Go Into The Story

Page One: “Tangerine” (2015)

Written by Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 12

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

The Theology of Cinema: Guilt

“The danger of our guilt, both personal and collective, is less that we won’t take it to heart than that we’ll take it to heart overmuch…

Script To Screen: “Black Swan”

The dramatic climax of the 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan, screenplay by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz and John J. McLaughlin, story…

Page One: “Syriana” (2005)

Screenplay by Stephen Gaghan, based on a book by Robert Baer

Switch Protagonist = Story Concept

How many different ways can The Wizard of Oz be told?

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 11

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Great Scene: “Apocalypse Now”

The introduction of Captain Willard alone in a Saigon hotel room.

Video: Wes Anderson interviews Robert Evans

Yes, this actually happened in 2002. You can watch it here.

Page One: “The Sweet Hereafter” (1997)

Screenplay by Atom Egoyan, novel by Russell Banks

2021 Scene-Writing Challenge

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 10

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Reader Question: Is there a rule as to how many “cuss words” can be used in a script?

Delving into the sometimes mysterious world of the MPAA ratings system.

Writing and the Creative Life: Do It Because You Love It

Back in 2012, a longtime reader of the blog forwarded me some numbers in a post I titled: Facing the Odds. I included his observations in…

Page One: “The Secret Life of Pets” (2016)

Written by Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch

2021 Scene-Writing Challenge

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 9

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

10 Screenwriting Skills and Traits You Need

Develop your expertise in 10 areas to maximize your screenwriting potential.

The Business of Screenwriting: The Crazed Life of a Studio Executive

There is nothing laid-back about movie execs who live life in the fast lane and this impacts you — the writer.

Page One: “The Crying Game” (1992)

Written by Neil Jordan

2021 Scene-Writing Challenge

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 8

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity

Script To Screen: “American Beauty”

One of the most memorable scenes from the 1999 movie American Beauty, written by Alan Ball, a plastic bag dancing in the wind.

Songwriters on Songwriting: David Byrne

“I think you have to wait for the inspiration, but unless you’re there, waiting at the bus stop… if you’re doing other things all day, a…