Go Into The Story

5-Part Series: Set Pieces

A scene or set of scenes with a big idea, feel and/or scope to them, often associated with major plot points, and always about…

Interview (Written): Jimmy Warden

A conversation with the screenwriter of Cocaine Bear.

Page One: “The American” (2010)

Screenplay by Rowan Joffe, novel by Martin Booth

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Genre Bend

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Set Pieces, Part 5: Entertainment

A series this week on set pieces: A scene or set of scenes with a big idea, feel and/or scope to them, oftentimes associated with major…

Great Scene: “Up”

Carl gets the house to the top of Paradise Falls, but it’s a Pyrrhic victory.

Writing and the Creative Life: “Believing is seeing”

A twist on the old saying, “Seeing is believing.”

Page One: “All That Jazz” (1979)

Written by Robert Alan Aurthur and Bob Fosse

Hummingbirdheart8: Agreed.

And you are so right about the first page of a script: It should lure the reader to turn the page, to excite them to read more … and be a…

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Gender Bend

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Set Pieces, Part 4: Complications, Roadblocks and Reversals

A series this week on set pieces: A scene or set of scenes with a big idea, feel and/or scope to them, oftentimes associated with major…

Great Scene: “The Untouchables”

Late night. A quiet bridge. Ness and Malone meet for the first time.

The Business of Screenwriting: Celebrate your victories

Based on my experiences as a screenwriter in Hollywood, there are many things I can advise you to do that are not particularly enjoyable…

Page One: “All Is Lost” (2013)

Written by J.C. Chandor

SS, there's nothing wrong with first draft = final draft (presuming you've worked, reworked, and…

But each writer is different. Do what works best for you. Good luck!

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Script Diary

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Set Pieces, Part 3: Stakes

A series this week on set pieces: A scene or set of scenes with a big idea, feel and/or scope to them, oftentimes associated with major…

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: “Don’t Finish That Scene!”

Let’s say you’re in the middle of writing a script — and it’s a slog. You’re finding it really tough to drag your ass onto the chair and…

Great Scene: “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Dominic proposes to Siobahn in a gut-wrenching scene from the award-winning film.

Page One: “Ali” (2001)

Story by Gregory Allen Howard, screenplay by Stephen J. Rivele & Christopher Wilkinson and Eric Roth & Michael Mann

Sure. Please cite the interview URL:

https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/interview-craig-mazin-701e22892464#.g5s7zesrb

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Index Cards!

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Set Pieces, Part 2: Emotional Meaning

One of the most valuable pieces of brainstorming a screenwriter can do with regard to a story is conjure up some good set pieces.

Great Scene: “True Grit”

A snakebit girl. A wounded lawman. A flagging horse. A desperate ride.

Screenwriting 101: Craig Mazin

“There’s a point to each scene. There’s a takeaway. There’s a reason that scene exists. If there isn’t, then you shouldn’t be writing that…