Go Into The Story

Character = Function

Learn all about five primary character archetypes: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Trickster.

020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 28

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

On Writing

“One of the vital things for a writer who’s writing a book, which is a lengthy project and is going to take about a year, is how to keep…

Page One: ‘Being John Malkovich’ (1999)

written by Charlie Kaufman

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 27

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Great Scene: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

Many of the best movie scenes are payoffs to plot elements that have been set up earlier in the story. Often the set-up and payoff…

Page One: ‘Basic Instinct’ (1992)

Written by Joe Eszterhas

60 Second Screenwriter: Let’s talk story structure

A new video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 26

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview: Christopher McQuarrie

A two-hour master class with the Academy Award winning screenwriter, director, and producer.

Page One: ‘Bad Santa’ (2003)

Written by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Writing and the Creative Life: Possibility Thinking, Practicality Thinking

The singular importance of a story idea.

Writing and the Creative Life: Possibility Thinking, Practicality Thinking

The singular importance of a story idea.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 25

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Reader Question: Could you explain how writing credits work?

A deep dive into the mysteries of screenwriting credits.

Page One: ‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Written by Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 24

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

60 Second Screenwriter: What are some tips on rewriting a script?

A new video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in sixty seconds.

The Business of Screenwriting: The Phone Call

“They want your script.”

Page One: ‘Baby Driver’ (2017)

Written by Edgar Wright

Jerry , when we talk about genres, we need to understand they are fluid. Stories are organic.

Personally, I don't think of Adventure as a genre, at least insofar as the Hollywood development community is concerned. Action Adventure…

Advice from a Professional Script Reader

“An experienced pro reader always knows a ‘bad’ script within the first 10 pages, usually within the first 3, and often on the first page.”

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 23

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Great Scene: “The Big Lebowski”

“Donny was a good bowler, and a good man. He was one of us.”

Page One: ‘The Babadook’ (2014)

Written by Jennifer Kent