Go Into The Story

On Writing

“What matters is that you do good work. What matters is that you produce things that are true and will stand. What matters is that the…

Daily Dialogue — June 15, 2020

“Rock go no reason. Rock got no reason.”

Reader Question: How to write period-authentic dialogue?

The three keys to writing dialogue which sounds like it is authentic to a specific time period: Research, Character Development…

Great Scene: “Up”

Carl gets the house to the top of Paradise Falls, but it’s a Pyrrhic victory.

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “Knives Out”

The entire 6 part series delving into the hit crime comedy starring an all-star cast including Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis…

Interview (Video): David Mandel

From Season 10 of the PBS series “On Story”.

Daily Dialogue — June 14, 2020

Salim Abu Aziz: Do you know what this is? Harry: I know what this is… this is an espresso machine. No, no wait. It’s a snow cone maker.

Adam, I concur.

As I say: Begin with characters. End with characters. Find the story in between.

Screenwriting Meta View: Five Stages of Screenplay Structure

In writing a screenplay, we go into the story. That’s critical in order to connect with the characters and immerse ourselves in the story…

Script Analysis: “Knives Out” — Part 6: Takeaways

Read and analyze the script for the hit crime comedy starring an all-star cast including Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, and…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Guitar

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,412 consecutive days and counting.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Advice on Writing

A Behind the Curtain video featuring the writer-director whose movie credits include Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, There Will…

Daily Dialogue — June 13, 2020

MacGruber: All right, we got a nuclear warhead to… Holy shit!

Screenwriting Meta View: Life After FADE OUT

“In the end, the Hero is a transformed individual.”

Songwriters on Songwriting: PJ Harvey

“Nothing fascinates me more than putting words together, and seeing how a collection of words can produce quite a profound effect.”

Script Analysis: “Knives Out” — Part 5: Dialogue

Read and analyze the script for the hit crime comedy starring an all-star cast including Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, and…

Writing and the Creative Life: Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling (Part 1)

Something about your story, most particularly involving your Protagonist, must resonate with a reader. What that boils down to is creating…

Daily Dialogue — June 12, 2020

Susan Vargas: Mike, do you realize this is the very first time we’ve been together in my country? Mike: Do you realize I haven’t kiss you…

Screenwriting Meta View: Return

In order to return home, the Protagonist must endure a Final Struggle, one almost always tied to the resolution of Want and Need.

Songwriters On Songwriting: Bob Dylan

“Anyone who wants to be a songwriter should listen to as much folk music as they can, study the form and structure of stuff that has been…

Script Analysis: “Knives Out” — Part 4: Themes

Read and analyze the script for the hit crime comedy starring an all-star cast including Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, and…

The Business of Screenwriting: The screenwriter as problem-solver

Words of wisdom from legendary Hollywood producer Max Millimeter.

Daily Dialogue — June 11, 2020

“There’s too many locks. I can’t get it off. I’m sorry, okay. You understand? I’m sorry.”

Yes, Laura, there are numerous flashbacks which works for three reasons: (1) They are efficient in…

Per this last point, the thing I come away with from the script is how much Rian Johnson loves the whodunnit genre. He has so much fun with…

This is a Medium issue.

However, as I understand, if you click on links I provide in my Twitter feed each day, that is supposed to bypass the paywall…