Go Into The Story

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Parts 20+21: Language and Words

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Script To Screen: “A Serious Man”

Leave it to the Coen brothers (Joel and Ethan) to come up with a denouement in their 2009 movie A Serious Man that resolves virtually…

Page One: “Dope” (2015)

Written by Rick Famuyiwa

Script To Screen: “A Quiet Place”

The terrifying opening incident is a master class in demonstrating how to use paragraphs of scene description to suggest individual camera…

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 19: Thought and Diction

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Screenwriting 101: George Axelrod

“Writing is such a mysterious process for me. For example, I don’t use a computer, because I like the manual feeling of building something…

Page One: “Don’t Worry Darling” (2022)

Screenplay by Katie Silberman, story by Carey Van Dyke & Shane Van Dyke and Katie Silberman

“Don’t let the facts get in the way of the story”

Reflections on a Hollywood axiom and the power of emotional logic.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 18(D): Chorus

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

On Writing

“One thing that helps is to give myself permission to write badly. I tell myself that I’m going to do my five or 10 pages no matter what…

Page One: “Doctor Sleep” (2019)

Screenplay by Mike Flanagan, novel by Stephen King

Great Scene: “King of Hearts”

In a fundamental way, screenwriting is scene-writing, so the more we learn about this aspect of the craft, the better.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 18(C): Multiplicity of Plots

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Script To Screen: “The Abyss”

One of the most dramatic scenes from the 1989 movie The Abyss, written by James Cameron.

Page One: “Disclosure” (1994)

Screenplay by Paul Attanasio, novel by Michael Crichton

Script To Screen: “Adaptation”

A memorable scene from the 2002 movie Adaptation, screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman, book by Susan Orlean.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 18(B): Four Kinds of Tragedy

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Scene Description Spotlight: “(500) Days of Summer”

One of the best moments in the delightful film (500) Days of Summer is the morning-after-having-sex-with-Summer-big-dance-bit.

Page One: “Dirty Girl” (2010)

Written by Abe Sylvia

Go Into The Story Interview: Scott Derrickson

My in-depth 2018 conversation with co-writer and director of the Marvel movie Doctor Strange as well as horror movies The Exorcism of Emily…

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 18(A): Complication and Denouement

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Script To Screen: “Air Force One”

The movie version of this pivotal scene is much different than the script.

Page One: “Dinner for Schmucks” (2010)

Screenplay by David Guion & Michael Handelman

Go Into The Story Interview: Lisa Joy

My 2014 in-depth conversation with the creator and co-executive producer of the HBO series Westworld, the Amazon series Fallout, and…

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 17: Plot and Episode

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…