiction horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele. Download. Read. Discuss.