Go Into The Story

Page One: “Mandy” (2018)

Written by Panos Cosmatos and Aaron Stewart-Ahn and Cheddar Goblin, story by Panos Cosmatos

How much of the “iceberg” do we reveal?

My response to a reader question.

Go Into The Story Interview: Eric Heisserer

My interview with one of Hollywood’s hottest screenwriters.

Great Scene: “Good Morning, Vietnam!”

It’s Adrian Cronauer’s first broadcast … and the thrill of watching Robin Williams’ improvisational skills.

Page One: “The Manchurian Candidate” (2004)

Screenplay by Daniel Pyne and Dean Georgaris, based on the 1962 screenplay by George Axelrod, adapted from the novel by Richard Condon

Erum, great question.

Second piece of advice: Tease the reader. Or per Billy Wilder: "Don't give them 2=2=4. Give them 2+2." Make the audience work to figure out…

The Iceberg Theory of Writing

How much character development is enough?

Go Into The Story Interview: Matt Altman & Dave Matalon

My conversation with the writing duo behind the 2024 Black List script Three Hitmen and a Baby.

12 Free ‘Go Into The Story’ eBooks

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

Page One: “The Man Who Invented Christmas” (2017)

Written by Susan Coyne, based on “The Man Who Invented Christmas” by Les Standiford, inspired by “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens

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?

Interview (Part 5): Matt Altman & Dave Matalon

My conversation with the writing duo behind the 2024 Black List script Three Hitmen and a Baby.

The Business of Screenwriting: Your first big check

It is March, 1987. I am here, the Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset Blvd. It’s 1PM. I am meeting one of my agents for lunch. For dessert: My first…

Page One: “Man on the Moon” (1999)

Written by Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski

Write what they’re buying or sell them your dream

There are many writing paths. Here are two of them.

Screenwriting 101: Scott Derrickson

“Reading a mediocre screenplay is like driving when you’re sleepy — every minute is work.”

Interview (Part 4): Matt Altman & Dave Matalon

My conversation with the writing duo behind the 2024 Black List script Three Hitmen and a Baby.

Page One: “Man on a Ledge” (2012)

Written by Pablo F. Fenjves

Garth, you've hit on one of the reasons I launched the daily Page One series 5 years ago: to drive…

In terms of what's the most important element of a first page: I'm tempted to say EVERYTHING because that's true in a way. But a more…

Screenwriting Tip: Is My Screenplay Big Enough to Be a Movie?

This is a fundamental question screenwriters must ask themselves at all stages of a screenplay’s development and writing. Why? Because it’s…

Interview (Part 3): Matt Altman & Dave Matalon

My conversation with the writing duo behind the 2024 Black List script Three Hitmen and a Baby.

On Writing

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Page One: “A Man Called Otto” (2022)

Screenplay by David Magee, based on the novel “En man som heter Ove” by Fredrik Backman and Hannes Holm

RR, ask and ye shall receive!

https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/go-into-the-story-script-reading-analysis-series-ced4b77fc285

Difference Between Scene Heading and Shot

What they are and when each should be used.