Go Into The Story

30 Things About Screenwriting: If you write a great script…

…Hollywood will find you.

Screenwriting 101: Shane Black

“The feeling of finishing the script, the first draft, was the high. Everything that followed — though of interest, and sometimes slightly…

Page One: “The Guest” (2014)

Written by Simon Barrett

30 Things About Screenwriting: Imagematic writing

Good screenwriting is visual writing. After all, movies are: Motion. Pictures.

On Writing

“Mystery is the essential element of every work of art.”

Page One: “Green Room” (2015)

Written by Jeremy Saulnier

30 Things About Screenwriting: “Don’t think. Feel.”

With writing, there are times to think… and times to feel.

Some Inspiration for You

I rediscover the very first draft of K-9 and I’m reminded of this singular truth: Good things CAN happen!

Page One: “Green Lantern” (2011)

Screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, screen story Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc…

30 Things About Screenwriting: “Beginning. Middle. End.”

Consider the universality of narrative in three movements.

Report from the Austin Film Festival and Writers Conference

Observations from an event I describe as “Woodstock for screenwriters.”

Page One: “Grease” (1978)

Screenplay by Bronte Woodard , based on the original musical by Jim Jacob and Warren Casey

30 Things About Screenwriting: Get the damn thing done!

The one unalterable truth about writing a first draft.

Great Scene: “Tampopo”

If you haven’t seen the 1985 Tampopo, written and directed by Jûzô Itami, do yourself a favor and check it out. Starring the great Ken…

Page One: “GoldenEye” (1995)

Screenplay by Jeffrey Caine and Bruce Feirstein, story by Michael France, characters by Ian Fleming

30 Things About Screenwriting: Feet on the ground… head in the clouds

A twist on a familiar adage speaks to the business of writing.

Screenwriting 101: Shane Black

“I studied William Goldman’s writing style, especially the scripts for Marathon Man and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I found both of…

Page One: “The Godfather Part III” (1990)

Written by Mario Puzo & Francis Ford Coppola

30 Things About Screenwriting: Break your story in prep

Let me begin with this acknowledgement: There is no right way to write. Each writer is different. Each story is different. There is no…

On Writing

“Writing is a process of discovery. The biggest enemy is being satisfied. That’s when you have to be most suspicious.”

Page One: “Girls Trip” (2017)

Screenplay by Kenya Barris & Tracy Oliver, story by Erica Rivinoja and Kenya Barris & Tracy Oliver

30 Things About Screenwriting: Similar but different

Or Precedent and Analogy. However you refer to it, it’s how Hollywood operates.

Spec Script Deal: “Final Score”

Fifth Season and Makeready acquire crime thriller spec script “Final Score” written by Will Hettinger. Via Deadline:

Page One: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (2011)

Screenplay by Steven Zaillian, novel by Stieg Larsson

30 Things About Screenwriting: Living and writing in L.A.

Let me say up front, there are advantages for a screenwriter to live in or near Los Angeles. Here are a few key ones: