Go Into The Story

On Writing

“I can count on one hand, or possibly one elbow, the number of good writing ideas I’ve had while straining at the keyboard. When you find…

Page One: “The Little Things” (2021)

Written by John Lee Hancock

Story Summaries: From Loglines to Beat Sheets

Learn six different types of story summaries and how to use them to develop your scripted projects. My one-week online class starts Monday…

Screenwriting 101: Richard Curtis

“I tend to do projects I’ve had in mind for two years, so they’re slowly boiling on the stove like stock. And by slowing yourself down, you…

Scene Description Spotlight: “Withnail and I”

This Great Scene was from one of my favorite comedies Withnail and I (1987). Unfortunately, I only had a transcript of the scene to post…

Page One: “Live Free or Die Hard” (2007)

Screenplay by Mark Bomback, story by Mark Bomback and David Marconi, original character by Roderick Thorp, article by John Carlin

Page One: “Lion” (2016)

Screenplay by Luke Davies, based on a book by Saroo Brierley

On Writing

It has often been said there’s so much to be read, you never can cram all those words in your head.

Page One: “The Lincoln Lawyer” (2011)

Screenplay by John Romano, novel by Michael Connelly

Screenwriting 101: Destin Daniel Cretton

“I do a lot of writing in my head for a while and then I start outlining and just throwing ideas down on the notes in my iPhone or notes in…

Page One: “Like Father Like Son” (1987)

Screenplay by Lorne Cameron and Steve Bloom, story by Lorne Cameron

On Writing

“Writing is like driving in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”

Page One: “The Lifeguard” (2013)

Written by Liz W. Garcia

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 25

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

Screenwriting 101: Destin Daniel Cretton

“I do a lot of writing in my head for a while and then I start outlining and just throwing ideas down on the notes in my iPhone or notes in…

Scene Description Spotlight: “Wall-E”

I have discussed the writing style of the Pixar film Wall-E before here. On the subject of scene description, here’s a money quote from…

Page One: “Lights Out” (2016)

Screenplay by Eric Heisserer, based on the short film by David F. Sandberg

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 24

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

Go Into The Story Interview: Travis Braun

My interview with the 2024 Black List writer for his script One Night Only.

On Writing

“Rembrandt and Shakespeare, Tolstoy and Gauguin, possessed, I believe, powerful hearts, not powerful wills. They loved the range of…

Page One: “Leviathan” (1989)

Screenplay by David Webb Peoples and Jeb Stuart, story by David Webb Peoples

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 23

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

Interview (Part 3): Travis Braun

My interview with the 2024 Black List writer for his script One Night Only.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Up”

Pixar filmmakers are masters at setups and payoffs as in the script for Up.

Page One: “Letters from Iwo Jima” (2006)

Screenplay by Iris Yamashita, story by Iris Yamashita & Paul Haggis, based on a book by Tadamichi Kuribayashi