Go Into The Story

Story Type: Heist Movies

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

Screenwriting 101: Jeffrey Boam

“Ultimately, plot is of little importance, more of a mechanical contrivance against which characters come to life. Plot tries to engage…

Page One: “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” (1992)

Screenplay by David Lynch & Robert Engels, based on the TV series by Mark Frost & David Lynch

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 28: “The King’s Speech”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Q&A: Alisha Brophy and Scott Miles

The screenwriting duo talks about their longstanding writers group along with tips on how to sustain a successful one.

Story Type: Gender Bender

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

On Writing

“I think there are very few rules that can’t be broken. I think there is only one that is very difficult to break. I have seen it broken…

Page One: “12 Monkeys” (1995)

Screenplay by David Webb Peoples & Janet Peoples, inspired by the film ‘La Jetée’ written by Chris Marker

Sundays with Sidney Lumet’s “Making Movies”

A series featuring reflections on filmmaking by one of the truly great movie directors.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 27: “(500) Days of Summer”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

The Theology of Cinema: Baptism

Plunged beneath the water as the trial. Rising up reborn as a New Person.

Interview: Tony Gilroy

A conversation with the creator and showrunner of the TV series Andor.

Page One: “Truth” (2015)

Screenplay by James Vanderbilt, book by Mary Mapes

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 26: “Little Miss Sunshine”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

How to Handle Blocks of Scene Description

Think of each paragraph as a camera shot… with a catch.

Great Scene: “CODA”

Ruby wants nothing more than to go away to college to study vocal performance. But there’s her unique family situation to deal with…

2022 Hollywood Reporter Writer Roundtable

It’s an annual tradition: The Hollywood Reporter Writer Roundtable. This year the writer lineup: Jordan Peele, Rian Johnson, Martin…

Page One: “The Truman Show” (1998)

Written by Andrew Niccol

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 25: “The Silence of the Lambs”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“Make Me Care”

It’s probably the greatest story commandment because if a script reader cares about your characters, they will buy into your story. If they…

Story Type: Frustration Comedy

With movies, there are Genres. Cross Genres. Sub-Genres. Also Story Types. One of them: Frustration Comedy.

Writing and the Creative Life: A Playlist to Calm the Mind

A therapist suggests some music to reduce anxiety… and spur creativity.

Page One: “Troy” (2004)

Screenplay by David Benioff, poem by Homer

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 24: “The Social Network”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“Earn this.”

When it comes to a scene where a character makes a critical choice, it’s imperative that you — as the writer — have earned that moment.