Go Into The Story

Script Analysis: “Avengers: Endgame” —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 6(G): Spectacle Sixth

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: “Come to the edge”

Going beyond the edge of the Old World into the New World can be a terrifying experience, but a necessary one for the transformation…

Page One: “Bridge of Spies” (2015)

Written by Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen

Patty, I tend to look at “fate” a bit differently in terms of the story-crafting process.

Why does this story have to happen to this character at this time?

Tweetstorm: Ed Zwick on Screenwriting

“Periods of great creativity are often punctuated by barren stretches. The worst thing is to stop writing. Keep plugging away: it may be…

Script Analysis: “The Artist” — 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 6(F): Diction Fourth, Song Fifth

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

The Business of Screenwriting: 24/7/365

When you’re a writer, you’re basically never NOT working.

Page One: “Brick” (2005)

Written by Rian Johnson

Update: 2021–2022 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 2 New Scripts, 8 Total

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

Script Analysis: “Arrival” — 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 6(E): Thought Third

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

Great Scene: “A Christmas Story”

Tongue meets frozen pole in this memorable scene from the charming 1983 holiday movie.

Page One: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)

Screenplay by George Axelrod., novel by Truman Capote

One Way to Get Your Foot in the Door in the Movie and TV Business

It’s tough to break into the entertainment business as a screenwriter, but there are plenty of other jobs which can be a springboard to…

Script Analysis: “Argo” —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 6(D): Plot First, Character Second

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: Reid Carolin

Since the announcement hit yesterday that there will be a Magic Mike 3, I thought we could get some screenwriting wisdom from an interview…

Page One: “The Bourne Identity” (2002)

Screenplay by Tony Gilroy and William Blake Herron, novel by Robert Ludlum

Reflections of 2021 Black List Feature Writer’s Lab Participants

Writers who participated in this year’s Black List Feature Writer’s Lab reflect on their experience.

Script Analysis: ‘Antebellum’ — 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 6(C): The 6 Parts of Tragedy, Part 2

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

On Writing

“The great thing about writing is that it can be produced in sub-optimal — even atrocious — conditions. And so many of the most interesting…

Page One: “Blue Valentine” (2010)

Screenplay by Derek Cianfrance & Joey Curtis and Cami Delavigne