Go Into The Story

Interview (Video): Paul Schrader

A one-hour master class with the screenwriter of Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Last Temptation of Christ. Host: Scott Myers

Page One: “Little Women” (2019)

Written for the screen by Greta Gerwig, based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott

Consider these sides of dialogue:

King-Lu: I see something in this land I haven't seen before. Pretty much everywhere has been touched by now. But this is still new, more…

Go Into The Story Resource: So-Called Screenwriting ‘Rules’

A comprehensive series on the most significant of the supposed screenwriting ‘rules,’ hopefully to put things into proper perspective…

Script Analysis: “First Cow” — Part 5: Dialogue

A week-long analysis of the script for the lauded indie movie by writer-director Kelly Reichardt. Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday:

Screenwriting Meta View: Five Stages of Screenplay Structure

In writing a screenplay, we go into the story. That’s critical in order to connect with the characters and immerse ourselves in the story…

Writing and the Creative Life: Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling

Part 3: “Every storytelling exercise should begin by asking: Who is my audience and what is the message I want to share with them? Each…

Page One: “Avengers: Endgame” (2019)

Screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, based on the Marvel comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

As I've mentioned in previous posts, two themes which strike me: Friendship. Greed.

The friendship between Cookie and King-Lu is a genuine one. The first step is the trust Cookie has in this stranger he discovers, naked in…

Go Into The Story Resource: Script Reading & Analysis Series

Movie scripts analyzed to depth including Scene-By-Scene Breakdown, Plot, Characters, Themes, Dialogue.

Script Analysis: “First Cow” — Part 4: Themes

A week-long analysis of the script for the lauded indie movie by writer-director Kelly Reichardt. Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday:

Spec Script Deal: “Valor”

Amazon Studios acquires action-adventure spec script “Valor” written by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer. Via Deadline:

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

Part 5: Developing the Spec Script

Page One: “1917” (2019)

Written by Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns

First off, there really are only five characters of any import in the story: Cookie, King-Liu…

Who is the Protagonist? I'd have to say Cookie. The story is told through his perspective, he's the one who has the culinary skills which…

First Cow is a perfect example of my description of the type of movie I prefer: Simple plot.

The plot is a "slow burn," a term used in Hollywood to describe a story which takes its own sweet time getting to where it eventually wants…

Laura, that's a nifty bit of insight, comparing the movie to Jack and the Beanstalk because Jack…

However, I do think the Garden of Eden is still an apt reference. The many, MANY shots of Nature in the movie display its pristine beauty…

Script Analysis: “First Cow” — Part 3: Characters

A week-long analysis of the script for the lauded indie movie by writer-director Kelly Reichardt. Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday:

Great Scene: “Network”

“I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

Go Into The Story Resource: Screenwriting Tweetstorms

Twitter threads uploaded by professional screenwriters, TV writers, and producers on a wide variety of subjects.

Reader Question: How to approach writing a story with multiple main characters?

Exploring three keys to writing multilinear screenplays.

Page One: “Judas and the Black Messiah” (2021)

Screenplay by Will Berson & Shaka King, story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenneth Lucas & Keith Lucas

There simply isn't another filmmaker like Kelly Reichardt.

This simple story about two strangers, who become business partners and friends, is much more than that. At its core, it is a story about…

Go Into The Story Resource: Story Types

With movies, there are Genres. Cross Genres. Sub-Genres. Also Story Types.

Script Analysis: “First Cow” — Part 2: Plot

A week-long analysis of the script for the lauded indie movie by writer-director Kelly Reichardt. Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday: