Go Into The Story

Page One: “Blue Ruin” (2013)

Written by Jeremy Saulnier

How They Write A Script: Alvin Sargent

“I think too many people are too organized; they’ve got it all worked out, instead of hearing their characters first. Get the goop out…

Script To Screen: “Beetlejuice”

A memorable scene from the 1988 movie Beetlejuice with some significant changes from script to screen [screenplay by Michael McDowell and…

Screenwriting Mantra: “Writing is rewriting”

Perhaps no more true than in relation to screenwriting.

Page One: “Blood Diamond” (2006)

Screenplay by Charles Leavitt, story by Charles Leavitt and C. Gaby Mitchell

Stacking projects

One key to the craft: Learn how to manage several projects at once.

Spec Script Deal: “Reality Vice”

Paramount Pictures acquires comedy spec script “Reality Vice” written by Katie Silberman. Via Deadline:

The Business of Screenwriting: It’s not just about the script

Yes, you should focus on your spec script, but there’s much more to learn.

Page One: “Blonde” (2022)

Written for the screen by Andrew Dominik, based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates

Break your story in prep

My only Prep: From Concept to Outline workshop of 2024 begins July 8th.

Screenwriting Mantra: Watch Movies. Read Scripts. Write Pages.

I came up with this screenwriting mantra a decade ago. Still works.

How They Write A Script: Wendell Mayes

Wendell Mayes (1918–1992) had a significant career as a screenwriter and TV writer with quite a range of movies including The Spirit of St…

Page One: “The Blob” (1988)

Screenplay by Chuck Russell & Frank Darabont, story by Irvine H. Millgate, earlier screenplay by Theodore Simonson and Kay Linaker

Short Film: “The Smallest Power”

This compelling animation is the first in a series of The New Yorker documentaries.

Script To Screen: “Before Midnight”

The final scene in the 2013 movie Before Midnight, written by Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy & Ethan Hawke, characters by Richard…

Screenwriting 101: Paul Thomas Anderson

“Bad movie dialogue speaks in complete sentences without any overlapping or interruption, and avoids elliptical speech, which is truer to…

Page One: “Blindspotting” (2018)

Written by Rafael Casal & Daveed Diggs

The Owl Screenwriting Workshop

Join me in Athens, Greece from October 1–4, 2024.

Great Scene: “Citizen Kane”

The marriage montage is an excellent example of efficient storytelling.

On Writing

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

Page One: “Blankman” (1994)

Screenplay by Damon Wayans & J.F. Lawton, story by Damon Wayans

Go Into The Story Interview: Sam Boyer

My interview with 2023 Black List writer for his script Foragers.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 1

Billy Wilder is my all-time favorite filmmaker. Consider just some of his movies: Double Indemnity (1944), Sunset Blvd. (1950), Stalag 17…

30 Things About Screenwriting: Know your genre

If you want to write in a genre, you’re wise to immerse yourself in it.

Page One: “Blades of Glory” (2007)

Screenplay by Jeff Cox & Craig Cox and John Altschuler & Dave Krinsky, story by Craig Cox & Jeff Cox & Busy Philipps