Go Into The Story

Page One: “Call Me by Your Name” (2017)

Screenplay by James Ivory, novel by André Aciman

Interview: Linh Tran

An exclusive Go Into The Story Q&A with DePaul University MFA in Directing graduate on her award-winning short film Dinner.

Script Analysis: “The Big Sick” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 9(C): Episodic

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Writing and the Creative Life: The act of writing provides health benefits

“From long-term health improvements to short-term benefits like sleeping better, it’s official: Writers are doing something right.”

Page One: “The Cabin in the Woods” (2011)

Written by Joss Whedon & Drew Goddard

Script Analysis: “The Big Short” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 9(B): Possibility, Probability and Necessity

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Spec Script Deal: “Lady Krylon”

Stampede Ventures acquires drama thriller spec script “Lady Krylon” written by Brandon Constantine. Via Deadline:

The Business of Screenwriting: Celebrate your victories

Based on my experiences as a screenwriter in Hollywood, there are many things I can advise you to do that are not particularly enjoyable…

Page One: “Burn After Reading” (2008)

Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

J, 1K+ workshops?

For example, it took me 10+ years to discover screenwriting. So professionally, I've always been a decade behind my peers. Certainly, that…

Update: 2021–2022 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 3 New Scripts, 14 Total

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

Script Analysis: “Belle” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 9(A): Poet and Historian

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Reader Question: What role does formal education have toward working as a screenwriter?

How important is college or film school for a writer trying to break into Hollywood?

Page One: “The Bucket List” (2007)

Written by Justin Zackham

WGA’s 101 Greatest Screenplays of the 21st Century (*so far)

Yesterday, the Writers Guild of America announced their latest list of greatest screenplays: This one for the 21st century… so far.

Script Analysis: “Beginners” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” —Part 8: Unity

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Screenwriting 101: Dana Coen

“Writing on a staff is very different than writing features by yourself. You’re beholden to so many people and levels of expectation. And…

Page One: “The Brothers Bloom” (2008)

Written by Rian Johnson

Unpacking the Mysteries of Screenplay Time

Flashback, Flashforward, Set-Up / Payoff, Callback, Montage, Series of Shots, Cross Cut, Visual-to-Visual Transition, Audio-to- Audio…

Script Analysis: “Beasts of No Nation” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 7(C): Story Length and Change of Fortune

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…