Go Into The Story

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 24

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

Reader Question: Should you plot out the Protagonist’s arc or just go with your gut?

Some words of ‘wisdom’ from legendary Hollywood producer Max Millimeter.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Jerry Maguire”

“A beat of silence, then noise returns to its normal commercial roar. A couple of fleas have been swatted off the carcass of an immense…

Screenwriting 101: Stephany Folsom

“When I was starting out, I would go into a pitch and I would do everything that I do now, but I didn’t go with it with as much as ‘I’m…

Daily Dialogue — September 24, 2019

“It’s four thirty. Time for milking.”

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 23

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

Reader Question: How much dialogue versus description in a screenplay?

Is there some sort of key to finding a balance in a script?

Great Scene: “Whale Rider”

The 2003 movie Whale Rider is a wonderful story, aptly described in this IMDB plot summary:

On Writing

“Writing is a muscle. Smaller than a hamstring and slightly bigger than a bicep, and it needs to be exercised to get stronger. Think of…

Daily Dialogue — September 23, 2019

“We’ll be alright, Joey. We’re the lucky ones, you and me. Lucky since the day I met you.”

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 22

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

Theme as Moments

“It should not be surprising that what we most often and most vividly remember about a movie is its key moments. It should also not be…

Screenwriting Meta View: Five Stages of Screenplay Structure

In writing a screenplay, we go into the story. That’s critical in order to connect with the characters and immerse ourselves in the story…

Script To Screen: “Wreck-It Ralph”

A scene from the 2012 animated movie Wreck-It Ralph, screenplay by Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee, story by Rich Moore and Phil Johnston…

Daily Dialogue — September 22, 2019

Neil: What are they? ‘Murder’ Legendre: For you, my friend, they are angels of death

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 21

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

Redemption as a Movie Theme

A character seeking freedom from bondage to a past event is one of the most common themes in movies.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Farm

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,146 consecutive days and counting.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Denouement [Part 2]

“The two important rules in building up to the denouement of your plot are: First, bring the situation to the highest or lowest possible…

Daily Dialogue — September 21, 2019

“Nut up or shut up.”

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 20

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

Movie Analysis: “The Shining”

What if we look at the story with Jack Torrance as its Protagonist?

Screenwriting Meta View: Life After FADE OUT

“In the end, the Hero is a transformed individual.”

Writing and the Creative Life: Trust the Process

“There is a magic to this process that cannot be controlled by the ego. Somehow it always finds the way to the place where you need to be…

Daily Dialogue — September 20, 2019

“We’ve lost entire cities… We still don’t know how it started… We bought ourselves some time… It’s gives us a chance… Others have found a…