Go Into The Story

Page One: “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)

Written by Robert Rodat

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 4)

“I get a general idea of what the beginning, the middle and the end will be. Then I want to plow through the first draft as quickly as…

Reader Question: How to raise the stakes in the plot?

One suggestion: Focus on and elevate the Protagonist’s psychological stakes.

Writing Monologues

Don’t do it… unless your character mandates you do it. Then if you do it… write the ever-loving hell out of it.

Crafting an Effective Series of Shots / Montage

The subject came up recently. Here are two clips from the movie Chocolat. They’re both great and provide some good takeaways for…

Page One: “Saving Mr. Banks” (2013)

Written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 3)

“I’ve found that I’m a terrible outliner. Whenever I outline a story, it invariably changes while I’m writing the script. That’s just the…

Reader Question: Advice for someone wanting to give writing a full-time shot?

First and foremost, you have to want it. I mean really want it. The competition is fierce. Think of it this way: Any time you aren’t…

The Importance of a Strong Story Concept

“It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of a story idea to the eventual success of a spec script.”

Script To Screen: “Up”

From the 2009 Pixar movie Up, screenplay by Bob Peterson and Pete Docter, story by Peter Docter and Bob Peterson & Thomas McCarthy, the…

Page One: “Rushmore” (1998)

Written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 2)

“You have to have a grasp on the characters because the characters will create the plot.”

The Importance of Persistence in a Writer’s Life

“PERSIST on telling your story. PERSIST on reaching your audience. PERSIST on staying true to your vision.”

Great Scene: “Fight Club”

One of the most effective ways to begin a script is to start at the ending. And one of the best scenes that opens with the ending is in the…

Screenwriting 101: Eric Heisserer

“If I could figure that out then I would be able repeat that process ad nauseam until I had a giant library of ideas. I don’t know how they…

Page One: “Some Like It Hot” (1959)

Screenplay by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, suggested by a story by Robert Thoeren and Michael Logan

Pound Out That First Draft!

Go from FADE IN to FADE OUT in my upcoming online writing workshop. Starts August 23!

Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 1)

“I’ll consume everything from biographies and memoirs to archival news clipping and documentaries. It’s about mastering a field of study…

Reader Question: When can you stop tinkering with a script and finally say “done”?

And for a writer, what the hell does “done” mean?

On Writing

“Pace is crucial. Fine writing isn’t enough. Writing students can be great at producing a single page of well-crafted prose; what they…

Page One: “Prometheus” (2012)

Written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof, based on elements created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett

EM, you highlighted three key elements for a story:

* Appealing character

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 Concept

“It comes from a place of some question or theme I want to explore. And then, just by keeping my eyes peeled– listening to music or reading…

The Theology of Cinema: Chosen

The archetype of the Chosen One is common to movies, echoing the Messiah figure in ancient religions.