Go Into The Story

Daily Dialogue — February 8, 2019

“So… what would you little maniacs like to do first?”

2018 Spec Script Deals Analysis: Agents & Managers

We continue our week-long analysis of spec script deals in 2017. Today: Agents and Managers.

TED Talk (Part 4): J.J. Abrams

In 2007, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Super 8) gave a TED Talk. I’m sure many of you have seen it. However, like many great presentations…

Character Type: Visionary

“They can see into the future… or think they can. They perceive possibilities when others see only walls. Often the power of their…

The Business of Screenwriting: There are three kinds of people in Hollywood

Story. Some get it. Some kinda get it. And some… well…

Daily Dialogue — February 7, 2019

Principal Turner: Mr. Hickam, report to my office as soon as we get back to school. You do intend to enter the county science fair, do you…

2018 Spec Script Sales Analysis: Buyers

Yesterday we looked at 2018 spec script deals by genre. Today we break down the numbers per major studios, mini-majors, subsidiaries…

TED Talk (Part 2): J.J. Abrams

In 2007, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Super 8) gave a TED Talk. I’m sure many of you have seen it. However, like many great presentations…

Scene Description Spotlight: Express Your Voice

On February 18, I’ll be offering a terrific one-week online class. It’s called Scene Description Spotlight which sounds super practical…

Script To Screen: “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

The three escapees encounter the movie’s version of The Sirens.

Daily Dialogue — February 6, 2019

“What you said, you don’t believe the infection in that capsule was brought back deliberately, do you?”

2018 Spec Script Deals Analysis: Genres

By my count, Hollywood studios, production companies, and financiers acquired 40 spec scripts in 2018. During this week, I’ll be breaking…

TED Talk (Part 2): J.J. Abrams

In 2007, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Super 8) gave a TED Talk. I’m sure many of you have seen it. However, like many great presentations…

Spec Script Deal: “The Wall”

Dolphin Entertainment and Briarcliff Entertainment acquire horror spec script “The Wall” written by Kellie Madison. From Deadline:

Screenwriting 101: Jeff Lieber

“I think the one thing that people mistake when they’re writing a TV pilot is it’s aimed at the plot of the pilot. When I go to pitch an…

Daily Dialogue — February 5, 2019

“So, yeah, I blew myself up. Best guess, I forgot to account for the excess oxygen that I’ve been exhaling when I did my calculations…

2018 Spec Script Deal List

Every year since I launched the blog in 2008, I do a week-long analysis of the recent year in terms of spec script deals. This week, we…

TED Talk (Part 1): J.J. Abrams

In 2007, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Super 8) gave a TED Talk. I’m sure many of you have seen it. However, like many great presentations…

Spec Script Deal: “Rich Old Broads”

Amblin Partners acquires comedy spec script “Rich Old Broads” written by Anya Kochoff. Via Deadline:

On Writing

“Just know that everyone’s writing is terrible. Until it’s not. No one’s stuff is right immediately. You gotta work it. Refine it. Shape…

Daily Dialogue — February 4, 2019

Executive: We must confess that your proposal seems less like science and more like science fiction. Ellie Arroway: Science fiction. Well…

Cameron, plots are almost always a series of actions-causing-reactions / reactions-to-actions.

But yes, generally speaking, you are best served with an active Protagonist.

Cathy, you either need to get representation, win a contests like the Nicholl, or use a website…

Path of Least Resistance Into Hollywood

Go Into The Story at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival: February 1

Notes and reflections from Park City, Utah.

Screenwriting News (January 28 — February 3, 2019)

Script sales, pitch deals, greenlit projects, talent attachments, and more.