Go Into The Story

Great Scene: “Collateral”

Three guys, late night bar, Miles Davis… and an assassination.

Page One: “Scream” (1996)

Written by Kevin Williamson

The Power of Structured Procrastination

“The beauty of the structured procrastination method is that it recognizes the extreme challenge in changing that pro-tomorrow vein, and…

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 2)

“I find that by starting with theme, you instantly gravitate towards a character who is almost at an opposite place to deal with that…

Spec Script Deal: “The Vampire Asset”

Code Entertainment acquires action spec script “The Vampire Asset” written by Jonathan Stokes. Via Deadline:

Screenwriting 101: Bong Joon-ho

“My films are always based on misunderstanding — the audience is the one who knows more, and the characters have a difficult time…

Page One: “Schindler’s List” (1993)

Screenplay by Steven Zaillian, novel by Thomas Keneally

What Type of Scene Is It?

“It is important to understand what type of scene you’re dealing with because each requires a slightly different approach when you write…

Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 1)

“If I’m creating a character from scratch, I’ll usually start by thinking about people I know, or I’ll use some version of myself, mining…

Reader Question: Does a writer have any control over casting decisions?

A question via email from Z.D.:

On Writing

“If you want to concentrate deeply on some problem, and especially some piece of writing or paper-work, you should acquire a cat. Alone…

Page One: “Scent of a Woman” (1992)

Screenplay by Bo Goldman, novel by Giovanni Arpino

Sundays with Stephen King’s “On Writing”

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

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep

“Once I have a solid structure in place, I can go to pages and put all my focus on the emotional arcs of the story.”

The Theology of Cinema: Congregation

In giving themselves over to a larger cause, the individuals forge themselves together as a congregation.

The Low-Down on High Concept

A high concept screenplay must have a clean, simple, and basic idea.

Page One: “Scarface” (1983)

Screenplay by Oliver Stone

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 6)

“Structure is so important in visual storytelling, and your structure lives or dies by your outline.”

Action Writing in a Screenplay

“More and more, we see an embrace of action writing where the writer in effect directs the action through lines and paragraphs.”

Video: Robert Altman, Peter Bogdanovich, Mel Brooks, and Frank Capra

A 1972 appearance on The Dick Cavett Show.

Page One: “Say Anything” (1989)

Written by Cameron Crowe

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 5)

“Usually I’ll start with a one page synopsis, just the basic beats of the story. Then I go to note cards, and then I go to a full outline.”

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything You Wanted to Know About Specs

Part 13: Targeting Specific Buyers

Writing and the Creative Life: The Joy of Running… Creatively Speaking

“Does some creative block have you feeling stuck? Go for a run. Are you deliberating between one of two potentially life-altering…

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”

Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, and story as psychological journey.