Go Into The Story

The Theology of Cinema: Chosen

The archetype of the Chosen One is common to movies, echoing the Messiah figure in ancient religions.

Interview (Written): Rian Johnson

A conversation with the writer-director of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Page One: “Up” (2009)

Screenplay by Bob Peterson & Pete Docter, story by Pete Docter & Bob Peterson & Tom McCarthy

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 3: “Jane Eyre”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Don’t stand in water where you should be fishing

I use fishing as a metaphor for one’s approach to screenwriting. Seriously.

Great Scene: “No Country For Old Men”

“You need to call it. I can’t call it for you. It wouldn’t be fair. It wouldn’t even be right.”

Writing and the Creative Life: Nothing succeeds like failure

Re-thinking the role of failure in the creative life.

Page One: “Uncle Buck” (1989)

Written by John Hughes

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 2: “Prisoners”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“Haunt: Screenplay & Filmmaker Diaries”

A new book from the writers of A Quiet Place.

Update: 2022–2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 2 New Scripts, 12 Total

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

Story Type: Mockumentary

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

Page One: “Gladiator” (2000)

Screenplay by David Franzoni and John Logan and William Nicholson, story by David Franzoni

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 1: “The Way, Way Back”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Highlight Your Verbs

I featured this bit of wisdom from screenwriter Larry Ferguson before here, the key quote being:

Story Type: Mistaken Identity

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

The Business of Screenwriting: There’s a green light…

I’m attending a fundraiser for my son’s elementary school. It’s an alternative private school on the Westside, an institution that prides…

Page One: “Unbreakable” (2000)

Written by M. Night Shyamalan

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 30: “Michael Clayton”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Make More Writing Time by Organizing Work Time

Five tips to work smarter and create more time for your writing life.

Story Type: Martial Arts

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

Great Scene: “Heat”

The 1995 movie Heat, written and directed by Michael Mann, is superior entertainment. Here’s an IMDb plot summary:

Page One: “Unbroken” (2014)

Screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen and Richard LaGravenese and William Nicholson, book by Laura Hillenbrand

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 29: “Gladiator”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

The Coen Brothers and the Craft of Storytelling

My one-week online class begins Monday, December 5th.