Go Into The Story

Great Scene: “Chinatown”

Jake wrangles a shocking truth from Evelyn.

Page One: “You’ve Got Mail” (1998)

Screenplay by Nora Ephron & Delia Ephron, play by Nikolaus Laszlo

2023 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 6

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Update: 2022–2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 34 Total, 3 New Scripts

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Great Scene: “Cast Away”

In a fundamental way, screenwriting is scene-writing, so the more we learn about this aspect of the craft, the better. One way to do that…

On Writing

“It is fatal to be safe in the pursuit of the arts…. You look at who and what you are, where and how you live, where and how you work, and…

Page One: “You Were Never Really Here” (2017)

Screenplay by Lynne Ramsay, based on the book by Jonathan Ames

Screenwriting Mantra: Minimum Words, Maximum Impact

The origin and importance of one of the best screenwriting mantras… ever!

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Transcribe Screenplays

If it worked for Felix Mendelssohn and F. Scott Fitzgerald…

Great Scene: “Caddyshack”

One weird golf course maintenance dude with one weirded out caddie.

Interview (Written): Seth Reiss and Will Tracy

A conversation with the screenwriters of The Menu.

Page One: “Wreck-It Ralph” (2012)

Screenplay by Phil Johnston& Jennifer Lee, story by Rich Moore & Phil Johnston & Jim Reardon

Why You Should Write Three Pages of Garbage Every Morning

“Freewriting forces you to keep moving forward, keep creating, without a thought given to quality.”

2023 Scene-Writing Challenge: Week 1

Here are all of Week 1’s prompts for this year’s Scene-Writing Challenge.

Great Scene: “The Breakfast Club”

The classic John Hughes teen comedy The Breakfast Club was released 38 years ago next month. That’s right… you’re officially old! In honor…

Interview (Video): Damien Chazelle

Conversation with the writer-director of Babylon.

Page One: “Working Girl” (1988)

Written by Kevin Wade

2023 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 5

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Hero’s Journey as Psychological Journey

When we think of the Hero’s Journey, what comes to mind is a geographical adventure. The Heroine starts out in their Ordinary World…

How They Write A Script: Nancy Meyers

Nancy Meyers was for many years part of the Meyers & Shyer writing team that produced numerous hit movies including Private Benjamin…

Great Scene: “Big”

The piano scene at FAO Schwartz.

Page One: “Women Talking” (2022)

Screenplay by Sarah Polley and Miriam Toews, based on Toews’ book

2023 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 4

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

60 Second Screenwriter: What is “high concept?”

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

Walter Murch and The Rule of Six

When this notable figure in cinema talks editing… think screenwriting.