Go Into The Story

Script Analysis: ‘Antebellum’ — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Read the script for this horror mystery from the producer of ‘Get Out.’

On Writing

“At every stage of writing a book, there is a sense of If only … If only I could find the time to write and if only I could figure out the…

Page One: ‘Body Heat’ (1981)

Written by Lawrence Kasdan

2020 Spec Script Market Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of all the reported spec script deals in 2020.

Go Into The Story Interview: Vanar Jaddou

My interview with the 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Spec Script Deal: “Mad Rush”

Producer Jorge Garcia Castro (Altered.LA) optioned comedy heist spec script “Mad Rush” written by Manfred Lopez. Details from Lopez:

Page One: ‘The Blues Brothers’ (1980)

Written Dan Aykroyd, John Landis

2020 Spec Script Deals Analysis: First-Timers

We continue our week-long analysis of spec script deals in 2020. Today: Writers who broke in by selling a spec script.

Interview (Part 6): Vanar Jaddou

My interview with the 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Interview (Video): Nora Ephron

A one-hour conversation with the late writer-director.

Page One: ‘Blue Velvet’ (1986)

Written by David Lynch

Spec Script Deals Analysis 2020: Top Sales

Continuing our week long analysis of spec script deals from 2019, today we look at the biggest payoffs (at least as reported by various…

Interview (Part 5): Vanar Jaddou

My interview with the 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

The Incurable Disease of Writing

“In psychological terms, it seems that drive is more important than talent in producing creative work.”

Page One: ‘Billy Elliot’ (2000)

Written by Lee Hall

2020 Spec Script Deals Analysis: Agents & Managers

We continue our week-long analysis of spec script deals in 2020. Today: Agents and Managers.

Interview (Part 4): Vanar Jaddou

My interview with the 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

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.

Page One: ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ (1989)

Written by Chris Matheson, Ed Solomon

2020 Spec Script Sales Analysis: Buyers

Yesterday, we looked at 2020 spec script deals by genre. Today, we break down the numbers per major studios, mini-majors, subsidiaries…

Interview (Part 3): Vanar Jaddou

My interview with the 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Update: 2020–2021 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 4 New Scripts, 39 Total

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Page One: ‘Big’ (1988)

Written by Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg

2020 Spec Script Deals Analysis: Genres

By my count, Hollywood studios, production companies, and financiers acquired 25 spec scripts in 2020. During this week, I’ll be breaking…

Interview (Part 2): Vanar Jaddou

My interview with the 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.