Go Into The Story

The first thing to note is that the script is long: 153 pages to be exact.

For the analysis here, let's my language system for a mainstream commercial Hollywood screenplay using. NOTE: I use 105 page count as it…

The Mitchells vs.

The story brings to mind other movies, such as The Incredibles: dysfunctional family takes on a common enemy and in the process of that…

Adverbs = Bad Writing?

A seemingly innocuous Stephen King quote provokes online controversy.

2022 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Genre Bend

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Script Analysis: “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” — Part 4: Themes

A week-long analysis of the script for the hit animation movie. Download. Read. Discuss.

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: “Honey Boy” (2019)

Written by Shia LaBeouf

Marie, if you read my interviews, I often ask that question at the end of the conversation.

https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/go-into-the-story-interviews-9fff8e1cdbda#.umppz2lxe

2022 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Gender Bend

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Script Analysis: “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” — Part 4: Themes

A week-long analysis of the script for the hit animation movie. Download. Read. Discuss.

The Business of Screenwriting: They will pigeonhole you (and why this can be a good thing)

The co-star of K-9 was a dog named Jerry Lee.

Page One: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” (2005)

Screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick, book by Douglas Adams

Update: 2021–2022 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 1 New Script, 46 Total

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

2022 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Script Diary

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Script Analysis: “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” — Part 3: Characters

A week-long analysis of the script for the hit animation movie. Download. Read. Discuss.

Page One: “High Noon” (1952)

Screenplay by Carl Foreman, based on the magazine story “The Tin Star” by John W. Cunningham

Three Keys to Writing in a Distracting World

I become fully engaged in my writing when I am fully engaged with my characters.

2022 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Index Cards!

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Script Analysis: “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” — Part 2: Plot

A week-long analysis of the script for the hit animation movie. Download. Read. Discuss.

Screenwriting 101: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen

Ethan Coen: I don’t know what that is, three-act structure.

Page One: “Hidden Figures” (2016)

Screenplay by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi, based on a book by Margot Lee Shetterly

The Protagonist’s Journey: Change Agent

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

2022 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — “What if…”

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Script Analysis: “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

A week-long analysis of the script for the hit animation movie. Download. Read. Discuss.

On Writing

“Notice how many of the Olympic athletes effusively thanked their mothers for their success? ‘She drove me to my practice at four in the…