Go Into The Story

Screenwriting 101: Jon Boyer

“Once I land on an idea that I want to explore, I start with a premise statement, and it’s always a when, then, until track.

Daily Dialogue — April 21, 2020

“My name is Harvey Milk and I’m here to recruit you!”

Script To Screen: “2001: A Space Odyssey”

A pivotal scene from the 1968 movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, screenplay by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 20

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

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

Read and analyze the script for the lauded indie drama.

On Writing

“We read a lot about writers who have a “butt in chair” philosophy, who crank out a minimum of 1,000 words every day rain or shine. If you…

Daily Dialogue — April 20, 2020

“I can’t listen to this anymore. I can’t accomplish a goddamn thing of any worth until we cure ourselves of slavery and end this…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 19

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “Toy Story 4”

Read and analyze the script for the hit Pixar movie.

Interview: Damien Chazelle

An excellent 12-minute distillation of Whiplash from its writer-director.

Daily Dialogue — April 19, 2020

“Can’t you stop saying ‘fuck’ all the time? Can’t you stop talking about money?”

Like a reunion, yes. Ha! Laura, I liked this exchange:

Rex: Does this mean… Woody’s a lost toy?

Thanks, Laura, solid analysis.

Good work, Laura!

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 18

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Script Analysis: “Toy Story 4” — Part 6: Takeaway

Read and analyze the script for the hit Pixar movie.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Politician

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,356 consecutive days and counting.

Interview (Video): Craig Mazin

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

Daily Dialogue — April 18, 2020

“No, mom! I’m not spoiled! I’m not spoiled mom! I’m just as fresh and virginal like the day I was born, mom!”

Interesting Characters vs. Sympathetic Characters

“Appeal comes from truthful and complex characters. I hate when movie people say, ‘Your lead character has to be sympathetic,’ which for…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 17

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…

Script Analysis: “Toy Story 4” — Part 5: Dialogue

Read and analyze the script for the hit Pixar movie.

Writing and the Creative Life: “In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail”

When legendary football coach Vince Lombardi would speak in public, he rarely strayed far from two closely related subjects: success and…

Daily Dialogue — April 17, 2020

“AAAAHHHHHH!!!”

Reader Question: What makes a movie a big budget and a small budget?

There are critical choices a writer can make at the script stage which directly influence a project’s budget… and its potential viability…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 16

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Because the best way to come up with…