Go Into The Story

30 Rock Protest Draws Big Names & Huge Crowds In NYC

Dispatches from the picket lines, Day 22

Screenwriting 101: Sophia Lopez

“A lot of people are like, ‘I don’t want to be too conventional. I want to do something really mind‑blowing.’ But it’s like, ‘If you don’t…

Page One: “The Color Purple” (1985)

Screenplay by Menno Meyjes, novel by Alice Walker

Go Into The Story Resource: An Argument Against Screenplay Formulas

“We end up with a ceaseless cesspool of formulaic crap carving its way into and ultimately out of Hollywood movie and TV development…

Script Analysis: “Living” — Part 2: Plot

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the award-winning drama. Download. Read. Discuss.

David Zaslav Gets Booed at Boston University Graduation Amid the Writers Strike

The head of Warner Bros. Discovery took the stage in Boston for the commencement speech for the class of 2023.

The Protagonist’s Journey in Athens

A five-day screenwriting intensive university level course I will be teaching June 26-June 30, 2023.

Page One: “The Handmaid’s Tale”

Written by Bruce Miller, based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, Pilot (11/26/2016)

Script Analysis: “Living” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the award-winning drama. Download. Read. Discuss.

Go Into The Story Resource: Black List Writers on the Craft

Some of Hollywood’s top screenwriters share insights from my interviews.

“I’m a TV Writer on Food Stamps”

“While writers like me struggle to make ends meet, Hollywood studios get rich off the content we create.”

On Writing

“I used to have a little studio in Brooklyn, a couple of blocks from my house — no telephone, not much else. The only thing I ever did…

Page One: “Grey’s Anatomy”

Written by Shonda Rhimes, Pilot (10/1/2004)

Go Into The Story Resource: The Story Behind Script Coverage

Script readers are Hollywood’s threshold guardians, so it behooves writers to try to understand their mindset.

Go Into The Story Interview: Kevin Sheridan

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Colors of Authority.

Interview: Hollywood Teamster Boss Lindsay Dougherty

Meet the Writers Strike’s Secret Weapon

20 Tips from Martin Scorsese

The writer-director of Mean Streets, Goodfellas, The Age of Innocence, and Casino with reflections on cinematic storytelling.

Page One: “Fargo”

Written by Noah Hawley, based on the film by Joel and Ethan Coen, Pilot (4/3/2013)

Go Into The Story Resource: Character Introductions

Everything you need to know about the subject… and probably more.

Interview (Part 6): Kevin Sheridan

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Colors of Authority.

Deadline’s Strike Talk Podcast With Billy Ray And Todd Garner

Week 3: MIT’s Simon Johnson on A.I. (Takeaway for Writers: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid)

Know Movies

You hear this a lot in script meetings: “It’s like that scene in…”

Page One: “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”

Written by Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna, Pilot (5/6/2015)

Go Into The Story Resource: Writing Mantras

Some writing inspiration I have picked up along the way.

Interview (Part 5): Kevin Sheridan

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Colors of Authority.