Go Into The Story

Story Type: Found Footage

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: “I don’t have to smell it to sell it”

An object lesson in Agent Talk.

Page One: “Tremors” (1990)

Screenplay by S.S. Wilson & Brent Maddock, story by S.S. Wilson & Brent Maddock & Ron Underwood

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 23: “Pan’s Labyrinth”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“Fear”

A poem by Khalil Gibran describes both the Protagonist’s journey … and the writer’s journey.

Story Type: Fish Out Of Water (FOOW)

When a central character finds themselves WAY out of their natural element.

Great Scene: “Children of Men”

In the midst of a heated battle, Theo find Kee and the baby alive. Then a miracle happens…

Page One: “Trainspotting” (1996)

Screenplay by John Hodge, based on the novel by Irvine Welsh

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 22: “Double Indemnity”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

How to Decide Which Story to Write

Are you trying to figure out which of one or more stories to write next?

Story Types: Disaster

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

Screenwriting 101: Kate Marks

“I love seeing real people, the details and the quirks that they have. I pay really close attention to them. Sometimes, I write in the…

Page One: “Toy Story 3” (2010)

Screenplay by Michael Arndt, story by John Lasseter & Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 21: “When Harry Met Sally…”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Reader Question: Where do you go for inspiration when the words just aren’t coming?

What to do to break through a creative funk?

Story Type: Contained Thriller

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

On Writing

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that frustration is a part of the process. I’ve rarely written anything good that did…

Page One: “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” (2011)

Screenplay by Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan, novel by John le Carré

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 20: “Platoon”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

The Theology of Cinema: Annunciation

What the Angel’s visit to Mary can teach us about the Call to Adventure.

Interview: Derek Kolstad

Three screenwriters in conversation: Ben Lustig and Jake Thornton interview Derek Kolstad of John Wick fame.

Page One: “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (2021)

Written for the screen by Joel Coen, based on the play by William Shakespeare

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 19: “Broadcast News”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Update: 2022–2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 2 New Scripts, 10 Total

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