Go Into The Story

Deep Work vs. Shallow Work

As writers, we need to protect time for the former from the encroachment of the latter. Here are four strategies to do precisely that.

“You just muscle it out”

Advice on writing the first draft from writer-director Darren Aronofsky.

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

Part 12: Serendipity.

Page One: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)

Screenplay by Stephen Chbosky, based on his novel

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

“I devour information like crazy, and I’m always running across interesting ideas. Being open and being curious brings so many great ideas…

Damien Chazelle’s Guide to Beginnings and Endings

“You’ve got to have a good beginning, a good ending, and no shitty scenes in between.”

“It Starts On the Page”

A Deadline Hollywood series featuring over three dozen scripts from multiple current TV series.

Spec Script Deal: “The Debriefing”

Jackson Pictures and Stampede Ventures acquire psychological spy thriller spec script “The Debriefing” written by Ken Nolan. Via Deadline:

Page One: “Parenthood” (1989)

Screenplay by Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel, story by Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel & Ron Howard

Nikhil, my advice is to start here:

https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/test-your-story-concept-d6d7e0159b9b

Black List writers on the craft: Story Concepts (Part 1)

“It hits me. I don’t go looking for them, they come looking for me.”

Story and the Question of Self-Identity

Every story inevitably raises this question about the Protagonist: “Who am I?”

Great Scene: “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back”

Luke confronts a phantasm of Darth Vader… and his own Shadow.

Screenwriting 101: John Logan

“Every morning, I get up and write great scenes for actors which is my only goal. My goal is not to explore great themes. My goal is not to…

Page One: “Parasite” (2019)

Screenplay by Bong Joon Ho and Jin-won Han, story by Bong Joon Ho

Go Into The Story Interview: T.J. Newman

My exclusive in-depth conversation with the author of her debut novel Falling. The book sold to Simon and Schuster in a seven-figure two…

Werner Herzog calls three-act structure “brainless.” Is it?

The famous writer-director is teaching an online filmmaking class and his comments about three-act structure are noteworthy.

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

Wisdom on creativity from Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung.

On Writing

“I think ‘writer’s block’ is a natural part of the creative process for almost all writers. There are times when one is bursting with ideas…

Page One: “Out of Africa” (1985)

Screenplay by Kurt Luedtke

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

The Theology of Cinema: Baptism

Plunged beneath the water as the trial. Rising up reborn as a New Person.

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “The White Tiger”

The entire 6-part series on the acclaimed Oscar-nominated movie screenplay.

Great Scene: “Broadcast News”

Aaron’s dream come true of being a news anchorman is a flop… sweat.

Page One: “Ordinary People” (1980)

Screenplay by Alvin Sargent, novel by Judith Guest