Go Into The Story

Script Analysis: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — Part 4: Themes

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

The Business of Screenwriting: I can do that!

A writer rises to meet the challenge of any story.

Daily Dialogue — March 26, 2020

“You met me at a very strange time in my life.”

Wonderful to hear, Lesath!

But for now, enjoy your accomplishment!

Tara, you hit on a really important point: Mr.

Also well noted that three subplot relationships — Lloyd and Andrea, Lloyd and Jerry, Lloyd and Mr. Rogers — all reflect aspects of Lloyd’s…

Interview: Brian Andrews

A conversation with the creator of cutting edge VR film which debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 25

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

Script Analysis: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — Part 3: Characters

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

Great Scene: “Collateral”

Three guys, late night bar, Miles Davis… and an assassination.

Daily Dialogue — March 25, 2020

Sydney Ellen Wade: How’d you finally do it? President Andrew Shepherd: Do what? Sydney Ellen Wade: Manage to give a woman flowers and be…

I confess I’ve yet to see the movie, but in a way, I’m glad I read the script first.

“The hero needs to change, they’re just making do.” That is what Joseph Campbell said about the Hero’s Journey, where the Hero begins their…

Reader Question: What can a writer learn from reading a script while watching the movie at the…

An in-depth analysis of the opening sequence in The Shawshank Redemption demonstrates the value of this learning exercise.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 24

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

Script Analysis: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — Part 2: Plot

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

Screenwriting 101: Elizabeth Chomko

Write. Write write write — grocery lists, journal entries, emails, short stories, whatever, it doesn’t matter. Write at every opportunity…

Daily Dialogue — March 24, 2020

Jerry: Oh no you don’t! Osgood, I’m gonna level with you. We can’t get married at all. Osgood: Why not? Jerry: Well, in the first place…

Screenplay as a Series of Event-Reactions

“A movie is — in a way — simply a continuous series of event-reactions / moment-responses.”

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 23

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

Script Analysis: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

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

On Writing

“My method is: I imagine a meter mounted in my forehead, with ‘P’ on this side (‘Positive’) and ‘N’ on this side (‘Negative’). I try to…

Daily Dialogue — March 23, 2020

Celine: Baby, you are going to miss that plane. Jesse: I know.

Great Scene: “Caddyshack”

One weird golf course maintenance dude with one weirded out caddie.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 22

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

Go Into The Story Interview: Aaron Chung

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

The Theology of Cinema

A series which explores theological themes found in movies as metaphors for philosophical and psychological dynamics writers can use in…