Go Into The Story

Script Analysis: “Crazy Rich Asians” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

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

On Writing

“An author in his book must be like God in the universe, present everywhere and visible nowhere.”

Page One: “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” (2020)

Written by Eliza Hittman

Script Analysis: “Coco” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

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

Springsteen: “I’m a soul miner”

Reflections on the craft of songwriting from New Jersey’s own upon the release of 7 new albums.

“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…

Screenwriting 101: Ted Elliott

“When I hear aspiring screenwriters who talk about, ‘Yeah, I saw Godzilla and it was terrible. I can write better than that.’ My feeling…

Script Analysis: ‘1917’ — Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

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

Writing TipThe Poetry of Screenwriting

When writing scene description, think poetry instead of prose.

On Writing

“The great thing about writing is that it can be produced in sub-optimal — even atrocious — conditions. And so many of the most…

Page One: “The New World” (2005)

Written by Terrence Malick

Page One: “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)

Written by Jared Hess & Jerusha Hess

Page One: “Nanny” (2022)

Written by Nikyatu Jusu

Page One: “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” (1988)

Written by Jerry Zucker & Jim Abrahams & David Zucker & Pat Proft, television series “Police Squad” by Jim Abrahams & David Zucker & Jerry…

Page One: “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult” (1994)

Written by Pat Proft & David Zucker & Robert LoCash, television series “Police Squad” by Jim Abrahams & David Zucker & Jerry Zucker

Page One: “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” (1988)

Written by Jerry Zucker & Jim Abrahams & David Zucker & Pat Proft, television series “Police Squad” by Jim Abrahams & David Zucker & Jerry…

Script Analysis: “Argo” (2012) — Scene By Scene Breakdown

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

Screenwriting 101: Ava DuVernay

“When I write a screenplay, I’m writing for myself. I’m the director and I need to create an emotional map. Not just plot, but a map of…

The Business of Screenwriting: “Qualify the customer”

Okay, this week’s post is a blast from the past and only comes about due to a recent revelation from a TV producer I know that she has…

Page One: “The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear” (1991)

Written by David Zucker & Pat Proft, television series “Police Squad” by Jim Abrahams & David Zucker & Jerry Zucker

Writing Tip: Find Your Writer’s Voice

I hear this a lot in conversations with writers, but mostly with managers, agents, and producers. They’re looking for writers who cover a…

Script Analysis: “12 Years a Slave” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

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

On Writing

“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.”

Page One: “My Friend Dahmer” (2017)

Written by Marc Meyers, based on the book My Friend Dahmer by John Backderf

Script Analysis: “Gone Girl” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

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