Go Into The Story

An Object Lesson in Visual Storytelling

A comparison of scenes from the movies Heat and Den of Thieves reminds us that movies are primarily a visual medium.

Songwriters On Songwriting: Bob Dylan

“If you like someone’s work, the important thing is to be exposed to everything that person has been exposed to.”

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 19

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

Reader Question: What are three good ‘how to’ scripts to read?

Three essential scripts for learning the craft.

Writing and the Creative Life: “In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail”

When legendary football coach Vince Lombardi would speak in public, he rarely strayed far from two closely related subjects: success and…

Daily Dialogue — April 19, 2019

“Look there, at that woman. My God, just look at her. Affecting everyone around her, so obvious, so bourgeois, so boring. But wait… Watch —…

How They Write A Script: Paul Schrader

In a previous post, I noted two radically different approaches to writing as represented by Neil Simon, who doesn’t “make outlines at all”…

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Plot Backward

So you’re doing prep work, breaking the story. Problem is, the story is breaking YOU! The plot is a mess, you can’t figure it out, bits and…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 18

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

Reader Question: Should I reference other movies when pitching my own?

“I have heard/read that most Hollywood types believe it to be amateurish, while others feel it gives the reader a better sense of the…

The Business of Screenwriting: What to do when the phone stops ringing…

“If a spec script got you into The Business in the first place, a spec script can jump-start a stalled career.”

Daily Dialogue — April 18, 2019

“I apologize, I forgot to order the cream.”

“Inception”: Carl Jung’s Wet Dream

Either Christopher Nolan has studied Carl Jung or he tapped into the collective unconscious big time with his movie Inception.

What is your daily writing “workout” routine?

Some advice from A Quiet Place screenwriters Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 17

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

Ctrl, Alt, Del: Three Act Structure

It’s right there on your keyboard!

Script To Screen: “Rushmore”

The revenge sequence from Rushmore written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson.

Daily Dialogue — April 17, 2019

Babette: I have a favor to ask, ladies. Martine: Certainly, Babette. Filippa: Sit down, Babette. Babette: I’d like to prepare the…

Reader Question: What is the connection between the Protagonist and the inciting incident?

“Something. Happens. In my view, that is the essence of an inciting incident.”

Great Scene: “It Happened One Night”

A classic scene from the 1934 comedy which is one of three movies to win all the Big Five Oscars: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 16

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April.

GITS Interviews — Black List Writers

Over the years, I’ve interviewed dozens of writers whose scripts appeared on the annual Black List: 54 as of April 2019. Their collective…

Screenwriting 101: David Rabinowitz

“Write as much as you can. Quantity leads to quality. Show your work early and often, and embrace feedback.”

Daily Dialogue — April 16, 2019

“You wanted cake, you got cake! Now… EAT IT!”

Interview: Daniel Stiepleman

My conversation with the screenwriter of the movie On the Basis of Sex.