Go Into The Story

WGA Contract Negotiations Begin

What’s at stake and what to expect.

Screenwriting 101: Billy Wilder

“Film’s thought of as a director’s medium because the director creates the end product that appears on the screen. It’s that stupid auteur…

Page One: “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)

Animated screenplay by Linda Woolverton, story by Brenda Chapman & Chris Sanders & Burny Mattinson & Kevin Harkey & Brian Pimental & Bruce…

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 20

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Script Analysis: “Everything Everywhere All At Once” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

A week-long analysis of the movie which won 7 Oscars including Best Original Screenplay. Download. Read. Discuss.

Great Scene: “American Graffiti”

It’s Harrison Ford’s breakout role as Bob Falfa, a wise-cracking farm boy.

On Writing

“People write me all the time, or get in touch with me about ‘What should I do if I want to be a writer? I say, ‘Well, do you really want…

Page One: “Beautiful Girls” (1996)

Written by Scott Rosenberg

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 19

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

The Challenge of Writing Dialogue

How to be entertaining, yet serve the story by advancing the plot?

The Theology of Cinema: Evil

“The question of theodicy provides writers a starting point for a conversation about our stories: The innate nature of evil as embodied in…

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 18

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview (Part 6): Miguel Flatow

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Viva, Mexico!

Screenplay Primers

A helpful series on the screenwriting craft from the good people at the Writers Guild Foundation.

Interview (Written): Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

A Hollywood Reporter conversation with the filmmakers who wrote and directed the movie 65.

Page One: “Battlefield Earth” (2000)

Screenplay by Corey Mandell and J.D. Shapiro, novel by L. Ron Hubbard

Screenwriting as Scene-Writing

My unique 1-week online course begins Monday, March 27th.

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 17

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview (Part 5): Miguel Flatow

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Viva, Mexico!

Writing and the Creative Life: Need writing inspiration? Go to an airport.

All those arrivals and departures represent a non-stop flow of stories.

Page One: “Beasts of No Nation” (2015)

Written for the screen by Cary Joji Fukunaga, based on the novel by Uzodinma Iweala

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 16

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview (Part 4): Miguel Flatow

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Viva, Mexico!

Screenwriting Mantra: Writing as a Protagonist’s journey

Most stories involve a Protagonist going on a journey. Whether it’s physical, spiritual, geographical, symbolic or all of the above, a…

The Business of Screenwriting: Going to the Movies

One of the most important ways you can learn the craft of screenwriting is by watching movies. Studying them. Breaking them down sequence…