Go Into The Story

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 6(C): The 6 Parts of Tragedy, Part 2

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: “Amadeus”

The glorious “Requiem” scene from the 1984 movie Amadeus, screenplay by Peter Shaffer based on his original stage play.

Page One: “Copycat” (1995)

Written by Ann Biderman and David Madsen

Interview (Part 6): Brent Delaney

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 6(B): Character and Thought

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

Spec Script Deal: “Over Asking”

Paramount Pictures acquires erotic thriller spec script “Over Asking” written by Caroline Dries. Via Deadline:

Page One: “Cool Runnings” (1993)

Screenplay by Lynn Siefert and Tommy Swerdlow & Michael Goldberg, story by Lynn Siefert & Michael Ritchie

Interview (Part 5): Brent Delaney

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 6(A): The 6 Parts 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…

Writing and the Creative Life: The Joy of Running… Creatively Speaking

“Does some creative block have you feeling stuck? Go for a run. Are you deliberating between one of two potentially life-altering…

Page One: “Contagion” (2011)

Written by Scott Z. Burns

Interview (Part 4): Brent Delaney

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 5: Comedy and Epic Poetry

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

Reader Question: Are screenplay contests any good or not?

With literally dozens of script competitions, this is an important question.

Page One: “Coneheads” (1993)

Written by Tom Davis & Dan Aykroyd and Bonnie Turner & Terry Turner

Interview (Part 3): Brent Delaney

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 4: Poetry and the Development 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…

“Good isn’t good enough. You have to be great.”

If you’ve been paying attention to the business of Hollywood, you’re probably aware that Skydance is taking over Paramount.

Page One: “Commando” (1985)

Screenplay by Steven E. de Souza, story by Jeph Loeb & Matthew Weisman and Steven E. de Souza

Interview (Part 2): Brent Delaney

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 3: Medium, Objects, Manner

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: Guillermo Arriaga

“I have no education at all in screenwriting. But when I have read all these manuals of screenwriting, they say things that I will never…

Page One: “Coming to America” (1988)

Screenplay by David Sheffield & Barry W. Blaustein, story by Eddie Murphy

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 3: Medium, Objects, Manner

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

Interview (Part 1): Brent Delaney

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.