Go Into The Story

Interview (Video): Chloé Zhao

The writer-director of The Rider, Nomadland, and Eternals in conversation with Oscar-winning writer-director Barry Jenkins.

Page One: “Amélie” (2001)

Scenario Guillaume Laurant, Jean-Pierre Jeunet

I think it all depends upon the writer.

As I say, there is no right way to write. Every writer is different. Every story is different. But certainly, a screenwriter will benefit…

This is one of those issues which boils down to the path of least resistance ...

My view is if a song really contributes to the story, either in the context of the plot or thematically, use it. Don't let supposed…

Interview (Video): Chats from the Greenhills

A thirty-plus minute interview with me.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 15

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Make Words Your Friend

“Putting one right word after another” — that is so right. When you bust it all down, writing is about choosing words. A writer can choose…

Writing and the Creative Life: Structure and Freedom

Words of creative wisdom the great 20th century composer Igor Stravinsky.

Page One: “Aladdin” (1992)

Screenplay by Ron Clements & John Musker and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio

Find Your Writer’s Voice

I hear this a lot in conversations with writers, but mostly with managers, agents, and producers. They’re looking for writers who cover a…

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 14

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”

The ending sequence includes a most interesting sentence…

The Business of Screenwriting: Weather Vanes

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

Page One: “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994)

Screenplay by Tom Shadyac, Jim Carrey, story by Jack Bernstein

The Importance of Subplots

An in-depth exploration of the value of these mini-stories.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 13

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Create an argument

Let’s say you’re stuck writing a flat scene. No matter how you’ve approached it, the scene just lays there.

Great Scene: “North by Northwest”

It was one of the scenes which inspired Hitchcock to make the movie.

Page One: “You Can Count on Me” (2000)

Written by Kenneth Lonergan

Think Concepts

The foundation of a good script is a strong story concept.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 12

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Spec Script Deal: “Foreign and Familiar”

Monarch Media acquires comedy spec script “Foreign and Familiar” written by Leah Kunnath. Via Deadline:

Screenwriting 101: Alvin Sargent

“I think too many people are too organized; they’ve got it all worked out, instead of hearing their characters first. Get the goop out…

Page One: “The Abyss” (1989)

Written by James Cameron

What makes a movie a big budget and a small budget?

There are critical choices a writer can make at the script stage which directly influence a project’s budget… and its potential viability…