Go Into The Story

Page One: “Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi” (1983)

Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas, story by George Lucas

Reader Question: Should I write a big budget spec script or not?

Write what you’re passionate about, but there are some good reasons to balance that by putting on your producer’s hat.

How To Read A Screenplay (Part 1): The First Pass

There are multiple layers to any story. The more you dig, the deeper your understanding.

Great Scene: “To Kill A Mockingbird”

“To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. The State has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the…

On Writing

“Characters don’t stand nose to nose and take turns speaking. People are selfish. So too are characters. Characters want to talk. They want…

Page One: “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982)

Screenplay by Jack B. Sowards, story by Harve Bennett and Jack B. Sowards, based on the TV series created by Gene Roddenberry

Sundays with Sidney Lumet’s “Making Movies”

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

Video: 10 Screenwriting Tips from Billy Wilder

Advice from the writer-director of such notable moves as Double Indeminty, Some Like It Hot, and The Apartment.

The Value of Three Scripts

You write, you learn. And three scripts is a good starting point for grasping the craft.

“Raising the Stakes” video series

The entire three-year series of screenwriting videos from Black List screenwriter Jonathan Stokes.

Rita, first off, congratulations on winning Best of Show.

Thanks!

Page One: “A Star Is Born” (2018)

Screenplay by Eric Roth and Bradley Cooper & Will Fetters, based on 1954 screenplay by Moss Hart, based on 1976 screenplay by John Gregory…

Quentin Tarantino: “When I read ‘Hard Times,’ I could see what a script could be.”

The filmmaker talks about the impact the script for the 1975 movie had on him.

Conscious Goal, Unconscious Goal

A deeper examination of a character’s Want and Need.

Great Scene: “The Babadook”

A nighttime visit from The Babadook.

Interview (Video): Lisa Joy

From Season 12 of the PBS series “On Story.”

Page One: “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985)

Written by Joel Schumacher & Carl Kurlander

Gary, you may find this series I featured on my blog on the Heroine's Journey.

https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/the-heroines-journey-2a7131b69fbb

Page One: “Spotlight” (2015)

Written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy

Writing and the Creative Life: Creativity-In-Action

“Creativity requires more than a dream. In many cases, people struggle to turn their dreams into a reality not because they lack ambition…

Handling Rejection

It can motivate… debilitate… or take a long time to see its meaning.

Writing Mantra: “The story rules”

The first and last commandment of writing.

How to Generate and Critique Story Ideas (Part 5): Gender-Bending

Changing the gender isn’t a minor thing, rather it can alter the entire landscape of a story.

What is the connection between the Protagonist and the inciting incident?

“The inciting incident raises this question of the Protagonist’s journey: ‘Why does this story have to happen to this character at this…

How to Generate and Critique Story Ideas (Part 4): Titles

A great title can lead to a great story idea and a great script. It can suggest a plot, key characters, the central conceit and story…