Go Into The Story

Deep Work vs. Shallow Work

As writers, we need to protect time for the former from the encroachment of the latter. Here are four strategies to do precisely that.

Black List writers on the craft: Characters

“As I pull the story together, the characters start coming to life and each informs the other.”

On Writing

“We’re all born with an imagination. Everybody gets one. And I really believe — this is just from years of daily writing — that good…

Daily Dialogue — July 15, 2019

Pray God you can cope I’ll stand outside This woman’s work This woman’s world Ooooh it’s hard on a man Now his part is over Now starts the…

Screenwriting Theory

Plot. Concept. Character. Style. Dialogue. Scene. Theme. Time.

Interview (Video): Quentin Tarantino

Several videos featuring the writer-director talking about his new movie Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 5)

“I don’t care if your character is likable — I only care if he or she or it is interesting and entertaining and engaging. That’s all that…

Daily Dialogue — July 14, 2019

“I find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel, a free…

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: What to Write and Not to Write [Part 2]

“Almost every conceivable situation has occurred to a writer somewhere in the past. You can, however, get a new story by adding a new…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Hospital

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,076 consecutive days and counting.

Script To Screen: “Traffic”

From the 2000 movie Traffic, screenplay by Stephen Gaghan, based on a miniseries by Simon Moore.

Daily Dialogue — July 13, 2019

“You’re still here? It’s over. Go home. Go.”

The Present-Past Approach to Writing a Biopic

This narrative framework enables a writer to focus a biopic on the most critical moments in the featured character’s life.

Interview (Video): Alfonso Cuarón

An 85-minute conversation with the writer-director of Gravity and Roma.

Writing and the Creative Life: “The hard is what makes it great”

Wisdom about writing and creativity from the movie ‘A League of Their Own’.

Daily Dialogue — July 12, 2019

“It’s sad, when a mother has to speak the words that condemn her own son. But I couldn’t allow them to believe that I would commit murder…

Here’s my thing: When I was first learning the craft of screenwriting, all this chatter seemingly…

So I look at a movie like Whiplash which has one of THE best third acts in recent memory… whatever transpired in the story up to that point…

Geoff, whatever works!

As I say, “There’s no right way to write. Each writer is different. Each story is different.”

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 4)

“One thing that I do when I first start writing is to put the outline aside and just start trying to find the character’s voice.”

Spec Script Deal: “She Came Back”

Witchcraft Motion Picture Company acquires horror spec script “She Came Back” written by Emily Renee Bennett. From Deadline:

The Business of Screenwriting: Always be nice to the assistants

In the heady days after our spec script K-9 sells, we have several meetings with our agents at Bauer / Benedek (a boutique lit agency that…

Daily Dialogue — July 11, 2019

“Tara! Home. I’ll go home. And I’ll think of some way to get him back. After all… tomorrow is another day.”

Good question, Mike.

It’s all about the characters, really. the Breakfast Club comes to mind as well.

“Damien Chazelle’s Guide to Beginnings and Endings”

“You’ve got to have a good beginning, a good ending, and no shitty scenes in between.”

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 3)

“I approach my characters like I’m writing their biographies. I write up where they were born, what their favorite food is, all kinds of…