Go Into The Story

Sundays with Sidney Lumet’s “Making Movies”

A series featuring reflections on filmmaking by one of the truly great movie directors.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 20: “Platoon”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

The Theology of Cinema: Annunciation

What the Angel’s visit to Mary can teach us about the Call to Adventure.

Interview: Derek Kolstad

Three screenwriters in conversation: Ben Lustig and Jake Thornton interview Derek Kolstad of John Wick fame.

Page One: “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (2021)

Written for the screen by Joel Coen, based on the play by William Shakespeare

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 19: “Broadcast News”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Update: 2022–2023 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 2 New Scripts, 10 Total

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

Great Scene: “Fargo”

Carl and Grimsrud are stopped by a state trooper. Things get out of hand.

Interview: Tony Kushner

An in-depth conversation with the screenwriter of The Fabelmans.

Page One: “Touch of Evil” (1958)

Screenplay by Orson Welles, based on the novel “Badge Of Evil” by Whit Masterson

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 18: “North by Northwest”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

If Twitter implodes…

…here are some places online you can find me.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Lethal Weapon”

There have been many forces of nature impacting screenplay style over the years, but there are only a very few actual screenwriters to whom…

Writing and the Creative Life: Of Beginnings and Endings

Remember when you first came up with the story idea you’re currently writing? How great that felt?

Page One: “Toni Erdmann” (2016)

Screenplay by Maren Ade

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 17: “The Usual Suspects”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Screenplay: The Importance of Establishing Narrative Voice

From Page 1, Line 1, you have to convey your story’s tone and voice.

How to Break Into the Film Industry Without Any Connections

The screenwriters of the smash hit movie A Quiet Place share the ins and outs of their journey to Hollywood.

The Business of Screenwriting: Weather Vanes

“With all these smart folks around, why are there so many weather vanes?”

Page One: “Tombstone” (1993)

Written by Kevin Jarre

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 16: “Being There”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

When something happens… something ELSE happens

The dynamic dual nature of a screenplay universe.

Story Type: Chick Flick

“Slang term for a film mainly dealing with love and romance designed to appeal to a female target audience.”

Great Scene: “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”

Facing cancer, Willoughby decides to take fate into his own hands.

Page One: “Titanic” (1997)

Written by James Cameron