Go Into The Story

Page One: “The Addams Family” (1991)

Written by Caroline Thompson & Larry Wilson, characters by Charles Addams

A Simple Writing Technique to Get Your Characters Talking to You … and Win Free Beer!

I’m not kidding. An anecdote from my days as a grad student at Yale.

Script Analysis: “Aftersun” — Part 6: Takeaways

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the critically acclaimed horror-thriller. Download. Read. Discuss.

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: 1 Page Per Day

1 month prep + 4 months writing + 1 month rewriting = 2 scripts per year.

Interview: Craig Mazin

A conversation with the co-creator of the hit HBO TV series The Last of Us.

Page One: “Absolute Power” (1997)

Screenplay by William Goldman, novel by David Baldacci

As noted in previous responses this week, the specter of Calum's death weaves in and out of the…

CALUM

Thanks, Jacobo.

I’d like to focus on the dramatic irony created by the looming specter of Calum’s death. There is the certain knowledge of his death as…

The story has an intriguing structure as there are three storylines:

--Young Sophie: While spending the majority of her time with her father Calum, she also explores her emerging sexuality, specifically in…

Here is a plot synopsis provided as part of the film's marketing materials:

At a fading vacation resort in the late 1990s, 11-year-old Sophie (Frankie Corio) treasures rare time together with her loving and…

How to Discover a Character’s Humanity

A writing exercise which helps you tap into a character’s inner life.

Script Analysis: “Aftersun” — Part 5: Dialogue

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the critically acclaimed horror-thriller. Download. Read. Discuss.

Great Scene: “The Thing From Another World”

An excellent example of visual storytelling.

Are You a Push Writer or a Pull Writer?

Do you do your best creative work when you’re pushed… or pulled?

Page One: “8 Mile” (2002)

Written by Scott Silver

The Difference Between a Character’s Want and Need

One is a conscious goal. The other is an unconscious goal.

Script Analysis: “Aftersun” — Part 4: Themes

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the critically acclaimed horror-thriller. Download. Read. Discuss.

Great Scene: “Thief”

What makes a great movie scene? Why do they work? What are their narrative elements that elevate them to greatness? Let’s face it: In a…

The Business of Screenwriting: Bidding War

They don’t happen in Hollywood as often as they used to … but a hot spec script can still generate interest with multiple buyers.

Page One: “47 Ronin” (2013)

Screenplay by Chris Morgan and Hossein Amini, screen story by Chris Morgan & Walter Hamada

What do you want the audience to feel…

…when they walk out of the theater at the end of your movie?

Script Analysis: “Aftersun” — Part 3: Character

A week-long analysis of the screenplay for the critically acclaimed horror-thriller. Download. Read. Discuss.

Great Scene: “There’s Something About Mary”

Ah, the infamous hair gel scene.

Hollywood Tale

Peter Jackson had been developing Lord of the Rings at Miramax when one day he was called into a meeting where they informed him they…

Page One: “28 Days” (2000)

Written by Susannah Grant