Go Into The Story

Update: 2020–2021 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 1 New Script, 25 Total

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

Script Analysis: “I’m Your Woman” — Part 6: Takeaways

Read the script for this gripping crime drama featuring a head-turning performance by ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ star Rachel Brosnahan.

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Snacks

It’s like maybe fifteen years ago and I’m reading an interview with noted playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon. And in this interview…

Page One: ‘The Maltese Falcon’ (1941)

Screen play by John Huston, based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett

I'd like to cite some sides of dialogue. Here's how the movie begins, Jean in V.O.:

Jean (V.O.): Eddie and Jean met and fell in love. Eddie and Jean got married and bought a house. Eddie and Jean were gonna have a kid but…

Screenwriting Mantra: Minimum Words, Maximum Impact

The origin and importance of one of the best screenwriting mantras… ever!

Script Analysis: “I’m Your Woman” — Part 5: Dialogue

Read the script for this gripping crime drama featuring a head-turning performance by ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ star Rachel Brosnahan.

Writing and the Creative Life: A Playlist to Calm the Mind

A therapist suggests some music to reduce anxiety… and spur creativity.

Page One: ‘Full Metal Jacket’ (1987)

Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick & Michael Herr & Gustav Hasford, based on the novel by Gustav Hasford

UAT, you’ve no doubt heard of the Sympathetic Protagonist.

No matter how you present a Protagonist, this dynamic of audience identification is critical. Seeing as the Protagonist is primary conduit…

Kathryn, this is a good question and it's helpful to remember that the primary function of a…

-- White Mike's minions: While not White Mike himself, there are thugs who show up from time to time, acting as a threat to Jean and her…

Great analysis, Laura.

This is an empowerment story, but your take really nails it specificity, associated with an era (70s) and the rise of the feminist…

Update: 2020–2021 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 1 New Script, 24 Total

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

Script Analysis: “I’m Your Woman” — Part 4: Themes

Read the script for this gripping crime drama featuring a head-turning performance by ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ star Rachel Brosnahan.

The Business of Screenwriting: When you don’t get the gig

We are seated in the expansive office of a top Hollywood director and we are having a great time. I mean a really great time. We talk about…

Page One, ‘Fargo’ (1996)

Written by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Here is the list of significant characters in the movie with my take on their respective archetype…

Jean - Protagonist

Update: 2020–2021 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 1 New Script, 23 Total

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

Script Analysis: “I’m Your Woman” — Part 3: Character

Read the script for this gripping crime drama featuring a head-turning performance by ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ star Rachel Brosnahan.

Great Scene: “There Will Be Blood”

The last scene of There Will Be Blood is one of the most gut-wrenching finales in recent film history. Written and directed by Paul Thomas…

Page One: ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)

Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman, story by Charlie Kaufman & Michel Gondry & Pierre Bismuth

Laura, thanks for hitting the high points of the story's plotine.

It occurs to me: Is there a scene in which we do *NOT* see Jean? I would not be surprised if her character has a part in every scene. That…

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Read your dialogue aloud

This is truly one of the easiest things you can do to improve your dialogue writing: When you finish a draft of your script, read aloud…

Script Analysis: “I’m Your Woman” — Part 2: Plot

Read the script for this gripping crime drama featuring a head-turning performance by ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ star Rachel Brosnahan.

Screenwriting 101: Paul Thomas Anderson

“If I’ve ever had a theme in mind, usually that’s the worst. You feel yourself writing and there’s nothing worse than that, chasing after…