Go Into The Story

Screenwriting Mantra: What is the point of the scene?

Begin the scene-writing process by asking this fundamental question.

Interview (Part 6): Sam Boyer

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

Script To Screen: “Being John Malkovich”

The 7 1/2 floor scene from Being John Malkovich (1999), written by Charlie Kaufman. Setup: Craig (John Cusack) goes to an unusual office…

Page One: “Blade Runner 2049” (2017)

Screenplay by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, story by Hampton Fancher, based on characters from the novel “Do Androids Dream of…

How They Write A Script: Richard Matheson

Richard Matheson has written novels and short stories, as well as screenplays for both film and television. Notably, he is among the few…

Interview (Part 5): Sam Boyer

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

Writing and the Creative Life: “Nothing succeeds like failure”

Re-thinking the role of failure in the creative life.

Page One: “Blade” (1998)

Written by David S. Goyer

KA, there are avenues into Hollywood. There is the Black List website:

https://blcklst.com/

Update: “The Protagonist’s Journey”

Named one of 20 Best Story Writing Books of All Time

Interview (Part 4): Sam Boyer

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

The Business of Screenwriting: Living and Writing in L.A.

Let me say up front, there are advantages for a screenwriter to live in or near Los Angeles. Here are a few key ones:

“Black Panther” (2018)

Written by Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole, based on the Marvel comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

30 Things About Screenwriting: Facing the odds

How to sustain creativity in the face of considerable odds against success.

Interview (Part 3): Sam Boyer

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

Script To Screen: “Big Fish”

A scene from the 2003 movie Big Fish, screenplay by John August, novel by Daniel Wallace.

Page One: “Black Christmas” (1975)

Written by Roy Moore

30 Things About Screenwriting: When something happens… something ELSE happens

The dynamic dual nature of a screenplay universe.

Interview (Part 2): Sam Boyer

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

Screenwriting 101: Arash Amel

“Craft is discipline. I’m a professional. This is my job. You have a lot of hungry agents to feed and a lot of attorneys to feed. The way…

Page One: “The Birdcage” (1996)

Screenplay by Elaine May, earlier screenplay by Francis Veber and Édouard Molinaro and Marcello Danon and Jean Poiret, play by Jean Poiret

Deep Focus: Go Into The Movies Project

Film school on the cheap!

Interview (Part 1): Sam Boyer

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

On Writing

“I write to find out what I didn’t know I knew, to find out what I didn’t know I felt.”

Page One: “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” (1991)

Written by Chris Matheson & Ed Solomon, based on their characters