Go Into The Story

Daily Dialogue — April 3, 2020

Loki: Why did you run away from me the other night?  Taylor: I’ve never seen you before. You sure you got the right house?  Loki: You do…

Reader Question: How important is a logline in a query letter?

“The simple fact is the logline is the single most important aspect of any query letter.”

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 2

This is the 10th 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: “Joker” — Part 4: Themes

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.

The Business of Screenwriting: “I don’t have to smell it to sell it”

An object lesson in Agent Talk.

Daily Dialogue — April 2, 2020

Neo: I know what you’re trying to do. Morpheus: I’m trying to free your mind, Neo. I can only show you the door. You’re the one who has to…

Character Archetypes: “The Wizard of Oz”

Over the years, I’ve analyzed dozens of movies through the lens of five primary character archetypes: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 1

This is the 10th 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…

Script Analysis: “Joker” — Part 3: Characters

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.

Great Scene: “The Dark Knight”

“And you know the thing about chaos, Harvey? It’s fair. You live. You die.”

Daily Dialogue — April 1, 2020

“I’d like to move in on her right now, tonight.”

John McLane’s arc in “Die Hard”

One of the reasons the movie works so well is the Protagonist’s arc.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 31

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

Script Analysis: “Joker” — Part 2: Plot

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.

Screenwriting 101: Cesar Vitale

“I get really frustrated when I watch a film and I can’t really tell what it’s about, even if it’s some vague sense of emotion. I have to…

Daily Dialogue —March 31, 2020

Woo: Put your diapers on, Lebowski. Jackie Treehorn wants to see you. Blond: Jackie Treehorn knows which Lebowski you are, Lebowski. Woo…

After having seen the movie, reading the script really puts a spotlight on Joker’s character arc.

In Joker, we even see it in the script’s use of name change: For much of the script, he is called Arthur. Eventually, his character name is…

Write a Worthy Nemesis

Workshop your story’s antagonist character in my 1-week online course. Begins Monday, April 6th.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 30

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

Script Analysis: “Joker” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Read and analyze the script for the Award-winning film.

On Writing

“You better make them care about what you think. It had better be quirky or perverse or thoughtful enough so that you hit some chord in…

Daily Dialogue — March 30, 2020

“Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in. Not by the hair of your chiny-chin-chin? Well then, I’ll huff and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your…

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 29

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

Go Into The Story Script Reading & Analysis: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”

The entire 6 part series delving into the award-winning film.

Great Scene: “Dog Day Afternoon”

“Attica! Attica! Attica!”