Go Into The Story

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 25: “The Silence of the Lambs”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“Make Me Care”

It’s probably the greatest story commandment because if a script reader cares about your characters, they will buy into your story. If they…

Story Type: Frustration Comedy

With movies, there are Genres. Cross Genres. Sub-Genres. Also Story Types. One of them: Frustration Comedy.

Writing and the Creative Life: A Playlist to Calm the Mind

A therapist suggests some music to reduce anxiety… and spur creativity.

Page One: “Troy” (2004)

Screenplay by David Benioff, poem by Homer

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 24: “The Social Network”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“Earn this.”

When it comes to a scene where a character makes a critical choice, it’s imperative that you — as the writer — have earned that moment.

Story Type: Found Footage

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

The Business of Screenwriting: “I don’t have to smell it to sell it”

An object lesson in Agent Talk.

Page One: “Tremors” (1990)

Screenplay by S.S. Wilson & Brent Maddock, story by S.S. Wilson & Brent Maddock & Ron Underwood

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 23: “Pan’s Labyrinth”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

“Fear”

A poem by Khalil Gibran describes both the Protagonist’s journey … and the writer’s journey.

Story Type: Fish Out Of Water (FOOW)

When a central character finds themselves WAY out of their natural element.

Great Scene: “Children of Men”

In the midst of a heated battle, Theo find Kee and the baby alive. Then a miracle happens…

Page One: “Trainspotting” (1996)

Screenplay by John Hodge, based on the novel by Irvine Welsh

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 22: “Double Indemnity”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

How to Decide Which Story to Write

Are you trying to figure out which of one or more stories to write next?

Story Types: Disaster

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

Screenwriting 101: Kate Marks

“I love seeing real people, the details and the quirks that they have. I pay really close attention to them. Sometimes, I write in the…

Page One: “Toy Story 3” (2010)

Screenplay by Michael Arndt, story by John Lasseter & Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 21: “When Harry Met Sally…”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Reader Question: Where do you go for inspiration when the words just aren’t coming?

What to do to break through a creative funk?

Story Type: Contained Thriller

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

On Writing

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that frustration is a part of the process. I’ve rarely written anything good that did…

Page One: “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” (2011)

Screenplay by Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan, novel by John le Carré