Go Into The Story

60 Second Screenwriter: What makes a great beginning of a script?

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in sixty seconds.

On Writing

“Who will teach me to write? a reader wanted to know. The page, the page, the blankness of eternity which you cover slowly, affirming…

Page One: “Moulin Rouge!” (2001)

Written by Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce

Sundays with Sidney Lumet’s “Making Movies”

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

Go Into The Story Interview: Laura Kosann

My interview with the writer who not only was named a 2021 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient, but also had two scripts make…

Character Introductions: 12 Part Series

Everything you need to know about the subject… and probably more.

Interview (Written): Cooper Raiff

Writer, director, and lead actor in the excellent film Cha Cha Real Smooth.

Page One: “Motherless Brooklyn” (2019)

Written for the screen by Edward Norton, from the novel by Jonathan Lethem

Story Type: Buddy Picture

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

Interview (Part 6): Laura Kosann

My interview with the writer who not only was named a 2021 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient, but also had two scripts make…

Character Introductions: Part 12

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

Interview (Video): Jack Epps, Jr.

A conversation with the co-writer of the original Top Gun movie and other hit movies including The Secret of My Success and Turner &…

Page One: “Mother! (2017)”

Written by Darren Aronofsky

To Write, Stop Thinking

Think character. Think plot. Think theme. But when you sit down to write, don’t think… feel.

Interview (Part 5): Laura Kosann

My interview with the writer who not only was named a 2021 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient, but also had two scripts make…

Character Introductions: Part 11

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

Writing and the Creative Life: Your characters want you to tell their story

Lean into your characters. After all, it’s their story.

Page One: “Monsters, Inc.” (2001)

Screenplay by Andrew Stanton & Daniel Gerson, original story by Pete Docter & Jill Culto & Jeff Pidgeon & Ralph Eggleston

Video: “The Act One Break”

Another in the terrific screenwriting series Raising the Stakes.

Interview (Part 4): Laura Kosann

My interview with the writer who not only was named a 2021 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient, but also had two scripts make…

Character Introductions: Part 10

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

The Business of Screenwriting: Trailer Moments, Set Pieces and Bits Of Business (BOBs)

You may have read countless screenwriting books. Attended seminars. Taken courses. But I doubt if you have stumbled across these three…

Page One: “Moneyball” (2011)

Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, story by Stan Chervin, book by Michael Lewis

The Protagonist’s Journey: Narrative Imperative

An excerpt from my book The Protagonist’s Journey: An Introduction to Character-Driven Screenwriting and Storytelling.

Interview (Part 3): Laura Kosann

My interview with the writer who not only was named a 2021 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient, but also had two scripts make…