Go Into The Story

Writing Tip: To Write, Stop Thinking

Think character. Think plot. Think theme. But when you sit down to write, don’t think… feel.

An Apple TV+ Executive Talks Streaming, the Strike & Global Television

This Q&A shows how far removed execs are from the experience of actual human beings who write and create TV and film stories.

Screenwriting 101: Steven Soderbergh

“I may be the Neville Chamberlain of this subject, but I am not afraid of A.I. in this specific context. It has no life experience. It’s…

Page One: “Drag Me to Hell” (2009)

Written by Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi

Tim, what you write is both painful and true.

It may not be many writers, but the fact remains, if you write something the companies want, that is a clear opening to breaking into the…

My Teaching Schedule

Two online workshops this summer… my only ones in 2023! Plus, my series of 10 one-week online Craft classes!

Writing Tips: Deep Work vs. Shallow Work

As writers, we need to protect time for the former from the encroachment of the latter. Here are four strategies to do precisely that.

Why We Strike

Read stories from Hollywood writers about how the companies have broken the business.

On Writing

“Writing can be a very dramatic pursuit, full of catastrophes and disasters and emotion and attempts that fail. My path as a writer became…

Page One: “Draft Day” (2014)

Written by Scott Rothman & Rajiv Joseph

How Consumers and Creators Soured on Streaming

Consider this history lesson from the Los Angeles Times.

Go Into The Story Interview: Jonathan Levine

My interview with the 2022 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Script To Screen: “The Third Man”

Occasionally, I like to feature excerpts from screenplays from eras gone by. First, I happen to love all movies, including old ones…

Interview: Wes Anderson

A conversation with the writer-director of the new film Asteroid City.

Page One: “Downton Abbey” (2019)

Screenplay by Julian Fellowes, based on the television series created by Julian Fellowes

Meet The Strippers Union Backing the Writers Strike

The country’s only currently unionized group of strippers pole-danced in solidarity with the writers on June 15.

Interview (Part 6): Jonathan Levine

My interview with the 2022 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Script to Screen: “Three Kings”

From the 1999 movie Three Kings, screenplay by David O. Russell, story by John Ridley.

Interview: Celine Song

Conversation with the writer-director of the wonderful film Past Lives.

Page One: “Downsizing” (2017)

Written by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor

Switch Protagonists

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

Interview (Part 5): Jonathan Levine

My interview with the 2022 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

WGA Strike: International Day of Solidarity

Photos from all around the world provide inspiration for writers in our ongoing struggle with the AMPTP.

Mind Wandering

“What no [spouse] of a writer can ever understand is that a writer is working when he’s staring out of the window.”

Page One: “Don’t Look Up” (2021)

Screenplay by Adam McKay, story by Adam McKay & David Sirota