Go Into The Story

I've been tracking spec script deals since the lat 80s and here on my blog since 2008.

How to access spec scripts? Not easy, unless you know someone who works in Hollywood development. You can always try…

Spec Script Deal: “Arcana”

Lionsgate acquires drama fantasy spec script written by Michael Finch and Alex Litvak. Via Deadline:

2020 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge!

30 days. Fade In. Fade Out. Write an entire zero draft.

On Writing

“There’s an enormous difference between being a story writer and being a regular person. As a person, it’s your duty to stay on a straight…

On Writing

“The secret of the creative life is how to feel at ease with your own embarrassment. We are all in the dirty laundry business and we’re…

Spec Script Deal: “Back Home”

Artists Film Group acquires science fiction thriller spec script “Back Home” written by Anne Vithayathil. Via Deadline:

On Writing

“Fuck research! I say this, knowing that my works are thought to be well-researched and I am proud of the research in them. But in…

Break your story in prep

My last Prep: From Concept to Outline workshop of 2020 begins August 10.

On Writing

“Becoming a writer is not a ‘career decision’ like becoming a doctor or a policeman. You don’t choose it so much as get chosen, and once…

Screenwriting 101: Rob Meyer

“Even in an indie film I’d say it’s actually more important to have a logline that 70 to 90 percent of people are going to perk up, and…

On Writing

“You go into a book and you’re in the dark, really. You go in with a certain fear and trembling. You know one thing. You know you will not…

Spec Script Deal: “Role Play”

StudioCanal acquires thriller spec script “Role Play” written by Seth Owen. Via Deadline:

Screenwriting 101: Christopher Nolan

“Writing, for me, is a combination of objective and subjective approach. You take an objective approach at times to get you through things…

On Writing

“I strongly believe that writing is an act of courage. It’s almost an act of physical courage. You get up and you have this great idea…

Spec Script Deal: “Fresh”

Legendary Pictures acquires social thriller “Fresh” written by Lauryn Kahn. Via Deadline:

Spec Script Deal: “Sabine”

Screen Gems acquires thriller spec script “Sabine” written by Gregg Hurwitz and Philip Eisner. Via Deadline:

No, that video clip is gone. Here's a different one with Mike:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBv37KNvsWw&t=8s

Thanks, everyone.

Again, thanks for all the kind thoughts!

On Writing

“Please don’t entertain for a moment the utterly mistaken idea that there is no drudgery in writing. There is a great deal of drudgery in…

Go Into The Story — Interrupted

The consecutive blogging streak ends… and here’s why.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Titanic”

Before Avatar went on to gross $2.72B worldwide, writer-director James Cameron created another movie phenomenon called Titanic (1997) which…

Character Introductions: Part 6

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

Video: Master Class with David Lynch

An hour-long October 2013 session with the filmmaker whose movie credits include Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive.

Daily Dialogue — June 28, 2020

Paul has ninety-seven cents. The fare just went up at midnight to one dollar and fifty cents.

Movie Story Types: The [Blank] From Hell

This was a popular story conceit back in the 80s and 90s.