Go Into The Story

Nice take, I bolton.

Protagonist: Arthur

I bolton, you zeroed in a theme I see in play in the story: Control.

So yes, he has given up attempting to “fit into society,” indeed, to control his darker impulses. Instead, he embraces his shadow and…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 4

This is the 11th 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…

Script Analysis: “Joker” — Part 6: Takeaways

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Siblings

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,342 consecutive days and counting.

Interview: Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonathan Demme

A conversation between the two directors from the 2013 Austin Film Festival.

Daily Dialogue — April 4, 2020

Lt. Lois Einhorn: What’s the point, Ventura? Ace Ventura: Only this.

Character Type: Angel

“Angels come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Their presence in movies and culture reflects a desire on our part to believe in an…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 3

This is the 11th 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…

Script Analysis: “Joker” — Part 5: Dialogue

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.

Writing and the Creative Life: Flow

We revel in it when we have it and curse it when we don’t.

Daily Dialogue — April 3, 2020

Loki: Why did you run away from me the other night?  Taylor: I’ve never seen you before. You sure you got the right house?  Loki: You do…

Reader Question: How important is a logline in a query letter?

“The simple fact is the logline is the single most important aspect of any query letter.”

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 2

This is the 10th 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…

Script Analysis: “Joker” — Part 4: Themes

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.

The Business of Screenwriting: “I don’t have to smell it to sell it”

An object lesson in Agent Talk.

Daily Dialogue — April 2, 2020

Neo: I know what you’re trying to do. Morpheus: I’m trying to free your mind, Neo. I can only show you the door. You’re the one who has to…

Character Archetypes: “The Wizard of Oz”

Over the years, I’ve analyzed dozens of movies through the lens of five primary character archetypes: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 1

This is the 10th 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…

Script Analysis: “Joker” — Part 3: Characters

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.

Great Scene: “The Dark Knight”

“And you know the thing about chaos, Harvey? It’s fair. You live. You die.”

Daily Dialogue — April 1, 2020

“I’d like to move in on her right now, tonight.”

John McLane’s arc in “Die Hard”

One of the reasons the movie works so well is the Protagonist’s arc.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 31

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Script Analysis: “Joker” — Part 2: Plot

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.