Go Into The Story

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 16

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

So-Called Screenwriting Rule: Do not use ‘we see / we hear’

The narrative form we call a screenplay is an organic entity, changing radically over the years. As we have discussed, during the era of…

On Writing

“It’s that being open, not scratching for it, not digging for it, not constructing something, but being open to the situation and trusting…

Page One: “American Psycho” (2000)

Screenplay by Mary Harron, Guinevere Turner, novel by Bret Easton Ellis

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

The Theology of Cinema: Righteousness

“If we take this concept and consider it in a secular manner, we see it is a common theme in movies: whenever one or more characters does…

Spec Script Deal: “No Way in Hell”

One Community and Gunpowder & Sky option action thriller spec script written by Chase Millsap and Charley Dane. Via Deadline:

Superheroes: Genre or Medium?

A 90-minute roundtable with writers from several superhero film and television projects.

Page One: “Adventureland” (2009)

Written by Greg Mottola

Learn the Craft

Being a screenwriter is much more than just writing a script.

60 Second Screenwriter: How to come up with story ideas?

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

The Incurable Disease of Writing

“In psychological terms, it seems that drive is more important than talent in producing creative work.”

Interview (Video): Chloé Zhao

The writer-director of The Rider, Nomadland, and Eternals in conversation with Oscar-winning writer-director Barry Jenkins.

Page One: “Amélie” (2001)

Scenario Guillaume Laurant, Jean-Pierre Jeunet

I think it all depends upon the writer.

As I say, there is no right way to write. Every writer is different. Every story is different. But certainly, a screenwriter will benefit…

This is one of those issues which boils down to the path of least resistance ...

My view is if a song really contributes to the story, either in the context of the plot or thematically, use it. Don't let supposed…

Interview (Video): Chats from the Greenhills

A thirty-plus minute interview with me.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 15

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Make Words Your Friend

“Putting one right word after another” — that is so right. When you bust it all down, writing is about choosing words. A writer can choose…

Writing and the Creative Life: Structure and Freedom

Words of creative wisdom the great 20th century composer Igor Stravinsky.

Page One: “Aladdin” (1992)

Screenplay by Ron Clements & John Musker and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio

Find Your Writer’s Voice

I hear this a lot in conversations with writers, but mostly with managers, agents, and producers. They’re looking for writers who cover a…

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 14

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”

The ending sequence includes a most interesting sentence…

The Business of Screenwriting: Weather Vanes

“With all these smart folks around, why are there so many weather vanes?”