Go Into The Story

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep

“Once I have a solid structure in place, I can go to pages and put all my focus on the emotional arcs of the story.”

The Theology of Cinema: Congregation

In giving themselves over to a larger cause, the individuals forge themselves together as a congregation.

The Low-Down on High Concept

A high concept screenplay must have a clean, simple, and basic idea.

Page One: “Scarface” (1983)

Screenplay by Oliver Stone

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 6)

“Structure is so important in visual storytelling, and your structure lives or dies by your outline.”

Action Writing in a Screenplay

“More and more, we see an embrace of action writing where the writer in effect directs the action through lines and paragraphs.”

Video: Robert Altman, Peter Bogdanovich, Mel Brooks, and Frank Capra

A 1972 appearance on The Dick Cavett Show.

Page One: “Say Anything” (1989)

Written by Cameron Crowe

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 5)

“Usually I’ll start with a one page synopsis, just the basic beats of the story. Then I go to note cards, and then I go to a full outline.”

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything You Wanted to Know About Specs

Part 13: Targeting Specific Buyers

Writing and the Creative Life: The Joy of Running… Creatively Speaking

“Does some creative block have you feeling stuck? Go for a run. Are you deliberating between one of two potentially life-altering…

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”

Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, and story as psychological journey.

Page One: “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)

Written by Robert Rodat

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 4)

“I get a general idea of what the beginning, the middle and the end will be. Then I want to plow through the first draft as quickly as…

Reader Question: How to raise the stakes in the plot?

One suggestion: Focus on and elevate the Protagonist’s psychological stakes.

Writing Monologues

Don’t do it… unless your character mandates you do it. Then if you do it… write the ever-loving hell out of it.

Crafting an Effective Series of Shots / Montage

The subject came up recently. Here are two clips from the movie Chocolat. They’re both great and provide some good takeaways for…

Page One: “Saving Mr. Banks” (2013)

Written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 3)

“I’ve found that I’m a terrible outliner. Whenever I outline a story, it invariably changes while I’m writing the script. That’s just the…

Reader Question: Advice for someone wanting to give writing a full-time shot?

First and foremost, you have to want it. I mean really want it. The competition is fierce. Think of it this way: Any time you aren’t…

The Importance of a Strong Story Concept

“It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of a story idea to the eventual success of a spec script.”

Script To Screen: “Up”

From the 2009 Pixar movie Up, screenplay by Bob Peterson and Pete Docter, story by Peter Docter and Bob Peterson & Thomas McCarthy, the…

Page One: “Rushmore” (1998)

Written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 2)

“You have to have a grasp on the characters because the characters will create the plot.”

The Importance of Persistence in a Writer’s Life

“PERSIST on telling your story. PERSIST on reaching your audience. PERSIST on staying true to your vision.”