Scott Myers

Sundays with Sidney Lumet’s “Making Movies”

A weekly series featuring reflections on filmmaking by one of the truly great movie directors.

“Get the damn thing done!”

The one unalterable truth about writing a first draft.

Great Scene: “Barton Fink”

The enigmatic ending of the Coen brothers’ 1991 movie.

Page One: “Million Dollar Baby” (2004)

Screenplay by Paul Haggis, based on stories F.X. Toole

Screenwriting Mantra: Enter Late, Exit Early

“You always attack a movie scene as late as you possibly can. You always come into the scene at the last possible moment.”

Character Introductions: Part 6

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

Interview (Audio): Emily Carmichael

A conversation with the co-writer of Jurassic World Dominion.

Page One: “Miles Ahead” (2015)

Screenplay by Steven Baigelman & Don Cheadle, story by Steven Baigelman & Don Cheadle and Stephen J. Rivele & Christopher Wilkinson

The Theology of Cinema: Grace

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us.”

Character Introductions: Part 5

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

Writing and the Creative Life: Something is Better Than Nothing

“No matter what you write, good or bad, it’s an improvement to a blank page.”

Page One: “Mighty Joe Young” (1998)

Screenplay by Mark Rosenthal & Lawrence Konner, story by Merian C. Cooper

Character Development Exercise: Switch Protagonists

After all, every character is the Protagonist in their own story.

Character Introductions: Part 4

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

The Business of Screenwriting: There’s a green light…

I’m attending a fundraiser for my son’s elementary school. It’s an alternative private school on the Westside, an institution that prides…

Page One: “Midnight in Paris” (2011)

Written by Woody Allen

Character Introductions: Part 4

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

The Spirit of the Spec

The creative empowerment of writing a spec script.

Character Introductions: Part 3

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

Great Scene: “Aliens” (1986)

Two “mama bears” going at it in the movie’s climactic battle.

Page One: “Midnight Express” (1978)

Screenplay by Oliver Stone, book by Billy Hayes and William Hoffer

Set-up and Payoffs

One of the most important narrative elements screenwriters have available to us is set-ups and payoffs. The basic idea is this: We…

Character Introductions: Part 2

Think there’s nothing to introducing characters in a script? Think again!

Screenwriting 101: Preston Sturges

His “golden rule” for successful comedy:

Page One: “Middle of Nowhere” (2012)

Written by Ava DuVernay