Go Into The Story

Writing Goals: 2022 [Part 1] — Looking Back

Over the next two weeks, a 10-part series for writers to consider what we did in 2021 and will do in 2022.

Page One: “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” (2018)

Screenplay by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty

On Writing

“After focus, the next most important thing for a novelist is, hands down, endurance. If you concentrate on writing three or four hours a…

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

A series featuring reflections on writing from the famed author’s memoir.

Script Analysis: “Birdman: Or (the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” — 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 10: Simple and Complex Plots

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

Interview (Video): Lana Wachowski

A Q&A session with the writer-director of The Matrix Resurrections.

Page One: “Call Northside 777” (1948)

Screen play by Jerome Cady and Jay Dratler, adaptation by Leonard Hoffman and Quentin Reynolds

Script Analysis: “Big Eyes” — 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 9(D): Surprise, Cause and Effect

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

Spec Script Deal: “Phantom”

Universal Pictures acquires drama mystery romance “Phantom” written by John Fusco. Via Deadline:

Interview (Written): Tony Kushner

A conversation with the writer who wrote the latest adaptation of the musical West Side Story.

Page One: “Call Me by Your Name” (2017)

Screenplay by James Ivory, novel by André Aciman

Interview: Linh Tran

An exclusive Go Into The Story Q&A with DePaul University MFA in Directing graduate on her award-winning short film Dinner.

Script Analysis: “The Big Sick” — 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 9(C): Episodic

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 act of writing provides health benefits

“From long-term health improvements to short-term benefits like sleeping better, it’s official: Writers are doing something right.”

Page One: “The Cabin in the Woods” (2011)

Written by Joss Whedon & Drew Goddard

Script Analysis: “The Big Short” — 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 9(B): Possibility, Probability and Necessity

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

Spec Script Deal: “Lady Krylon”

Stampede Ventures acquires drama thriller spec script “Lady Krylon” written by Brandon Constantine. Via Deadline:

The Business of Screenwriting: Celebrate your victories

Based on my experiences as a screenwriter in Hollywood, there are many things I can advise you to do that are not particularly enjoyable…

Page One: “Burn After Reading” (2008)

Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

J, 1K+ workshops?

For example, it took me 10+ years to discover screenwriting. So professionally, I've always been a decade behind my peers. Certainly, that…

Update: 2021–2022 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 3 New Scripts, 14 Total

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