Go Into The Story

Lois, your query about how Todd Phillips knew this?

An insight I’ve been trying to absorb into my own daily practice of being: We are more than our thoughts.

Beyond Spellcheck

Its / It’s. There / They’re / Their. Your / You’re. These mistakes drive script readers fucking crazy.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 10

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Script Analysis: “The Lighthouse” — Part 5: Dialogue

Read and analyze the script for the hallucinatory horror movie.

Writing and the Creative Life: Get a Mentor

A mentor can help you manage the ups and downs of learning the craft and a writing career.

Daily Dialogue — April 10, 2020

“Come on.”

Writer Resource: The Fabrics of Our Life

A writing metaphor inspired by my wife who has been sewing masks in response to the current pandemic.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 9

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Script Analysis: “The Lighthouse” — Part 4: Themes

Read and analyze the script for the hallucinatory horror movie.

The Business of Screenwriting: If it ain’t got no soul, it ain’t gonna sell

The time the legendary musician Taj Mahal laid words of wisdom on me.

Daily Dialogue — April 9, 2020

“Oh, I’ll never leave Montana, brother.”

The Business of Screenwriting: If it ain’t got no soul, it ain’t gonna sell

The time the legendary musician Taj Mahal laid words of wisdom on me.

Reader Question: Do I HAVE to use INT/EXT — LOCATION — DAY/NIGHT in scene headings?

Wherein we consider selling scripts, shooting scripts, conventional wisdom, and writing whatever the hell we want.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 8

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Script Analysis: “The Lighthouse” — Part 3: Characters

Read and analyze the script for the hallucinatory horror movie.

Script To Screen: “12 Monkeys”

From the 1995 movie 12 Monkeys, screenplay by David Webb Peoples and Janet Peoples.

Daily Dialogue — April 8, 2020

Milo Dean: Have you read “Marley and Me?” Maggie Dean: Yeah. Sad. Milo Dean: Why is it sad? Maggie Dean: You don’t know what happens? Milo…

I bolton, zeroing in on the major plotline points as you have aligns nicely with the paradigm I…

I think these are the major plot points

It’s time for Pendemictv!

Check out this new online resource for anyone interested in writing TV.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 7

This is the 11th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Script Analysis: “The Lighthouse” — Part 2: Plot

Read and analyze the script for the hallucinatory horror movie.

Screenwriting 101: Wenonah Wilms

“Conflict. I know that’s trite, but it’s always in the back of my head. Ramp it up, ramp it up. My husband will read my pages. He’ll hand…

Daily Dialogue — April 7, 2020

Raymond: Of course I don’t have my underwear. I’m definitely not wearing my underwear. Charlie: I gave you a fresh pair of mine to wear…

I bolton, I’ll carry your take forward as I reflect on the script.

One thing I was surprised to see in the script: the prevalence of sexuality. Masturbation. Humping mattresses. Fantasies about mermaids…

Thanks, Paul. Good luck on your screenwriting adventure.

The Spirit of the Spec pertains to basically ANY creative endeavor, especially in this day and age when content is king… and queen, prince…