Go Into The Story

Screenplay Primers

A helpful series on the screenwriting craft from the good people at the Writers Guild Foundation.

Interview (Written): Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

A Hollywood Reporter conversation with the filmmakers who wrote and directed the movie 65.

Page One: “Battlefield Earth” (2000)

Screenplay by Corey Mandell and J.D. Shapiro, novel by L. Ron Hubbard

Screenwriting as Scene-Writing

My unique 1-week online course begins Monday, March 27th.

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 17

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview (Part 5): Miguel Flatow

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Viva, Mexico!

Writing and the Creative Life: Need writing inspiration? Go to an airport.

All those arrivals and departures represent a non-stop flow of stories.

Page One: “Beasts of No Nation” (2015)

Written for the screen by Cary Joji Fukunaga, based on the novel by Uzodinma Iweala

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 16

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview (Part 4): Miguel Flatow

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Viva, Mexico!

Screenwriting Mantra: Writing as a Protagonist’s journey

Most stories involve a Protagonist going on a journey. Whether it’s physical, spiritual, geographical, symbolic or all of the above, a…

The Business of Screenwriting: Going to the Movies

One of the most important ways you can learn the craft of screenwriting is by watching movies. Studying them. Breaking them down sequence…

Page One: “Badlands” (1973)

Written by Terrence Malick

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 15

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview (Part 3): Miguel Flatow

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Viva, Mexico!

Reader Question: How to write lean, yet not lose nuance and subtlety?

It’s all about this screenwriting mantra: Minimum words. Maximum impact.

Thanks, Anne, for that response.

We all have parent issues.

Hollywood tales

“The presence of oranges in all three Godfather movies indicates that a death or a close call will soon happen. The Senator is framed for…

Page One: “Army of Darkness” (1992)

Written by Sam Raimi& Ivan Raimi

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 14

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Interview (Part 2): Miguel Flatow

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Viva, Mexico!

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Make a Collage

Remember your first day in third grade? And your teacher… you know, the new one fresh out of college with boundless enthusiasm and…

Screenwriting 101: Ron Shelton

“The cliché about the studio grinder — that it will take an idea and beat it up until it’s unrecognizable — well, there’s truth to it…

Page One: “Arbitrage” (2012)

Written by Nicholas Jarecki

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 13

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.