Go Into The Story

How to Decide Which Story to Write

Are you trying to figure out which of one or more stories to write next?

On Writing

“I love that line from E.L. Doctorow: ‘Writing a novel is like driving at night. You can only see as far as your headlights — ” but you…

Daily Dialogue — November 4, 2019

“Boy, getting off the freeway makes you realize how important love is. After that, Dionne’s virginity went from technical to non-existant…

The Theology of Cinema: Chosen

The archetype of the Chosen One is common to movies, echoing the Messiah figure in ancient religions.

Studio Chief Summit: All 7 Top Film Executives, One Room, Nothing Off-Limits (and No Easy Answers)

Earlier this week from The Hollywood Reporter:

Interview (Audio): Edward Norton

The actor turned writer-director talks about his new movie Motherless Brooklyn.

Daily Dialogue — November 3, 2019

“Oh, God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space were it not that I have bad dreams.”

Update: 2019 Award Season Screenplay Downloads —2 New Scripts, 7 Total

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 3]

“The plot within the plot is one form of elaboration on the spoken stage.”

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Driving

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,188 consecutive days and counting.

Studies in Flashbacks (5 Part Series)

Casablanca, The Social Network, (500) Days of Summer, Once Upon a Time in the West, Ordinary People

Daily Dialogue — November 2, 2019

David: I’ve just had a nightmare. Nurse Alex: Not to worry. I’ve just the thing.

2019 Award Season Screenplay Downloads

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Studies in Flashback: “Ordinary People”

Part 5 of a five-part series on movies where flashbacks work.

Writing and the Creative Life: “Why You Should Write Three Pages of Garbage Every Morning”

“Freewriting forces you to keep moving forward, keep creating, without a thought given to quality.”

Daily Dialogue — November 1, 2019

“It’s all right. I’m here.”

Screenwriting as Scene-Writing

My unique 1-week online course begins Monday, November 4th.

Tweetstorm: Bryan Edward Hill on Keys to Writing Scene Description

Advice on writing efficient, entertaining scene description in genre scripts from author, screenwriter, musician, comic book writer, and…

Studies in Flashback: “Once Upon a Time in the West”

Part 4 of a five-part series on movies where flashbacks work.

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything you wanted to know about specs [Part 5]

“We like to manage what our writers are writing, but we’re only as good as our writers. We complement their process by helping them craft…

Daily Dialogue — October 31, 2019

“This is not a dream… not a dream. We are using your brain’s electrical system as a receiver. We are unable to transmit through conscious…

No Pixar Movie Gets Made Without This Ingredient

A 7-minute video featuring… me.

Studies in Flashbacks: “(500) Days of Summer”

Part 3 of a five-part series on movies where flashbacks work.

Spec Script Deal: “Widow: The Way Of The Raven”

Perfect Village Entertainment acquires Western spec script “Widow: The Way Of The Raven” written by Joanne Reay. Via Deadline:

Daily Dialogue — October 29, 2019

“It was so nice of you to invite your neighbors for a barbecue.”