Scott Myers

Unpacking the Mysteries of Screenplay Time

Flashback, Flashforward, Set-Up / Payoff, Callback, Montage, Series of Shots, Cross Cut, Visual-to-Visual Transition, Audio-to- Audio…

Screenwriting 101: Sean Robert Daniels

“When I’m writing, I like to research second. Steven King said this amazing thing in his book on writing. Don’t write what you know. Write…

Daily Dialogue — November 26, 2019

“Well, someone’s got to break the ice, and it might as well be me. I mean, I’m used to being a hostess, it’s part of my husband’s work. And…

Learning the Craft in 2020 and Beyond

It’s not too soon to be thinking about courses I am offering through Screenwriting Master Class next year.

Theme as Motif

Stories have multiple themes ranging from a Central Theme and Sub-Themes to Talismans and Motifs.

On Writing

“Truly, I just try to get out of my own way and inhabit the characters. I strive to get inside of them and leave myself in the dust, so I…

Daily Dialogue — November 25, 2019

“It’s so fucking good, I should kill you.”

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…

Script To Screen: “Boyhood”

The beautiful denouement of the 2014 movie Boyhood, written and directed by Richard Linklater.

Interview (Written): Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster

The screenwriters of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood open up about how they adapted the life of one of TV’s most cherished figures.

Daily Dialogue — November 24, 2019

Dr. Noboru Yasumoto attempts to give medicine to a sick patient. She swats his hand away splashing the liquid across Yasumoto’s face. Dr…

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 6]

“By showing more and more action, you will elaborate your plot in the best way.”

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Feast

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,209 consecutive days and counting.

Interview (Written): Minhal Baig

Conversation with the writer-director of the movie Hala.

Daily Dialogue — November 23, 2019

“Oh, Frank, my lips are hot! Kiss my hot lips!”

Character Type: Advocate

“The Advocate taps into powerful psychological and emotional strains at work in our collective psyche. The hope there are good people out…

Movies You Made: “The Morning After”

Movies You Made is an ongoing Go Into The Story series to spotlight filmmakers and promote their storytelling. Today: The Morning After…

Writing and the Creative Life: Why Staring Into Space Is an Important Strategy for Success

“In the shower we are simply staring into space, washing our hair on autopilot. We aren’t checking our messages or Twitter feed, or writing…

Daily Dialogue — November 22, 2019

Capt. Jack Aubrey: Do you see those two weevils, Doctor? Dr. Stephen Maturin: I do. Capt. Jack Aubrey: Which would you choose? Dr. Stephen…

Reader Question: How to keep from getting stuck in Act Two?

The answer is almost always this: Spend more time in story prep learning about your characters!

Update: 2019 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 2 New Scripts, 14 Total

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything You Wanted to Know About Specs [Part 8]

On attaching talent: “In my experience, it’s either the agent or the producer who approaches other elements. Almost always these…

Daily Dialogue — November 21, 2019

Carmine Falcone: [feigning insanity] Yeah, Doctor Crane, I can’t take it anymore. It’s all too much. “The walls are closing in.” Blah…

Writing and the Creative Life: Wherein I embrace my messy desk!

For decades, I have waged a relentless war. The battlefield? My desk. Raised a military brat and a Southern Baptist to boot, the message I…

Handling Script Notes

We may hate them, but if they help us write a better script…