Go Into The Story

Daily Dialogue — October 24, 2019

“Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau…

When something happens… something ELSE happens

The dynamic dual nature of a screenplay universe.

Studies in Voice-Over Narration: “Fight Club”

Part 3 of a five-part series on movies where voice-over narration works.

Great Scene: “A Quiet Place”

In a brief respite from the monster’s violence, Evelyn and Lee confront the pain of the past as it exists in the present… and their…

Daily Dialogue — October 23, 2019

Ed Avery: Childhood is a congenital disease and the purpose of education is to cure it. I see my point of view is new to many of you. But…

Mark, you can certainly look at the entire family as a collective Protagonist because at the end of…

I just find it interesting to explore the individual tracks each character goes on. On two extremes, we have Grandpa and Frank. The former…

Mark, thanks for your response.

So yes, a helpful exercise and props to you for discussing it here.

The Protagonist’s Journey: “We are not prisoners of that room”

A reflection on Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Letters to a Young Poet”

Studies in Voice-Over Narration: “Double Indemnity”

Part 2 of a five-part series on movies where voice-over narration works.

Screenwriting 101: Scott Beck

“I use Microsoft One Note, where I have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of pages that are just basically scraps of ideas for different…

Daily Dialogue — October 22, 2019

Centurion: What’s this, then? “Romanes Eunt Domus”? “People called Romanes, they go the house”? Brian: It says “Romans, Go Home”…

Reader Question: Where do you go for inspiration when the words just aren’t coming?

What to do to break through a creative funk?

Studies in Voice-Over Narration: “The Shawshank Redemption”

Part 1 of a five-part series on movies where voice-over narration works.

On Writing

“Someone asked me the other day about writer’s block. Writer’s block basically doesn’t exist. It’s a way of saying the writing you are…

Daily Dialogue — October 21, 2019

“So, Mr. Williams thinks I am an Uncle Tom, hm? Well, well, well. What does that have to do with your ability to place a comma in its…

The Theology of Cinema: Annunciation

What the Angel’s visit to Mary can teach us about the Call to Adventure.

Movie Story Types: The [Blank] From Hell

This was a popular story conceit back in the 80s and 90s.

Interview (Video): Kasi Lemmons

Conversation with co-writer/director of the upcoming movie Harriet.

Daily Dialogue — October 20, 2019

“What’s in the box?”

The Theology of Screenwriting: Annunciation

What the Angel’s visit to Mary can teach us about the Call to Adventure.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 1]

“Every new turn of the plot must not only interest the audience, but must make them ask mentally, ‘I wonder what will come next’ or ‘How…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Teaching

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,174 consecutive days and counting.

Spec Script Deal: “The Tip”

TriStar Pictures acquires thriller spec script “The Tip” written by Cooper McMains. Via Deadline:

Daily Dialogue — October 19, 2019

Carla Jean Moss: You don’t have to do this. Anton Chigurh: [smiles] People always say the same thing. Carla Jean Moss: What do they say…

Reader Question: Is it okay to take more time than normal to set up the story in Act One?

What if that script you’re writing insists on having a 30+ page first act?