Go Into The Story

Video: “Raising the Stakes on the Call to Adventure”

Reflections on a screenplay’s Act One end by five-time Black List screenwriter Jonathan Stokes.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 18(B): Four Kinds of Tragedy

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Page One: “Cast Away” (2000)

Written by William Broyles Jr.

While there are some stories in which the Protagonist refuses to change or is a change agent (they…

You may enjoy this article on the subject: https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/screenplay-as-a-series-of-event-reactions-abe987d1e7e5

Great question, Viridiana.

Interesting that there seems to be a lot less sex on screen in movies nowadays. Compare to the 80s and 90s, for example, with movies like…

Thanks for the kind words, Dan.

As far as Genial is concerned, I’m not familiar with that particular product, but as of January 1, I’m subscribing to Writers Room Pro, as…

Why I keep hosting this blog… and a Christmas wish for you

Because of emails like this!

“A Wish for Wings That Work”

The wonderful holiday story written by Berkley Breathed, adapted as an animated short feature.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Complication and Denouement

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work

20 writing tips which actually are quite smart… because they work!

Page One: “Captain Fantastic” (2016)

Written by Matt Ross

Writing Goals: 2022 [Part 10] — Trust the Process

10 part series for writers to consider what we did in 2021 and will do in 2022.

Script Analysis: “Enough Said” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

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

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 17: Plot and Episode

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Writing and the Creative Life: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”

Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, and story as psychological journey.

Page One: “Double Indemnity” (1944)

Screenplay by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler, novel by James M. Cain

Writing Goals: 2022 [Part 9] — The Only Way Out Is Through

10 part series for writers to consider what we did in 2021 and will do in 2022.

Script Analysis: “The End of the Tour” Scene By Scene Breakdown

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

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 16: Recognition

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Update: 2021–2022 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 4 New Scripts, 21 Total

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

Page One: “Destroyer” (2018)

Written by Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi

Writing Goals: 2022 [Part 8] — First Draft

10 part series for writers to consider what we did in 2021 and will do in 2022.

Script Analysis: “Eighth Grade” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

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

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 15(C): The Example of Good Portrait Painters

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Screenwriting 101: Michael Arndt

“When I was working as a script reader, I read a gazillion scripts that had rote, uninspired endings. It started to really bother me. And…