Go Into The Story

2024 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 26

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 4]

“Few people like to cry, but every one likes to laugh. Therefore, the story with many laughs has a hundred fold better chance than the one…

The Business of Screenwriting: The Power of “No”

As a screenwriter, you need to be prepared to say this word: “No.”

Page One: “Firestorm” (1998)

Written by Chris Soth

2024 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 25

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 3]

“The exhibitor wants the sort of story that can be exploited from the box office point of view, for a photoplay that does not lend itself…

Great Scene: “Moneyball”

How the song “The Show” nails a key theme in the story.

Page One: “Fingernails” (2023)

Written by Christos Nikou & Sam Steiner & Stavros Raptis

2024 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 24

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 2]

“In writing for a producer, try to conform to the type of picture he has been making.”

Screenwriting 101: Robert Benton

“David [Newman] and I felt that the line dividing a criminal and an upright citizen is much more subtle than most people realize, and…

Page One: “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool” (2017)

Screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh, based on a book by Peter Turner

2024 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 23

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 1]

“It should be remembered that in literature and drama alike there is an artistic side and a practical side. Often the real masterpiece lies…

On Writing

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality may not destroy you.”

Page One: “The Fifth Element” (1997)

Screenplay by Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen, story by Luc Besson

2024 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 22

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The “Interest” [Part 2]

“To inspire emotion in your audience you must have been inspired with emotion yourself… Make yourself feel the things you are writing…

Screenwriting 101: Roberto Bentivegna

“Always remember how much you love movies. Always remember the movies that you grew up on, that you obsessed about, that you watched over…

Page One: “A Few Good Men” (1992)

Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin based on his play

2024 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 21

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

On Writing

“Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things, you’re doomed.”

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The “Interest” [Part 1]

“What he means by this ‘interest’ query is to ask if your story has the element of human sympathy.”

Page One: “Fast Color” (2018)

Written by Julia Hart & Jordan Horowitz

2024 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 20

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.