Go Into The Story

Interview (Video): Gina Prince-Bythewood

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

Page One: “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994)

Written by Richard Curtis

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 6

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…

Scene-Writing Workshop

I’m reprising my one-week Scene-Writing Workshop which starts next Monday, April 12.

Screenwriting 101: Gina Prince-Bythewood

“I absolutely take pride in creating characters. It’s so much a part of the writing process. For me, once I have the idea of what I want…

Page One: “Forrest Gump” (1994)

Screenplay by Eric Roth, novel by Winston Groom

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 5

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 Formatting Primers

An amazing resource for TV writers provided by the Writers Guild Foundation.

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Star-Casting

The Variety report of the spec script sale yesterday — “Sunny and 68” — had this bit of business:

On Writing

“Usually I work (to an extent that’s hard to communicate adequately) from instinct. A certain thing will just…seem good. Or won’t suck as…

Page One: “Flight” (2012)

Written by John Gatins

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “Minari”

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

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 4

This is the 11th 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…

Page One: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

Written by John Hughes.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 3

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: “Every House is Haunted”

Netflix acquires horror drama spec script “Every House is Haunted” written by Jason Pagan & Andrew Deutschman. Via Deadline:

Script Analysis: “Minari” — Part 6: Takeaways

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

Page One: “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)

Screenplay by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, book by John Green

I zeroed in on this side from Soon-ja

"Minari is truly the best. It grows anywhere, like weeds. So anyone can pick and eat it. Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy…

One theme I take away from "Minari" is strength, specifically the perseverance people demonstrate…

We see this theme of strength played out with David's character. When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. Due…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 2

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: “Minari” — Part 5: Dialogue

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

Writing and the Creative Life: Why Creative People May Feel More Anxiety

I’m even nervous posting this…

Page One: “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999)

Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick and Frederic Raphael