Go Into The Story

2019 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 15

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

Reader Question: Are there differences between seeking representation with a manager versus and…

The answer is yes. As one manager put it to me: “Agents wear suits, managers wear blue jeans.” Why that makes a big difference to you.

Interview (Part 5): Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann

An in-depth conversation with the co-writers and co-directors of the movie Sister Aimee which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Writing and the Creative Life: “Creativity-In-Action”

“Creativity requires more than a dream. In many cases, people struggle to turn their dreams into a reality not because they lack ambition…

Daily Dialogue — March 15, 2019

Hobie Doyle: Would that it were so simple. Laurence Laurentz: Would that it were so simple! Hobie Doyle: Would that it were so simple…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 14

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

Interview (Part 4): Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann

An in-depth conversation with the co-writers and co-directors of the movie Sister Aimee which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Writing for the Camera

“No scenarist is a genius to his cameraman… [they] have a common bond in the conviction that 90 per cent of the scenario writers have…

The Business of Screenwriting: They will pigeonhole you (and why this can be a good thing)

Think of it as your brand.

Daily Dialogue — March 14, 2019

Griffin Mill: So, what’s the story? Walter Stuckel: Twenty-five words or less? Okay. Movie exec calls writer. Writer’s girlfriend says he’s…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 13

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

Interview (Part 3): Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann

An in-depth conversation with the co-writers and co-directors of the movie Sister Aimee which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Marketing the Script

“Don’t let one or a dozen rejection slips discourage you. Make a collection of them to show your friends when you become famous.”

Script To Screen: “Planet of the Apes” (1968)

The famous ending of the original version of the movie Planet of the Apes (screenplay by Michael Wilson and Rod Serling, based on a novel…

Daily Dialogue — March 13, 2019

Geisler: Wuddya got for me — what the hell happened to your face?  Barton: Nothing. It’s just a mosquito bite.  Geisler: Like hell it is…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 12

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

Create a Compelling Protagonist

Workshop your story’s central character in my 1-week online course.

Interview (Part 2): Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann

An in-depth conversation with the co-writers and co-directors of the movie Sister Aimee which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Screenwriting 101: Ben Jacoby

“A big way to connect emotionally to a story for me is music. I listen to it all the time when I write. I have different playlists for each…

Daily Dialogue — March 12, 2019

John L. Sullivan: I want this picture to be a commentary on modern conditions. Stark realism. The problems that confront the average man…

Paul, I had a similar idea decades ago.

Small comfort to your friend Bob…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 11

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

Interview (Part 1): Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann

An in-depth conversation with the co-writers and co-directors of the movie Sister Aimee which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Title

“Although a good story is the first requisite, the title of the photoplay is most important from the point of view of the exhibitor.”

On Writing

“Take your time, but don’t dawdle. You have to get comfortable with experimenting and getting it wrong and also staring at the computer…