Go Into The Story

Spec Script Deal: “Sirius”

Sentient Entertainment acquires action spec script “Sirius” written by Tony Mosher. From Deadline:

Script To Screen: “The Birds”

A scene from the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock thriller The Birds, screenplay by Evan Hunter, short story by Daphne Du Maurier.

Writing and the Creative Life: Your characters want you to tell their story

Lean into your characters. After all, it’s their story.

Daily Dialogue — December 1, 2017

“Pull up! Pull up! Pull up! Pull up!”

Reader Question: What are ways to study films in the same genre as my script?

If you’re a genre writer, it’s critical you immerse yourself in that story space.

“When the student is ready, the teacher arrives”

In the Protagonist’s journey, they usually get the Mentor they need.

Interview (Written): James Ivory

Conversation with the screenwriter of the movie “Call Me By Your Name”.

Script To Screen: “Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

So many great monologues in the 2014 movie Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), but this one may be the best.

Paul, thanks for that quote.

It’s a challenge to have any sort of financial / career success in the entertainment business. Reminds me of a quote from Levon Helm who…

Daily Dialogue —November 30, 2017

“Sir! It’s Tomato Soup!”

Well put, James: Even as unsympathetic as he is — stealing money from his mother, his cantankerous…

And yes, a brilliant performance.

Reader Question: What about ageism and screenwriting?

And who is the oldest person to win an Academy Award for Best Screenplay?

Follow Your Bliss: A Story

Dotan Negrin travels the world with his piano and makes friends everywhere with the universal language of music.

Update: 2017 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 3 New Scripts, 20 Total!

Get these PDFs now before the links disappear.

Script To Screen: “The Big Lebowski”

The scene that kick-starts the entire plot from the 1998 movie The Big Lebowski, written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.

Great Character: Miles (“Sideways”)

Protagonists must be sympathetic. They have to be likeable. We need to root for them. That’s straight out of Screenwriting 101, right?

Daily Dialogue — November 29, 2017

“Which way to Ireland?”

Adrian Molina on the Pixar movie “Coco”

My notes from an appearance by the movie’s co-writer and co-director.

Video: “Casablanca: An Unlikely Classic”

A great 35 minute retrospective on one of cinema’s most beloved movies.

Ava DuVernay: Advice to a New Filmmaker

Words of wisdom from the dynamic director of Selma and A Wrinkle in Time.

Script To Screen: “Big Fish”

A scene from the 2003 movie Big Fish, screenplay by John August, novel by Daniel Wallace.

Screenwriting 101: Issac Adamson

“I’m not a big high concept guy. I’ll stumble into a good high concept once in a while, but I usually don’t get those ideas that instantly…

Daily Dialogue — November 28, 2017

“Put the bunny back in the box.”

Update: Time to Read 2017 Movie Scripts

One of the best ways to learn the craft: Read scripts!

Theme = Meaning

More than just the moral or premise of the story, theme can best be understood to be about what a story MEANS.