Go Into The Story

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “The Silence of the Lambs”

The entire 10 part series breaking down the 1991 Best Picture screenplay.

The Business of Screenwriting: Cynicism

“In a town built on dreams, all too often they turn into nightmares. Somebody gets screwed. Just the way it is. And that’s why cynicism is…

Daily Dialogue — September 5, 2019

Francine Parker: They’re still here. Stephen: They’re after us. They know we’re still in here. Peter: They’re after the place. They don’t…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 4

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

The Protagonist’s Journey as Fate

“What we call fate comes not from outside us but from within.”

Reflections on 2nd Annual Black List / Women In Film Feature Writers Lab

6 writers reflect on their experience in recent writers lab in L.A.

Script To Screen: “The Way Way Back”

A scene from the 2013 movie The Way Way Back, written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash.

Daily Dialogue — September 4, 2019

Perry’s Pizza Waitress: Linda, Linda, there he is. There’s that guy from the stereo store. Don’t you think he looks like Richard Gere…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 3

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

Concept = Hook

“The foundation of any movie is the screenplay. The foundation of any screenplay is the concept. Therefore it stands to reason which story…

140 Scene-Writing Prompts

At a fundamental level, screenwriting is scene-writing. Use these prompts to improve your scene-writing chops.

Screenwriting 101: Guillermo Arriaga

“I’m not here for the money, I’m not here for the job, I’m here because I want things. I think that I have something to express, so I…

Daily Dialogue — September 3, 2019

Jake: Disco pants and haircuts… Elwood: Yeah, lots of space in this mall.

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 2

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

Breaking the 4th Wall in Scene Description

To everyone who claims there’s a screenwriting rule asserting we can’t include so-called ‘unfilmables’ in scene description, read this!

Scene-Writing Exercises [2019]

Here are 20 scene-writing prompts.

On Writing

“Perhaps it would be better not to be a writer, but if you must, then write. If all feels hopeless, if that famous “inspiration” will not…

Daily Dialogue — September 2, 2019

“Being in Old Orchard Mall kind of reminded me of being in Africa. By the watering hole. And the animals are in heat.”

Tips on How to Write While Holding Down a Job

Some practical advice to engender productivity even while working full-time.

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 1

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

Interview (Video): Julian Fellowes

A 75-minute conversation with the noted actor, screen, and TV writer whose credits include the TV series and upcoming movie Downton Abbey.

Script To Screen: “Wall Street”

A scene from the 1987 movie Wall Street.

Daily Dialogue — September 1, 2019

“Institutionalization.”

Narrative Imperative: The Protagonist’s Destiny

Reflections by Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell invert the writing process.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Shopping Mall

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