Go Into The Story

Joe, I talked about this in yesterday's post, the distinction between "formula" and "structure."

Hence, my comment in today's post: Rather than starting with a pre-fixed idea of the plot per some sort of designed set of story beats, an…

Songwriters On Songwriting: Fiona Apple

I wrote my first song when I was 14 years old. Over the years, I’ve composed hundreds of songs. It was that interest — music — that led me…

An Argument Against Screenplay Formulas (Part 2): Formulas lead to formulaic writing

“If you go in with formula, you come out with formula. The whole thrill of being a writer is to do a prototype every time out.”

Script Analysis: “Midsommar” — Part 2: Plot

Read and analyze the script for the horror mystery which features a breakthrough performance by actress Florence Pugh.

Screenwriting 101: Liz W. Garcia

“Do not put all your eggs in one basket. A lot of people do this where they’ve got that one script. They keep rewriting it, and they keep…

Daily Dialogue — June 2, 2020

“Bravo! Author!”

I have not seen the movie yet, although it's high on my list.

Combined with Dani's psychological arc in dealing with (A) her sister and parents' death and (B) the failing nature of her relationship…

An Argument Against Screenplay Formulas (Part 1): They are selling you a lie

“Instead of thinking about Story as a sort of paint-by-numbers formula, we are best served by starting here: Characters.”

Songwriters on Songwriting: Mose Allison

“One of my formulas in life is ‘Ambivalence plus interdependence equals contrariety.’ All day long we’re being pulled in one way and…

Script Analysis: “Midsommar” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Read and analyze the script for the horror mystery which features a breakthrough performance by actress Florence Pugh.

On Writing

“A narrative is like a room on whose walls a number of false doors have been painted; while within the narrative, we have many apparent…

Daily Dialogue — June 1, 2020

Note: The only dialogue is the foreign language of the prison guards, the cries of fear from the prisoners… then their exclamations of…

Alexander Payne on appealing characters vs. sympathetic characters

“I hate when movie people say, ‘Your lead character has to be sympathetic,’ which for them means ‘likeable.’ I don’t give a shit about…

Great Scene: “Wonder Woman”

Diana single-handedly takes on the German Army in the breathtaking No Man’s Land scene from the movie Wonder Woman.

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “Honey Boy”

The entire 6 part series delving into the acclaimed drama starring Shia LaBeouf and Lucas Hedges.

Interview (Video): Megan Amram

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

Daily Dialogue — May 31, 2020

Sandy: You know, I doubt it’ll get this far, but if she turns out to be easier than I thought, there’s something you need to know. Reuben…

Carl Jung on the structure of dreams

Subconscious stories revealed in our sleep in four acts.

Script Analysis: “Honey Boy” — Part 6: Takeaways

Read and analyze the script for the acclaimed drama written and starring Shia LeBouef.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Shower

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,398 consecutive days and counting.

Spec Script Deal: “The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever”

Paramount Pictures acquires science fiction spec script “The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever” written by Daniel H. Wilson. Via Variety:

Daily Dialogue — May 30, 2020

Benjamin: Wayne! Listen, we need to have a talk about Vanderhoff. The fact is he’s the sponsor and you signed a contract guaranteeing him…

Great Scene: “Rocky”

How budget issues helped to create the memorable ice rink scene.

Go Into The Story Resource: Screenwriting Advice From The Past

A series analyzing screenwriting advice from the book “How to Write Photoplays” written in 1920 by Anita Loos and her husband John Emerson.

Script Analysis: “Honey Boy” — Part 5: Dialogue

Read and analyze the script for the acclaimed drama written and starring Shia LeBouef.