Go Into The Story

Spec Script Deal: “Bring Me Back”

Legendary Pictures acquires romance spec script “Bring Me Back” written by Crosby Selander. Via Deadline:

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 22

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

Screenwriting 101: Will Beall

“The process is that I force myself to sit down and write and hope it doesn’t turn out shitty. Then if it turns out shitty, I change it.”

Page One: ‘Avatar’ (2009)

Written by James Cameron

Barbara, thanks for your comments. Do you mind if I excerpt this as part of a blog article:

I have written about the importance of script readers before, but it’s always a good reminder about how they serve as Hollywood’s threshold…

The Importance of Character Names

A well-chosen character name can reflect their personality.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 21

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

On Writing

“The best advice I know to give is to learn to put up with boredom and frustration. You have to sit through the dull times when nothing’s…

Page One: ‘As Good as It Gets’ (1997)

Screenplay by Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks, story by Mark Andrus

300+ Story Ideas

Having troubles finding solid story concepts? Here are 330 story ideas drawn from news items over an 11 year period… free for the taking.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 20

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

Great Scene: “This is Spinal Tap”

“These go to 11.”

Page One: ‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

Written by John Milius and Francis Ford Coppola

Honestly, I think with streaming services and the continued internationalization of the film and TV…

That said, it is interesting how movies evolved from single-reel films to double-reel films and so on to eventually land on two hours as…

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 19

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

Reader Question: Is it useful to read a bad script to see what not to do?

Can we learn something from slogging through bad screenplays?

Interview: Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson

A conversation with the screenwriters of Bill and Ted Face the Music.

Page One: ‘Almost Famous’ (2000)

Written by Cameron Crowe

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 18

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

Reader Question: Is a character’s transformation dictated by events or reactions to them?

“Change is not just what goes on inside a character, nor just what happens in the plot. It’s both. They are inextricably linked.”

The Business of Screenwriting: The Power of “No”

In the event you break into the business as a screenwriter, you need to be prepared to say this word: “No.”

Page One: ‘Aliens’ (1986)

Screenplay byJames Cameron, story by James Cameron and David Giler & Walter Hill, based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald…

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 17

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

Reader Question: What to do with a 70 page screenplay?

Is the story ‘done’ or can it be mined for additional content?

The Business of Screenwriting: The Path of Least Resistance

There is no right way to write. No correct way to approach your career as a writer. No single secret to success. You can take some of the…