Go Into The Story

On Writing

“Everyone tells you to write what you know. It’s the tried-and-true advice every writer hears at some point in her career. But to take my…

Page One: “The Two Popes” (2019)

Written by Anthony McCarten

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

A series featuring reflections on writing from the famed author’s memoir.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 19

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

The Theology of Cinema: Hell

“What if we think of Act Two as Hell?”

Script To Screen: “As Good As It Gets”

The final scene from the 1997 movie As Good As It Gets, written by Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks.

Page One: “The Town” (2010)

Screenplay by Peter Craig and Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard, novel by Chuck Hogan

Movie Script Scene-By-Scene Breakdowns

A great way to analyze screenplay structure is by studying a script’s scene-by-scene breakdown. Go Into The Story followers are…

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 18

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Great Scene: “Boogie Nights”

A drug deal goes south to the strains of Jessie’s Girl.

2021 Santa Barbara International Film Festival Writers Panel

Spend 100+ minutes watching a conversation between the screenwriters of award-winning movies including The Trial of the Chicago 7, Sound of…

Page One: “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (2018)

Written by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

2021 Scene-Writing Challenge

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 17

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

So-Called Screenwriting ‘Rules’

A comprehensive 15-part series on supposed screenwriting ‘rules,’ hopefully to put things into proper perspective: Tools, not rules.

Writing and the Creative Life: Your characters want you to tell their story

Lean into your characters. After all, it’s their story.

Page One: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)

written by James Cameron, William Wisher

2021 Scene-Writing Challenge

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 16

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Reader Question: Who is the Nemesis in “character driven” films?

Is it necessary for more character-oriented movies to feature a specific Antagonist figure?

The Business of Screenwriting: It’s not just about the script

Yes, you should focus on your spec script, but there’s much more to learn.

Page One: “Tender Mercies” (1983)

Written by Horton Foote

2021 Scene-Writing Challenge

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

2021 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 15

One month. FADE IN to FADE OUT. Creativity meets Productivity.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Wall-E”

I have discussed the writing style of the Pixar film Wall-E before: here, here, and here. On the subject of scene description, here’s a…