Go Into The Story

Spec Script Deal: “Meat”

Assemble Media acquires horror spec script “Meat” written by Logan Martin. From Deadline:

Script To Screen: “Badlands”

A memorable scene from the 1975 movie Badlands, written and directed by Terrence Malick.

Planning on watching “Tangerine” with my family after Thanksgiving dinner tonight.

Glad to see the movie inspired you, Jonathan, to get out there and start making your stories come into being!

Daily Dialogue — November 23, 2017

“Listen, kids. Fereshteh couldn’t jump well because of her shoes. One of the most important things is sneakers. And I see, unfortunately…

Reader Question: How do I know which version of my story to write?

If a story can go in myriad directions, how do we know which way to go?

Screenwriter Roundtable: Fatih Akin, Darren Aronofsky, Emily V.

Part of The Hollywood Reporter’s annual sit-downs with Hollywood players.

Spec Script Deal: “Envoy”

Pascal Pictures acquires science fiction thriller spec script “Envoy” written by Kat Wood. From Deadline:

Script To Screen: “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery”

A scene from the 1997 comedy Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, written by Mike Myers.

Movie Story Type: Gender Bender

There are genres (e.g., Action, Comedy, Drama). Cross genres (e.g., Action-Thriller, Comedy-Science Fiction). Sub-genres (e.g., Romantic…

Daily Dialogue — November 22, 2017

Jeff Spicoli: Hey, you’re ripping my card. Mr. Hand: Yes. Jeff Spicoli: Hey bud, what’s your problem? Mr. Hand: No problem at all. I think…

Reginald, Billy Mernit is perhaps the leading expert on romantic comedies.

Having been in the movie business for over three decades, one thing I have observed is that things run in cycles. Rom-coms may be down now…

Paul, late in responding, but that’s a great take.

But your second point is the real key: The success of a movie, rom-com or otherwise, is hugely dependent upon the quality of the script. As…

Mark, Mudbound is yours. Can’t wait to see the movie and read the script.

Re Wind River: Normally, I’d think that script would become available, however I believe Sheridan is attempting to extract it from TWC…

Update: 2017 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 2 New Scripts, 16 Total!

Get these PDFs now before the links disappear.

“Variety Announces 10 Screenwriters to Watch of 2017”

The 20th annual list from Variety.

Spec Script Deal: “Green Rush”

New Republic Pictures and Will Packer Productions acquire crime thriller spec script “Green Rush” written by Matt Tente. From Deadline:

Script To Screen: “As Good As It Gets”

The final scene from the 1997 movie As Good As It Gets, written by Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks.

Screenwriting 101: Chris McCoy

“When I’m building a character, it takes me a little time to get to know him or her, but eventually I get to a point where I say ‘okay…

Daily Dialogue — November 21, 2017

Charles W. Kingsfield Jr.: Mr. Hart, would you recite for us the facts of Hawkins versus McGee? [looks up] Charles W. Kingsfield Jr.: I…

What do we mean when we talk about a story’s ‘theme’?

And why is understanding theme so important when writing a story?

The Theology of Screenwriting: Annunciation

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

Time to Read 2017 Movie Scripts

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

Script To Screen: “The Artist”

A cute scene that turns into a significant plot point from the 2011 silent movie The Artist, written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius.

On Writing

“Once I learned to value and respect my characters, I could really hear them. I let them start talking. The important thing is not to…

Daily Dialogue — November 20, 2017

Kaye Faulkner: And there you guys were in class, trying to list all the Gilligan’s Island episodes without even a hint of irony. Shavonne…