Go Into The Story

The Theology of Cinema: Cross

“A six-pointed star, a crescent moon, a lotus — the symbols of other religions suggest beauty and light. The symbol of Christianity is an…

Page One: “Ambulance” (2022)

Screenplay by Chris Fedak, based on the movie written by Laurits Munch-Petersen and Lars Andreas Pedersen

2024 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 9

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Script To Screen: “The Departed”

The violent elevator scene in the 2006 movie, screenplay by William Monahan.

Video: 96th Oscars | Presenting the Best Picture Nominees

Check out this inspiring video from The Academy.

Page One: “All the Money in the World” (2017)

Written by David Scarpa, based on a book by John Pearson

2024 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 8

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Script To Screen: “Do the Right Thing”

Latent anger turns to hostility into violence in this intense scene from the 1989 movie Do the Right Thing, written by Spike Lee.

Believing is seeing … and hearing

A twist on the old saying, “Seeing is believing.”

Page One: “Alex Cross” (2012)

Screenplay by Marc Moss and Kerry Williamson, novel by James Patterson

2024 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 7

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity

Script To Screen: “Dog Day Afternoon”

Perhaps the most memorable scene from the 1975 movie Dog Day Afternoon, screenplay by Frank Pierson.

Screenwriting Tip: Listen to a Movie

Let’s say you have a moment of clarity. You admit to yourself that your ability to write dialogue could use a boost.

Page One: “Airplane II: The Sequel” (1982)

Written by Ken Finkleman

2024 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 6

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Virtual Production and You … the Screenwriter

“Technology is coming to take away our jobs as screenwriters” … except when it isn’t. In fact, it can make our job easier … and better!

Script To Screen: “Donnie Darko”

A scene from the 2001 movie Donnie Darko, written and directed Richard Kelly.

Page One: “Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964)

Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick & Terry Southern & Peter George, based on the book “Red Alert” by Peter George

2024 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 5

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Why Did They Cut This Scene From “Aliens”?

The scene underscores why Ripley’s relationship with Newt is so impactful psychologically and emotionally. So, why did they cut it from the…

Screenwriting 101: Nora Ephron

On the importance of a script having a great ending:

Page One: “The Adventures of Tintin” (2011)

Screenplay by Steven Moffat and Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish, based on “The Adventures of Tintin” by Hergé

2024 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 4

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Script To Screen: “Double Indemnity”

A key scene from the classic 1944 thriller Double Indemnity, screenplay by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler, novel by James M. Cain.

On Writing

“Don’t take yourself too seriously. Take the work seriously, take the time to do it everyday, but don’t get all bent out of shape about…