Go Into The Story

A reminder: Working with character archetypes is not about rules.

Also this: Each character is the Protagonist in their own story.

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 11

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

Great Scene: “Zorba the Greek”

First… disaster. Next… dancing. And then… Nietzsche.

Video: Interviews with Screenwriters of Five 2023 Oscar Nominated Movies

A conversation with the writers of All Quiet on the Western Front, Glass Onion, Living, Triangle of Sadness, and Women Talking.

This is a biopic.

First: One can argue that the Protagonist is not Elvis Presley, but Colonel Tom Parker. The story is told through his perspective. In this…

Page One: “Annabelle” (2014)

Written by Gary Dauberman

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 10

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

Script Analysis: “Elvis” — Part 5: Dialogue

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the critically acclaimed horror-thriller. Download. Read. Discuss.

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Listen to a Movie

Let’s say you have a moment of clarity. You admit to yourself that your ability to write dialogue could use a boost.

The Business of Screenwriting: Everybody gets rewritten in Hollywood

And by everybody, I mean EVERYBODY!

Page One: “Angel Eyes” (2001)

Written by Gerald Di Pego

Great analysis, Lois.

As far as Colonel Parker's character goes, when I post something in the Part 3: Character article, I'm going to make the argument that…

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 9

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

Script Analysis: “Elvis” — Part 4: Themes

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the critically acclaimed horror-thriller. Download. Read. Discuss.

Screenwriting Mantra: Watch Movies. Read Scripts. Write Pages.

I came up with this screenwriting mantra a decade ago. Still works.

Great Scene: “Young Frankenstein”

One of the most inspired comedic moments in a truly inspired film: The “Puttin’ on the Ritz” bit.

Page One: “Anatomy of a Murder” (1959)

Screenplay by Wendell Mayes, based on the novel by John D. Voelker as Robert Traver

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 8

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

Script Analysis: “Elvis” — Part 3: Characters

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the critically acclaimed horror-thriller. Download. Read. Discuss.

Writing Reflections on Carl Jung

A 5-part series on Jung, psychology, and the the writing craft.

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: “Get Off Your Ass”

Sitting. Typing. Sitting. Thinking. Sitting. Stressing. Sitting. Sitting. Sitting…

Page One: “An American Werewolf in London” (1981)

Written by John Landis

One of the most challenging screenplays to write is a biopic.

This is one reason why in recent years, we have seen more of what is sometimes called a snapshot bio. In that approach, the writer focuses…

2022 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 7

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

Script Analysis: “Elvis” — Part 2: Plot

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the critically acclaimed horror-thriller. Download. Read. Discuss.