Go Into The Story

Hero’s Journey as Psychological Journey

When we think of the Hero’s Journey, what comes to mind is a geographical adventure. The Heroine starts out in their Ordinary World…

How They Write A Script: Nancy Meyers

Nancy Meyers was for many years part of the Meyers & Shyer writing team that produced numerous hit movies including Private Benjamin…

Great Scene: “Big”

The piano scene at FAO Schwartz.

Page One: “Women Talking” (2022)

Screenplay by Sarah Polley and Miriam Toews, based on Toews’ book

2023 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 4

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

60 Second Screenwriter: What is “high concept?”

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in one minute.

Walter Murch and The Rule of Six

When this notable figure in cinema talks editing… think screenwriting.

Great Scene: “Annie Hall”

The movie Annie Hall (1977) has a scene that is perhaps the best pedagogical tool to convey what subtext is.

Page One: “The Woman King” (2022)

Screenplay by Dana Stevens, story by Maria Bello and Dana Stevens

2023 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 3

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Best Writing Approach: Routine or Ritual?

I am fascinated by creativity, in particular how creativity manifests itself in the wide variety of people I meet or learn about. That has…

How to Use Go Into The Story: Watch Movies, Read Scripts, Write Pages, Study the Craft, Study the…

A five-part series to help you navigate through 30,000 blog articles.

Great Scene: “A Few Good Men”

A classic Sorkin moment marked by crackling dialogue and raw emotion.

Page One: “Woman in Gold” (2015)

Written by Alexi Kaye Campbell

2023 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 2

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Learn a Character-Driven Approach to Screenplay Structure

My upcoming one-week online Core: Plot class begins Monday, January 16.

Great Scene: “A Clockwork Orange”

Some great scenes stick with us, seared into our memories, despite — or because of — the fact that they prove difficult to watch. Such is…

Screenwriting 101: Tony Gilroy

“I like to build out small. I like to start with small things in big environments, and then just molecularly follow them out. You set these…

Page One: “Zero Dark Thirty” (2012)

Written by Mark Boal

2023 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 1

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

Update: 2022–2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 31 Total, 4 New Scripts

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Great Scene: “(500) Days of Summer”

Tom’s best day ever plays out as a music video accompanied by Hall & Oates.

On Writing

“For me, writing a book is not about knowing something and then conveying it. It’s certainly not about getting away with something. It’s a…

Page One: “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971)

Screenplay by Roald Dahl, based on his book

How to Use Go Into The Story (Part 5): Learn the Business

Some end of the year advice for blog readers.