Go Into The Story

The Business of Screenwriting: “I don’t have to smell it to sell it”

An object lesson in Agent Talk.

Page One: “The Terminator” (1984)

Written by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd, additional dialogue by William Wisher

2021 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 2

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 2

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

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 4: Character = Function

Every character in a screenplay has to be there for a reason. That is their narrative function, who they are and what they do tied to the…

Movie Story Type: Mistaken Identity

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

Page One: “Amadeus” (1984)

Screenplay by Peter Shaffer, based on his stage play

2021 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 1

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 1

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

Spec Script Deal: “48 Hours in Vegas”

Lionsgate acquires comedy drama spec script “48 Hours in Vegas” written by Jordan VanDina. Via Deadline:

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 3: Plot Emerges From Character

No matter what paradigm or theory you use to craft your screenplay’s plot, the single most important thing you can do is this: Start with…

Page One: “The Rider” (2017)

Written by Chloé Zhao

Test Your Story Concept

5 questions to ask about a story idea to assess its viability as a scripted project.

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 2: The Protagonist’s Arc

Transformation lies at the heart of the Hero’s Journey.

Spec Script Deal: “The Dryline”

Sony Pictures Entertainment acquires action thriller spec script “The Dryline” written by David Rothley. Via Deadline:

Screenwriting 101: Laura Colella

“I just want to keep making films that I’m really passionate about. That usually means things that aren’t formulaic. I try to do things…

Screenwriting 101: David Turpin

“I guess what I would say about screenwriting, in general, is that you can get an awful lot of guidance and an awful lot of help on how to…

Page One: “The Revenant” (2015)

Screenplay by Mark L. Smith and Alejandro G. Iñárritu, based in part on the novel by Michael Punke

“How 50 Famous Female Characters Were Described In Their Screenplays”

A journey through many scripted female character introductions, both fascinating… and educational.

Screenwriting Back to Basics, Day 1: Writing Scenes

With every scene, you should ask yourself this question: What is the scene’s Beginning, Middle, and End?

On Writing

“I never correct anything and I never go back to what I have written, except to the foot of the last page to see where I have got to. If…

Page One: “The Queen” (2006)

Written by Peter Morgan

When you sell written content to a movie studio, they become the “author.”

Note: This from someone who is *not* a lawyer. Best to direct the question to someone who is before making your own deals.

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

12 Free Go Into The Story eBooks

Nearly 1,000 pages on the craft and business of screenwriting.