Go Into The Story

Reader Question: What can a writer learn from reading a script while watching the movie at the…

An in-depth analysis of the opening sequence in The Shawshank Redemption demonstrates the value of this learning exercise.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 24

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

Script Analysis: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — Part 2: Plot

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

Screenwriting 101: Elizabeth Chomko

Write. Write write write — grocery lists, journal entries, emails, short stories, whatever, it doesn’t matter. Write at every opportunity…

Daily Dialogue — March 24, 2020

Jerry: Oh no you don’t! Osgood, I’m gonna level with you. We can’t get married at all. Osgood: Why not? Jerry: Well, in the first place…

Screenplay as a Series of Event-Reactions

“A movie is — in a way — simply a continuous series of event-reactions / moment-responses.”

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 23

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

Script Analysis: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — Part 1: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

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

On Writing

“My method is: I imagine a meter mounted in my forehead, with ‘P’ on this side (‘Positive’) and ‘N’ on this side (‘Negative’). I try to…

Daily Dialogue — March 23, 2020

Celine: Baby, you are going to miss that plane. Jesse: I know.

Great Scene: “Caddyshack”

One weird golf course maintenance dude with one weirded out caddie.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 22

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

Go Into The Story Interview: Aaron Chung

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

The Theology of Cinema

A series which explores theological themes found in movies as metaphors for philosophical and psychological dynamics writers can use in…

Daily Dialogue — March 22, 2020

Boogie: You want to bet that she goes for my pecker — first thing? Fenwick: The only hand on your pecker is going to be your own Boogie…

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 21

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

Interview (Part 6): Aaron Chung

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Final Words

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,328 consecutive days and counting.

Interview: Paul Feig

An in-depth podcast conversation with the actor-producer-writer-director whose credits include Freaks and Geeks, Bridesmaids, and Spy.

Daily Dialogue — March 21, 2020

Phil: I’m a god. Rita: You’re God? Phil: I’m a god. I’m not the God… I don’t think.

The Beginning and Ending of a Screenplay

An 8-minute video featuring… me!

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Day 20

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

Interview (Part 5): Aaron Chung

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Writing and the Creative Life: 19 Daily Habits Of Artists…

Let go of your idea of “perfect”… Allow yourself to have fun… When in doubt, ask for help… Be prepared to find inspiration in mundane…

Daily Dialogue — March 20, 2020

“I don’t want to talk about time travel because if we start talking about it then we’re going to be here all day talking about it, making…