Go Into The Story

The Writer as Psychologist

“It is our responsibility to understand each of characters to the core of their emotional, spiritual, and psychological being.”

Black List writers on the craft: Theme (Part 3)

“I don’t necessarily start with theme, but by the time I’m done — I always have one. And often, writing a script shows me what my theme is…

Hollywood and the ‘Similar But Different’ Business Model

The saga of K-9 and Turner & Hooch provides an object lesson into the mindset of movie development executives.

Great Scene: “Moonrise Kingdom”

My favorite movie sequence of 2012 is this one from Moonrise Kingdom, written by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola.

Page One: “Hard Times” (1975)

Screenplay by Walter Hill, Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell

Narrative Imperative: The Protagonist’s Destiny

Reflections by Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell invert the writing process.

Black List writers on the craft: Theme (Part 2)

“I’m personally a big fan of knowing what your theme is before starting. I think they can arise as you tell the story, but writing within…

The Disunity State of Clarice Starling

How the opening of The Silence of the Lambs establishes the Protagonist’s psychological starting point for her transformation-journey.

Screenwriting 101: Michael Arndt

“Good writing is deceptive in that it hides its own artifice — it makes it seem easy.”

Page One: “Short Term 12” (2013)

Written by Destin Daniel Cretton

Black List writers on the craft: Theme (Part 1)

“Theme is the nucleus for every screenplay. Each scene should be an exploration of the thematic undercurrent.”

Great Scene: “Michael Clayton”

Clayton confronts Crowder, then rides alone with his thoughts.

On Writing

“My prescription for writer’s block is to face the fact that there is no such thing. It’s an invented condition, a literary version of the…

Page One: “Shaun of the Dead” (2004)

Written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

The Psychological Subtext of the Call To Adventure

At the beginning of the story, the Protagonist is just making do. Then something happens which jumbles their life… and their journey…

The Theology of Cinema: Conversion

A character transforming from their Old Self into a New Self is a narrative arc we see time and time again, a kind of “conversion”…

The Incurable Disease of Writing

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

Page One: “The Shape of Water” (2017)

Screenplay by Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor

“Beginning. Middle. End.”

Consider the universality of narrative in three movements.

Black List writers on the craft: Characters

“As I pull the story together, the characters start coming to life and each informs the other.”

Great Scene: “Kramer vs. Kramer”

Two scenes making french toast provide signposts to measure the nature of a father-son relationship.

Interview (Video): Steven Spielberg

An hour-long conversation from 1981.

Page One: “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” (1989)

Written by Steven Soderbergh

The Nemesis as the Protagonist’s ‘Shadow’

Want drama? Ask your Protagonist: What do you fear the most? Then put them in a story where they have to confront that fear: Their Nemesis.