Go Into The Story

Interview (Part 1): Michael Ballin and Thomas Aguilar

My interview with 2021 Black List writer for their script The College Dropout.

Spec Script Deal: “Batshit”

Universal Pictures acquires action thriller spec script “Batshit” written by Ryan Belenzon and Jeff Gelber. Via THR:

On Writing

“So much of it is luck. Dumb fucking luck. There is so much talent out there — in every area — and it can’t get a set of eyes [to see it]…

Page One: “The King’s Speech” (2010)

Screenplay by David Seidler

Sundays with Sidney Lumet’s “Making Movies”

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

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 10

This is the 13th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “Nightmare Alley”

A week-long analysis of the thriller script and movie. Download. Read. Discuss.

Video: 10 Screenwriting Tips from Jane Campion

How she wrote and directed The Power of the Dog and The Piano.

Page One: “King Richard” (2021)

Written by Zach Baylin

Script Analysis: “Nightmare Alley” — Part 6: Takeaways

A week-long analysis of the thriller script and movie. Download. Read. Discuss.

I've already mentioned the very last line of dialogue which really gets at the core of Stan's…

So let me go with this side of dialogue from Pete shared with Stan:

As for the story's central theme, I'd circle back to a point I noted in Part 1: self-identity.

Or maybe more accurately, he knows stuff about his inner psychological nature (after all, he tells Lilith that he's not a good person), but…

At Ryan's encouragement, I went ahead and watched the movie, after reading the script.

For over two decades, I have been drawn to analyzing movies and TV series through the lens of five primary character archetypes…

I don't have time to do a sequence breakdown, but I think that would be the best way to analyze the…

What I do have time to do is an analysis of the story using Three Act Structure. From my perspective, that breakdown looks like this:

I knew nothing about this movie.

I think that all movies, indeed, all stories explore a fundamental question about key characters, most notably the Protagonist. That…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 9

This is the 13th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Great Scene: “Adaptation.”

When Charlie Kaufman meets screenwriting guru Robert McKee.

Video: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg Teach ‘Screenwriting 101’

10 tips from the screenwriters of Superbad, Pineapple Express, This is the End, and other comedies.

Page One: “The King of Staten Island” (2020)

Written by Judd Apatow, Pete Davidson, and Dave Sirus

Breckenridge Hood, you are correct.

If you live in Breckenridge, good for you! I lived in Aspen (1978-1980). Been to festivals in Telluride many times. Love Colorado!

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 8

This is the 13th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Script Analysis: “Nightmare Alley” — Part 5: Dialogue

A week-long analysis of the thriller script and movie. Download. Read. Discuss.

Spec Script Deal: “Ending Things”

Amazon Studios acquires action thriller spec script “Ending Things” written by Kevin Sullivan. Via Deadline:

Writing and the Creative Life: 14 Artists Break Down the Creative Process

Words of wisdom from filmmakers, poets, architects, sculptors, dancers, musicians, and more.

Page One: “King Kong” (2005)

Screenplay by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, based on a story by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace