Go Into The Story

Page One: “The Prestige” (2006)

Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, novel by Christopher Priest

Character Introductions: Part 1

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

Trimming Tricks of the Trade: Lose the Orphans

One way to cut pages while not messing with the integrity of the story.

The Coen Brothers, Storytelling, and Fate

A poem by Ethan Coen reveals a key clue to the brothers’ story sensibilities.

On Writing

“Part of the storytelling ability is simply the anticipation of boredom and the introduction of a sudden surprise. To be a good storyteller…

Page One: “Moon” (2009)

Screenplay by Nathan Parker, story by Duncan Jones

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

How Judd Apatow Wrote a Movie Using Email

He emailed himself notes which became the foundation for the movie Knocked Up.

What is the point of the scene?

Begin the scene-writing process by asking this fundamental question.

Video: David Lynch on Where Ideas Come From

Story wisdom from the writer-director of such notable movies as Blue Velvet, Elephant Man, Twin Peaks, and Mulholland Dr.

Page One: “Finding Nemo” (2003)

Screenplay by Andrew Stanton & Bob Peterson & David Reynolds, original story by Andrew Stanton

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.

Pixar and Visual Storytelling

A tiny bit of business in the movie Up reminds us that movies are primarily a visual medium.

Character Type: Loner

“The thing is, we’ve all experienced loneliness and almost all of us are, by our human nature, social creatures. So when we happen upon a…

Interview (Video): Gillian Flynn

From Season 11 of the PBS series “On Story”.

Page One: “The Nice Guys” (2016)

Written by Shane Black, Anthony Bagarozzi

Story and the Question of Self-Identity

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

The Narrative Imperative of the Hero’s Journey

“The adventure they are ready for is the adventure they get.”

Aristotle and Three Act Structure

“A whole [story] is what has a beginning and middle and end.”

Writing and the Creative Life: Mind Wandering

“What no [spouse] of a writer can ever understand is that a writer is working when he’s staring out of the window.”

Page One: “Toy Story” (1995)

Screenplay by Joss Whedon and Andrew Stanton and Joel Cohen & Alec Sokolow, original story by John Lasseter & Pete Docter & Andrew Stanton…

Learn the craft

Being a screenwriter is much more than just writing a script.

The Power of Death in Stories

There is no more emotionally compelling narrative dynamic than death.

Script To Screen: “10 Things I Hate About You”

Kat reads a poem she wrote… a poem with a LOT of subtext!

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

Part 8: Attaching talent.