Scott Myers

Announced: 2015 Nicholl Fellowship Finalists

Congratulations to the finalists for the 2015 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting: Ghazi Albuliwi, “Arafat” Jennifer Bailey and Max Lance, “Best Funeral Ever” Elizabeth Chomko, “What They Had” Ryan Covington, “The Secrets We Keep” Andrew Friedhof, “Great Falls” Lynn Esta Goldman, “Angel on the Wall” Anthony Grieco, “Best Sellers” Murat Izmirli,

Andrew Stanton, Part 8: “The Clues to a Great Story” (TED Talk)

Last week, I brought up the Andrew Stanton TED Talk from 2012 in the context of a discussion about storytelling. It reminded of how great his presentation was. So great, when I went into the archives to check the series I ran at the time, I had actually taken the

Script Analysis: “Looper” — Part 3: Sequences

Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday: Major Plot Points Wednesday: Sequences Thursday: Themes Friday: Takeaways Today: Sequences. A sequence

Classic 40s Movie: “Brief Encounter”

September is Classic 40s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Emily Bonkoski. Movie Title: Brief Encounter Year: 1945 Writers: David Lean, Ronald Neame, Anthony Havelock-Allan, based on a play by Noel Coward Actors: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard Director: David Lean IMDb Plot Summary: Meeting a stranger in

Great Scene: “There Will Be Blood”

The last scene of There Will Be Blood (2007) is one of the most gut-wrenching, memorable finales in recent film history. Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the scene features just two characters: Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Eil Sunday (Paul Dano). We pick up the action

Daily Dialogue — September 9, 2015

Ripley: Ash, can you hear me? Ash? Ash: [speaking in an electronic, distorted voice] Yes, I can hear you. Ripley: What was your special order? Ash: You read it. I thought it was clear. Ripley: What was it? Ash: Bring back life form. Priority One. All other priorities rescinded. Parker:

A great question to ask about your Protagonist

In my workshops, one line of questioning I often pose to the writers I work with about their story’s Protagonists is this: Who would they become if your story didn’t happen? If the specific events the Protagonist participates in and specific characters with whom they intersect in your

Andrew Stanton, Part 7: “The Clues to a Great Story” (TED Talk)

Last week, I brought up the Andrew Stanton TED Talk from 2012 in the context of a discussion about storytelling. It reminded of how great his presentation was. So great, when I went into the archives to check the series I ran at the time, I had actually taken the

Script Analysis: “Looper” — Part 2: Major Plot Points

Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday: Major Plot Points Wednesday: Sequences Thursday: Themes Friday: Takeaways Today: Major Plot Points.

Classic 40s Movie: “Rope”

September is Classic 40s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Lance Morgan. Movie Title: Rope Year: 1948 Writers: Arthur Laurents, based on play Patrick Hamilton Lead Actors: James “Jimmy” Stewart, John Dall, and Farley Granger Director: Alfred Hitchcock IMDb Plot Summary: Two young men strangle their “inferior” classmate,

Screenwriting 101: Allan Scott

“I think writing is the only way to live that I have been interested in. Not to liberate my soul or correct any imperfection in an imperfect world. Just for the incredible pleasure of working and the discipline now of daily being surprised at what is happening as I live;

Daily Dialogue — September 8, 2015

Mark Zuckerberg: You signed the papers. Eduardo Saverin: [almost in tears] You set me up. Mark Zuckerberg: You’re gonna blame me because you were the business head of the company and you made a bad business deal with your own company? Eduardo Saverin: This is gonna be like I’

The Benefits of a Writing Workshop

Many writers benefit from the structure of a writing workshop to encourage them through their story-crafting process. Plus you receive the benefit of feedback and support from your peers and the instructor. Finally, you not only work your way through your story, you also learn proven principles and practices

Andrew Stanton, Part 6: “The Clues to a Great Story” (TED Talk)

Last week, I brought up the Andrew Stanton TED Talk from 2012 in the context of a discussion about storytelling. It reminded of how great his presentation was. So great, when I went into the archives to check the series I ran at the time, I had actually taken the

Script Analysis: “Looper” — Part 1: Scene By Scene Breakdown

Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown Tuesday: Major Plot Points Wednesday: Sequences Thursday: Themes Friday: Takeaways Today: Scene-By-Scene

Classic 40s Movie: “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir”

September is Classic 40s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Annie Wood. Title: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir Year: 1947 Writer: Philip Dunne from the novel by R.A. Dick Lead Actors: Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz Plot Summary: In 1900, a young widow

On Writing

“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.” — Ernest Hemingway Via Advice To Writers

Daily Dialogue — September 7, 2015

EXT. NORMAN CAY — BAHAMAS — DUSK George cruises through the turquoise water of the Caribbean in a sport fisherman. Before him is Norman Cay. White sand beaches. Beautiful. Pristine. Waiting for him is Cesar. CESAR: Welcome my friend. It’s been a long time. GEORGE: Don’t touch me. INT. THE

Go Into The Story Week In Review: August 31-September 6, 2015

Links to this week’s most notable posts: Andrew Stanton, Part 1: “The Clues to a Great Story” (TED Talk) Andrew Stanton, Part 2: “The Clues to a Great Story” (TED Talk) Andrew Stanton, Part 3: “The Clues to a Great Story” (TED Talk) Andrew Stanton, Part 4: “The Clues

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 25

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight. Billy Wilder is my all-time favorite filmmaker. Consider just some of his movies: Double Indemnity (1944), Sunset Blvd. (1950), Ace in the Hole (1951), Stalag 17 (1953), Witness for the Prosecution (1957), Some Like It Hot (1959), The Apartment (1960), an

Screenwriting News (August 30-September 6)

Brian Clark psychological thriller “Sadie” going forward with ETV Films. Chris Frazier and Charlie Frazier sell thriller pitch “Heist” to Warner Bros. Pictures. Conor McPherson adapting “Artemis Fowl” for Walt Disney Pictures. Richard Naing and Ian Goldberg set up horror thriller pitch “Cropsey” at DreamWorks Studios. Aaron Sorkin writing Untitled

Classic 40’s Movie: “Five Graves to Cairo”

September is Classic 40s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Jeff Gibson. Movie Title: Five Graves to Cairo Year: 1943 Writers: Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, based on a play by Lajos Biró Lead Actors: Franchot Tone, Anne Baxter, and Erich von Stroheim Director: Billy Wilder Plot Summary:

Interview (Video): Diablo Cody (“Rikki and the Flash”)

A DP/30 interview with Diablo Cody (Juno, Young Adult) about her new movie Rikki and the Flash: For more DP/30 interviews, go here.

Daily Dialogue — September 6, 2015

“Now, I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country. Men, all this stuff you’ve heard about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of

Classic 40s Movie: “The Maltese Falcon”

September is Classic 40s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Roy Gordon. Movie Title: The Maltese Falcon Year: 1941 Writers: John Huston, based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett Lead Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre and Sidney (see trailer) Greenstreet Director: John Huston Plot Summary: When