Go Into The Story

How to Use Go Into The Story (Part 1): Watch Movies

Some end of the year advice for blog readers.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 26: “American Hustle”

Why read 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“The Story We Know”

Reflections on a poem by Martha Collins.

On Writing

“I think doubt, questioning and uncertainty are very dynamic — in life and in fiction. Certainty is static. Doubt propels. My characters…

Page One: “Where the Wild Things Are” (2009)

Screenplay by Spike Jonze & Dave Eggers, based on a book by Maurice Sendak

Why I keep hosting this blog… and a Christmas wish for you

Because of emails like this!

“A Wish for Wings That Work”

The wonderful holiday story written by Berkley Breathed, adapted as an animated short feature.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 25: “The Kids Are All Right”

Why read 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Great Scene: “Die Hard”

Compare script to screen for the explosive rooftop sequence.

Page One: “What They Had” (2018)

Written by Elizabeth Chomko

Jayden, agreed.

It takes faith for a Protagonist to embark on their journey not knowing how it all will turn out.

The Theology of Cinema: Faith

“Faith is better understood as a verb than as a noun, as a process than as a possession. It is on-again-off-again rather than…

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 24: “Moonrise Kingdom”

Why read 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”

Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, and story as psychological journey.

Interview: Martin McDonagh

A conversation with the writer-director of the movie The Banshees of Inisherin.

Page One: “What Price Hollywood?” (1932)

By Gene Fowler and Rowland Brown, based on a story by Adela Rogers St. Johns, screen play by Jane Murfin and Ben Markson

Jayden, thanks for your observations.

It's a "dark" story, unusual for movies associated with Christmas, but the Jesus story is also a "dark" one.

Update: 2022–2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 27 Total, 5 New Scripts

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

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 23: “Flight”

Why read 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Plot Backward

You’re doing prep work, breaking the story. Problem is, the story is breaking YOU! The plot is a mess, you can’t figure it out, bits and…

Writing and the Creative Life: Wherein I embrace my messy desk!

For decades, I have waged a relentless war. The battlefield? My desk. Raised a military brat and a Southern Baptist to boot, the message I…

Page One: “What Lies Beneath” (2000)

Screenplay by Clark Gregg, story by Sarah Kernochan and Clark Gregg

When 3-Act Structure is 4-Act Structure

“Per Aristotle, while we may still think of a story having three acts — Beginning, Middle, End — at a psychological level in the narrative…

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 22: “Mud”

Why read 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Great Characters: George Bailey (“It’s A Wonderful Life”)

Who doesn’t remember this face?