Go Into The Story

The Shawshank Redemption: Andy as Protagonist

My take is The Shawshank Redemption is an example of a Dual Protagonist story. Here is an analysis of the movie with Andy as a Protagonist…

Go Into The Story Resource: Writing Mantras

Some writing inspiration I have picked up along the way.

Writing and the Creative Life: Nothing succeeds like failure

Re-thinking the role of failure in the creative life.

Daily Dialogue — May 24, 2019

Henry: I realize this doesn’t exactly get us off on the right foot. Paul Bladden, New York Sentinel: The right foot, are you out of your…

“Twelve Things You Were Not Taught in School About Creative Thinking”

Not a fan of listicles. This one is different.

How They Write A Script: Robert Towne

“The single most important question, I think, that one must ask one’s self about a character is what are they really afraid of? What are…

Go Into The Story Resource: 10 Screenwriting Skills and Traits You Need

Develop your expertise in 10 areas to maximize your screenwriting potential.

Short Film: “Retouch”

A movie by Iranian director and screenwriter Kaveh Mazaheri is a master class in emotional subtext and the power of expression in the human…

The Business of Screenwriting: Who does what in a writer-representative relationship?

Let’s assume you get a manager and/or agent to represent you. Then what? What are their responsibilities as a representative? What are…

Daily Dialogue — May 23, 2019

“I had no idea she was this good.”

Trimming Tricks of the Trade

Page count. A screenwriter must be cognizant of it. Even if you don’t subscribe to the theories of screenwriting gurus like Syd Field, who…

Go Into The Story Resource: Writing and the Creative Life

Dozens of articles about creativity, what it is, how to nurture it, and steer our writing into the center of our creative soul.

Reader Question: How to convey a character’s emotional state in scene description?

How much latitude does a screenwriter have to ‘editorialize’ in scene description?

Video: How to Write a Fight Scene

With visual inspiration from the John Wick movie series.

Script To Screen: “Sex, Lies, andVideotape”

Anybody who cares about the indie film world should hold the 1989 movie Sex, Lies, and Videotape in high esteem. During the 80s when the…

Daily Dialogue — May 22, 2019

Mike Rezendes: We got Law. This is it. Walter ‘Robby’ Robinson: No, this is Law covering for one priest, there’s another ninety out there…

How They Write A Script: Terry Southern

The screenwriter of an amazing array of movies including Candy, The Magic Christian, Dr. Strangelove, Easy Rider, Casino Royale, and…

Are you a ‘push’ writer or a ‘pull’ writer?

Do you do your best creative work when you’re ‘pushed’… or ‘pulled’?

Spec Script Deal: “Voicemails for Isabelle”

Sony Pictures Entertainment acquires romantic comedy spec script “Voicemails for Isabelle” written by Leah McKendrick. Via Deadline:

Go Into The Story Resource: Screenwriting Tweetstorms

Currently 67 Twitter threads posted by professional screenwriters, TV writers, producers, and others in the movie and TV business.

Screenwriting 101: Gary Whitta

“It used to be that I’d start each writing day by reviewing the previous day’s pages. But that would usually wind up with me spending the…

Daily Dialogue — May 21, 2019

“For the last six years, we’ve been playing catch-up. And now thanks to the President of the United States, who by the way has taken a shit…

The Coen Brothers, Storytelling, and Fate

A poem by Ethan Coen reveals a key clue to the brothers’ story sensibilities.

One Way to Get Your Foot in the Door in the Movie and TV Business

It’s tough to break into the entertainment business as a screenwriter, but there are plenty of other jobs which can be a springboard to…

Go Into The Story Resource: How To Read A Screenplay

If you’re serious about learning the craft, here are some ways to dig into scripts.