Go Into The Story

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 12

This is the 12th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Script Analysis: “Nomadland” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

A week-long analysis of this Oscar-nominated screenplay. Download. Read. Discuss.

On Writing

“Dreaming and writing are Adam and Eve of the same process. Long before one ever writes a story…one works a story. You have ideas; and…

Page One: “Friday the 13th” (1980)

written by Victor Miller

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 11

This is the 12th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Interview (Video): Akiva Goldsman

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

Page One: “The French Connection” (1971)

Screenplay by Ernest Tidyman, based on the book by Robin Moore

The Breath of Life

Memories of my first son’s birth… and my mother’s death.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 10

This is the 12th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Great Scene: “Double Indemnity”

“There’s a speed limit in this state, Mr. Neff. Forty-five miles an hour.”

Writing the First Draft

4 tips on how to get from FADE IN to FADE OUT in your feature length screenplay.

Page One: “Frankenweenie” (2012)

Screenplay by John August, Tim Burton (idea), Leonard Ripps (1984 screenplay)

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 9

This is the 12th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Spec Script Deal: “Meebo And Me”

Warner Bros. acquires family adventure comedy spec script “Meebo and Me” written by Matt Lieberman. Via Deadline:

Are you a “push” writer or a “pull” writer?

Do you do your best creative work when you’re ‘pushed’… or ‘pulled’?

Page One: “Frances Ha” (2012)

Written by Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig

Good question, Matt.

This is where the synthesis concern comes in. In The Godfather: Part I, Michael’s want is really his father’s desire to keep Michael out of…

Jenny, I just saw this, so apologies for getting back so late.

If you *do* have a series with multiple Protagonists, then treat each as such. But I’m willing to bet if you spent time with your Family of…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 8

This is the 12th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

The Business of Screenwriting: Selling Scripts and Shooting Scripts

There are two key stages in the life of a screenplay: There is the selling script and the shooting script.

Beginning. Middle. End.

Consider the universality of narrative in three movements.

Page One: “Foxcatcher” (2014)

Written by E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 7

This is the 12th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

The Business of Screenwriting: Do you know your stuff?

It’s one thing to write a script. It’s another thing to understand the craft.