Go Into The Story

The Nemesis as the Protagonist’s ‘Shadow’

Want drama? Ask your Protagonist: What do you fear the most? Then put them in a story where they have to confront that fear: Their Nemesis.

Script Analysis: “The Florida Project” — Part 2: Plot

Read the script for the critically acclaimed indie film and analyze it all this week.

The Theology of Screenwriting: Chosen

The archetype of the Chosen One is common to movies, echoing the Messianic tradition in Judeo-Christianity.

Screenwriting 101: Destin Daniel Cretton

“I love that moment in a story’s development when the characters begin to feel like real people who I can’t wait to spend time with. At…

Daily Dialogue — June 5, 2018

“You know those five thousand ships you say the Allies haven’t got? Well, they’ve got them!”

I was fascinated to read the script, then the breakdown because what I remember about the movie is…

Perhaps it’s because once you hit that transition point in the middle of the story, everything that’s been set up starts to accelerate…

Script Analysis: “The Florida Project” — Part 1: Scene By Scene Breakdown

Read the script for the critically acclaimed indie film and analyze it all this week.

Pound Out That First Draft!

Go from FADE IN to FADE OUT in my upcoming online writing workshop. Starts June 11th!

The Theology of Screenwriting: Annunciation

What the Angel’s visit to Mary can teach us about the Call to Adventure.

On Writing

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

Daily Dialogue — June 4, 2018

Shivering Soldier: You haven’t turned around. Mr. Dawson: No, we have a job to do. Shivering Soldier: Job? This is a pleasure yacht. You’re…

Screenwriting News (May 28-June 3, 2018)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

Go Into The Story Interview: Amy Berg

My Q&A with a top Hollywood TV showrunner.

Spec Script Deal: “Satanic Panic”

Fangoria Films acquires horror spec script “Satanic Panic” written by Grady Hendrix. Via Deadline:

Interview (Written): Leigh Whannell

Conversation with the co-creator of the Saw movie series.

Daily Dialogue — June 3, 2018

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please. We are the Ex-Presidents and as you can see, we are in fact…

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 344th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

Interview (Part 6): Amy Berg

My Q&A with a top Hollywood TV showrunner.

Reader Question: Do all Protagonists need a character arc?

A character’s ‘arc’ is a big buzzword in Hollywood development circles.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Combat

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,670 consecutive days and counting.

Daily Dialogue — June 2, 2018

Butch: What was the matter with the old bank this town used to have? It was beautiful. Guard: People kept robbing it.

Go Into The Story Resources

The very best posts and series from the website’s archives.

Interview (Part 5): Amy Berg

My Q&A with a top Hollywood TV showrunner.

Spec Script Deal: “Rawhide Down”

Global Road Entertainment and Gran Via Productions acquire thriller spec script “Rawhide Down” written by Alex Cramer. Via Deadline:

Writing and the Creative Life: To Write, Stop Thinking

Think character. Think plot. Think theme. But when you sit down to write, don’t think… feel.