Go Into The Story

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.

Interview (Part 1): Miguel Flatow

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

The Theology of Cinema: Doubt

We cannot know Light without Dark. Nor can we know Good without Evil. Likewise, we can not truly understand Faith without Doubt.

On Writing

“In the end, writing is like a prison, an island from which you will never be released but which is a kind of paradise: the solitude, the…

Page One: “Any Given Sunday” (1999)

Screenplay by John Logan and Oliver Stone, screen story by Daniel Pyne and John Logan

2023 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 12

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

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “Elvis”

The entire 6-part series delving into the critically acclaimed biopic. Download. Read. Discuss.