Go Into The Story

Compelling Characters vs. Sympathetic Characters

“Appeal comes from truthful and complex characters. I hate when movie people say, ‘Your lead character has to be sympathetic,’ which for…

Script Analysis: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” — Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Page One: “Night Nurse” (1931)

Screenplay by Oliver H.P. Garrett, additional dialogue by Charles Kenyon, based on the novel by Grace Perkinsfrom (as Dora Macy)

Handling Rejection

It can debilitate… motivate… and take a long time to truly grasp its meaning.

Script Analysis: “Ex Machina” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

On Writing

“Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.”

Page One: “The Night House” (2020)

Written by Ben Collins & Luke Piotrowski

This is something you can do because this is something you have done!

I get email:

Script Analysis: “Short Term 12” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Great Scene: “There Will Be Blood”

The last scene of There Will Be Blood (2007) is one of the most gut-wrenching finales in recent film history. Written and directed by Paul…

Page One: “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” (2008)

Screenplay by Lorene Scafaria, novel by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Writing Tip: A Playlist to Calm the Mind

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

Screenwriting 101: Dennis Foley

“Hollywood is the only town where you can not fail. You can only quit trying.”

Script Analysis: ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ — Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Page One: “A New Leaf” (1971)

Written for the screen by Elaine May, short story “The Green Heart” by Jack Ritchie

Spec Script Deal: “Tough Guys”

Amazon MGM acquires action comedy spec script “Tough Guys” written by Daniel Gold. Via Deadline:

Script Analysis: “Whiplash” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

On Writing

“As the characters become alive to me, there are things that I think they’re going to do that they refuse to do and as I get closer, they…

Page One: “News of the World” (2020)

Screenplay by Paul Greengrass and Luke Davies, based upon the novel by Paulette Jiles

“What should I do if a project sells similar to a script I’m writing?”

Before you jump, step back from the ledge, and consider the following.

Screenwriting 101: Trey Ellis

“I noticed that race colors the perception of me in the film community today much more than I would have thought a decade ago. I call it my…

Script Analysis: “La La Land” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Page One: “New Jack City” (1991)

Screenplay by Thomas Lee Wright and Barry Michael Cooper, story by Thomas Lee Wright

KA, agreed.

What if an alien gets left behind on Earth?

Writing Tip: What if…

Perhaps the two most powerful words in the creative process.