Go Into The Story

The Theology of Cinema: Predestination

“The story you write about your Protagonist is in some ways predestined, the specific combination of the character’s life circumstances…

Interview (Video): Christopher McQuarrie

Insights into McQuarrie’s role working on the Top Gun: Maverick screenplay in the last stage of pre-production, through production, and…

Page One: “Memphis Belle” (1990)

Written by Monte Merrick

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

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

Page One: “Melvin and Howard” (1980)

Written by Bo Goldman

90 Words for “looks” and 115 Words for “walks”

Movies are primarily a visual medium. Therefore as screenwriters, we need to think visually… and write visually.

Imagematic writing

Good screenwriting is visual writing. After all, movies are: Motion. Pictures.

Trimming Tricks of the Trade: Lose the Orphans

One way to cut pages while not messing with the integrity of the story.

The Business of Screenwriting: Someday someone WILL beat you to the punch

If you traffic in high concept stories, chances are you’ll confront this scenario.

Page One: “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (2015)

Written by Jesse Andrews

Video: David Lynch on Where Ideas Come From

Story wisdom from the writer-director of such notable movies as Blue Velvet, Elephant Man, Twin Peaks, and Mulholland Dr.

What is the point of the scene?

Begin the scene-writing process by asking this fundamental question.

How Judd Apatow Wrote a Movie Using Email

He emailed himself notes which became the foundation for the movie Knocked Up.

Great Scene: “Kramer vs. Kramer”

Two scenes making french toast provide signposts to measure the nature of a father-son relationship.

Page One: “The Matrix Revolutions” (2003)

Written by The Wachowskis

Go Into The Story Resource: Page One

A daily series featuring the first page of notable movie scripts from all eras.

Go Into The Story Interview: Jess King

My Q&A with indie filmmaker, educator, and author of the new book Inclusive Screenwriting for Film and Television.

Pixar and Visual Storytelling

A tiny bit of business in the movie Up reminds us that movies are primarily a visual medium.

Screenwriting 101: David White

“When I sit down to write an individual scene I’ll usually think in terms of beats. This has to happen. Then this happens. Then this…

Page One: “The Matrix Reloaded” (2003)

Written by The Wachowskis

Go Into The Story Resource: Songwriters on Songwriting

From David Byrne to Brian Wilson, Joan Baez to Suzanne Vega… wisdom about the creative process from a musical perspective.

2022 Willamette Writers Conference

The largest writers organization in the Pacific Northwest hosts its annual conference… and this year, the site shifts to downtown Portland!

Deep Work vs. Shallow Work

As writers, we need to protect time for the former from the encroachment of the latter. Here are four strategies to do precisely that.

On Writing

“Perhaps because of my long history as a dancer, actress and writer, rejection is something with which I am all too familiar. . . for every…

Page One: “Matchstick Men” (2003)

Screenplay by Nicholas Griffin & Ted Griffin, book by Eric Garcia