Go Into The Story

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 2: Moral Character, Types, Tragedy and Comedy

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

“If you’re going to be a writer, there’s nothing I can say to stop you.”

Page One: “Coming Home” (1978)

Screenplay by Waldo Salt and Robert C. Jones, story by Nancy Dowd

Reader Question: Do all Protagonists need a character arc?

A character’s ‘arc’ is a big buzzword in Hollywood development circles.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 1: Structure and Imitation

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 American”

The opening incident in the 2010 movie The American, starring George Clooney, screenplay by Rowan Joffe, based on a novel by Martin Booth.

Page One: “The Comedian” (2016)

Screenplay by Art Linson & Jeffrey Ross and Richard LaGravenese and Lewis Friedman, story by Art Linson

Script To Screen: “American Beauty”

One of the most memorable scenes from the 1999 movie American Beauty, written by Alan Ball, a plastic bag dancing in the wind.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Introduction: The Nature and Purpose of the Arts

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

Great Scene: “Fight Club”

One of the most effective ways to begin a script is to start at the ending. And one of the best scenes that opens with the ending is in the…

Page One: “Come to Daddy” (2019)

Written by Toby Harvard

Script To Screen: “American Pie”

The infamous apple pie scene.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 28

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Writing and the Creative Life: “The best way to have a good idea…”

…is to have lots of ideas.” Those are the words of Linus Pauling, chemist, biochemist, peace activist, author, and educator, the only…

Page One: “Colette” (2018)

Screenplay by Richard Glatzer & Wash Westmoreland & Rebecca Lenkiewicz, story by Richard Glatzer

Great Scene: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

One of the most memorable scenes in one of the most memorable John Hughes movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986).

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 27

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

The Business of Screenwriting: Research Trips

“You’re the writer. Why not pick a terrific place for your story setting? Just in case you get the chance to go on a research trip.”

Page One: “Christine” (1983)

Screenplay by Bill Phillips, novel by Stephen King

Reader Question: Are there movies where the Protagonist is the Nemesis?

Is it possible for the Protagonist to also be the story’s Nemesis? A deep dive into Fight Club, The Shawshank Redemption, and Carl Jung.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 26

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Script To Screen: “American Psycho”

A scene from the 2000 movie American Psycho, screenplay by Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner, novel by Bret Easton Ellis.

Page One: “Gone Baby Gone” (2007)

Screenplay by Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard, novel by Dennis Lehane

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 25

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Screenwriting 101: Guillermo Arriaga

“I never outline the story, never. I once went to a seminar by one of these gurus of the screen, and this person said, ‘You must know…