Go Into The Story

Screenwriting 101: Joel Coen

“Every movie ever made is an attempt to remake The Wizard of Oz.”

Page One: “Lake Placid” (1999)

Written by David E. Kelley

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 9

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

Interview (Part 3): Cameron Fay

My interview with the 2024 Black List writer for his script Until You.

Spec Script Deal: Untitled Teen Comedy

A24 acquires raunchy untitled teen comedy spec script written by Morgan Lehmann. Via Deadline:

Page One: “Ladyhawke” (1985)

Screenplay by Edward Khmara and Michael Thomas and Tom Mankiewicz, story by Edward Khmara

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 8

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Interview (Part 2): Cameron Fay

My interview with the 2024 Black List writer for his script Until You.

On Writing

“The most important element of any story is to make the reader want to know what happens next. Period. Everything else is gravy.”

Page One: “L.A. Story” (1991)

Written by Steve Martin

KA, in order to prove a case legally, you have to demonstrate a direct connection between your…

A vast majority of such cases -- my script is so much like that movie -- are simply two projects developed at the same or similar time. It…

The Coen Brothers and the Craft of Storytelling

My one-week online class begins Monday, April 14.

Interview (Part 1): Cameron Fay

My interview with the 2024 Black List writer for his script Until You.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 7

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Page One: “Krampus” (2015)

Written by Todd Casey & Michael Dougherty & Zach Shields

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 6

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

On Writing

“Sneaking up on it sometimes helps. I’ve found I can be very productive for an hour before dinner, because there obviously isn’t enough…

Go Into The Story Interview: Isaac Adamson

My interview with 2015 Black List writer for his script Bubbles.

Page One: “Knowing” (2009)

Screenplay by Ryne Douglas Pearson and Juliet Snowden & Stiles White, story by Ryne Douglas Pearson

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 5

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Screenwriting 101: Dana Coen

“I learned by continually asking myself those essential craft questions. Is the scene driven by the intent of the characters? Are there…

Scene Description Spotlight: “Se7en”

I posted this sequence in the movie Se7en as a Great Scene here and you can go there to see an analysis and commentary about it. But this…

Page One: “A Knight’s Tale” (2001)

Written by Brian Helgeland

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 4

This is the 15th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

On Writing

“Writers spend all their time preoccupied with just the things that their fellow men and women spend their time trying to avoid thinking…