Go Into The Story

Page One: ‘Lost in Translation’ (2003)

Written by Sofia Coppola

Sundays with Ray Bradbury

“I can imagine all kinds of worlds and places, but I cannot imagine a world without Bradbury.” — Neil Gaiman

The Theology of Cinema: Annunciation

What the Angel’s visit to Mary can teach us about the Call to Adventure.

Page One: ‘The Lost Boys’ (1987)

Screenplay by Jan Fischer & James Jeremias and Jeffrey Boam, story by Jan Fischer & James Jeremias

Great Scene: “No Country For Old Men”

“You need to call it. I can’t call it for you. It wouldn’t be fair. It wouldn’t even be right.”

TEDx Talk: Pete Docter

The Pixar writer-director talks storytelling and what the movie Up is really about.

Page One: ‘Looper’ (2012)

Written by Rian Johnson

Learn the Craft

Being a screenwriter is much more than just writing a script.

Writing and the Creative Life: Mind Wandering

“What no [spouse] of a writer can ever understand is that a writer is working when he’s staring out of the window.”

Page One: ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006)

Written by Michael Arndt

Go Into The Story Interview: Javier Grillo-Marxuach

An in-depth conversation with the television writer and producer about story structure, narrative flow, and how a great script leads to an…

Spec Script Deal: Untitled Horror Project

New Line Cinema acquires an untitled horror spec script written by Joshua Rollins. Via Deadline:

Celebrate Your Victories

Based on my experiences as a screenwriter in Hollywood, there are many things I can advise you to do that are not particularly enjoyable…

Page One: ‘Lethal Weapon’ (1987)

Written by Shane Black

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: “Don’t Finish That Scene!”

Let’s say you’re in the middle of writing a script — and it’s a slog. You’re finding it really tough to drag your ass onto the chair and…

Screenwriting 101: Michael H. Weber

“We don’t have a set format for the outline. It’s not as if the outline is the same every time. It’s just that it’s a document for us…

Page One: ‘Legally Blonde’ (2001)

Screenplay by Karen McCullah & Kirsten Smith, novel by Amanda Brown

Kinshuk, thanks for the suggestion.

One thing you can do on your own: Read a movie script while watching the movie. Use your *own* imagination to reflect on why the filmmakers…

Screenwriting as Scene-Writing

My unique 1-week online course begins Monday, November 16th.

Short Film: “Seeds of the Mission”

The backstory on a wonderful, inspiring animated movie which speaks to our contentious times.

Page One: ‘The Last Boy Scout’ (1991)

Screenplay by Shane Black, story by Shane Black & Greg Hicks

60 Second Screenwriter: How to come up with story ideas?

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

On Writing

“It is a silver morning like any other. I am at my desk. Then the phone rings, or someone raps at the door. I am deep in the machinery of…

Page One: ‘La La Land’ (2016)

Written by Damien Chazelle

Sundays with Ray Bradbury

“I can imagine all kinds of worlds and places, but I cannot imagine a world without Bradbury.” — Neil Gaiman