Go Into The Story

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 7]

“Many amateur photoplay writers are very clever in getting their characters into terribly involved situations; but they are not so clever…

Great Scene: “North by Northwest”

It was one of the scenes which inspired Hitchcock to make the movie.

Page One: “Gold” (2016)

Written by Patrick Massett & John Zinman

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 6]

“By showing more and more action, you will elaborate your plot in the best way.”

On Writing

“Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die.”

Page One: “Fruitvale Station” (2013)

Written by Ryan Coogler

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 5]

“When you are at a loss to carry on the action, cut over to the parallel line of action which is taking place in the next street or the…

Screenwriting 101: Amy Berg

“At the end of the day, the only thing that really defines a person is the choices they make. The characters in your scripts should be no…

Page One: “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996)

Written by Quentin Tarantino, story by Robert Kurtzman

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 4]

“It is inadvisable to attempt a minor plot in a photoplay unless it has a distinct and important bearing on your big story.”

On Writing

“Anything that isn’t writing is easy.”

Page One: “The Frighteners” (1996)

Written by Fran Walsh & Peter Jackson

The Owl Screenwriting Workshop

Reflections on reconnecting with the 2023–2024 cohort and working with the 2024–2025 group last week in Athens, Greece.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 3]

“The plot within the plot is one form of elaboration on the spoken stage.”

Page One: “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (1981)

Screenplay by Harold Pinter, novel by John Fowles

Spec Script Deal: “Sporkinfeesten”

Amazon MGM announces its acquisition of the comedy spec script “Sporkinfeesten” written by Aaron Eisenberg and Will Eisenberg. Via…

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 2]

“If the characters are not real enough to you to predominate the story, the photoplay will be without the vital human appeal which sells…

Page One: “Frantic” (1988)

Written by Roman Polanski & Gérard Brach

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 1]

“Every new turn of the plot must not only interest the audience, but must make them ask mentally, ‘I wonder what will come next’ or ‘How…

Great Scene: “No Country For Old Men”

“You need to call it. I can’t call it for you. It wouldn’t be fair. It wouldn’t even be right.”

Page One: “French Kiss” (1995)

Written by Adam Brooks

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: How To Begin [Part 2]

“Always try to tell the basic facts of the plot in as few scenes and sub titles as possible. The audience is not interested in the life…

Great Scene: “Night Shift”

“What are we really talking about here? What’s the essence of what we’re talking about? I’ll spell it out for you. PROSTITUTION!”

Page One: “Frantic” (1988)

Written by Roman Polanski & Gérard Brach

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: How To Begin [Part 1]

“A good beginning, the value of which appears to have been sadly underrated by most amateurs, makes a photoplay nearly as salable as a good…