Go Into The Story

What is your daily writing “workout” routine?

Some advice from A Quiet Place screenwriters Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.

“1917”: Scene By Scene Breakdown

The practice of reading scripts is critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. One key to this practice is to work with a scene-by-scene…

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 2: Moral Character, Types, Tragedy and Comedy

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: Quentin Tarantino

“When I read Hard Times, then I could see what a script could be. It was exciting, it was fun, and it wasn’t just the dialogue … It wasn’t…

Page One: “Before Sunset” (2004)

Screenplay by Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy & Ethan Hawke, story by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan, characters by Richard Linklater & Kim…

What is the connection between the Protagonist and the inciting incident?

“The inciting incident raises this question of the Protagonist’s journey: ‘Why does this story have to happen to this character at this…

“12 Years a Slave”: Scene By Scene Breakdown

The practice of reading scripts is critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. One key to this practice is to work with a scene-by-scene…

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 1: Structure and Imitation

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 whole ‘Can I call myself a writer?’ question I found so odd, as if it’s some sort of identity that is separate from the actual act of…

Page One: “Beetlejuice” (1988

Screenplay by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren, story by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

The Theology of Cinema: Temptation

“By extracting the notion of temptation from its conventional religious trappings, we open it up for all sorts of uses in our storytelling…

Great Scene: “Shakespeare In Love”

A revelation scene from the Academy Award winning screenplay and movie Shakespeare In Love (1998), written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard.

Video: How Professional Screenwriters Outline

A compilation of outlining approaches featuring screenwriters and filmmakers including Vince Gilligan, Quentin Tarantino, Alex Garland…

Page One: “Bill & Ted Face the Music” (2020)

Screenplay by Chris Matheson & Ed Solomon, based on characters created by Chris Matheson & Ed Solomon

“Get the damn thing done!”

The one unalterable truth about writing a first draft.

How To Read A Screenplay (Part 6): Themes

There are multiple layers to any story. The more you dig, the deeper your understanding.

Spec Script Deal: “Ultra”

TriStar acquires thriller spec script “Ultra” written by Colin Bannon. Via Deadline:

Video: 20 Screenwriting Tips from Quentin Tarantino

Advice from the creator of Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds, and more notable films.

Page One: “Before Midnight” (2013)

Screenplay by Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy & Ethan Hawke, characters by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan

5 Keys to the Screenwriting Craft

Think Concepts. Watch Movies. Read Scripts. Write Pages. Live Life.

Facing the odds

How to sustain creativity in the face of considerable odds against success.

How To Read A Screenplay (Part 5): Metamorphosis

There are multiple layers to any story. The more you dig, the deeper your understanding.

Writing and the Creative Life: What are you afraid of?

The single greatest inhibitor to creativity is fear. Do you recognize any of these voices?

Page One: “Beasts of the Southern Wild” (2012)

Screenplay by Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin