Go Into The Story

Script Analysis: “Everything Everywhere All At Once” — Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

The Business of Screenwriting: It’s not just about the script

Yes, you should focus on your spec script, but there’s much more to learn.

Go Into The Story Interview: Jonathan Levine

My interview with the 2022 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Page One: “The Mummy Returns” (2001)

Written by Stephen Sommers

The Inward Path of the Protagonist’s Journey

Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell remind us that the outer journey of the hero is about the inner journey into the Self.

Go Into The Story Interview: Michael Kujak

My conversation with the 2021 Black List writer.

Script Analysis: “Arrival” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Page One: “The Mummy” (2017)

Screenplay by David Koepp and Christopher McQuarrie and Dylan Kussman, screen story by Jon Spaihts and Alex Kurtzman & Jenny Lumet

Go from Fade In to Fade Out This Summer!

Knock out a first draft of your feature film script project in my upcoming online writing workshop. Starts July 21st!

Screenwriting 101: Philip Dunne

“If you get an idea in the middle of the night, it’s a good idea to get up and write it down, or it’s gone. There’s a famous story about a…

Script Analysis: “Aftersun” — Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

Page One: “Mr. Turner” (2014)

Written by Mike Leigh

Tarantino, Sorkin, and Dialogue as Purpose

Analysis of long dialogue-centric scenes in The Social Network and Pulp Fiction reveals that underneath the entertaining conversations lies…

Go Into The Story Interview: Laura Kosann

My interview with the writer who not only was named a 2021 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting recipient, but also had two scripts make…

On Writing

“I think that to write well and convincingly, one must be somewhat poisoned by emotion. Dislike, displeasure, resentment fault-finding…

Page One: “Mr. Right” (2015)

Written by Max Landis

Plotter versus Pantser

A writer who focuses on novels and short stories asks which approach screenwriters take.

Screenwriting 101: Philip Dunne

“Never leave a scene by the same door you came in. Every scene should advance the story. The other thing… let the characters tell the…

Go Into The Story Interview: Stefan Jaworski

My interview with 2021 Black List writers for his script Mercury.

Page One: “Mr. Nobody” (2009)

Written by Jaco Van Dormael

“How do I know when I’ve done enough character work …”

Great question! One that arose in the current Character Development Keys course in one of our active message board discussions. Here is my…

“Sorry, Baby”: This Summer’s Must-See Movie

It hits theaters in North America the weekend of July 4th. Please see this movie. It’s wonderful.

Great Scene: “Bonnie and Clyde”

The famous — and bloody — ending of the groundbreaking 1967 film.

Page One: “Motor City”

Written by Chad St. John

There is no right way to write

Learn all you can, but ultimately it’s about your Stories and your Creative Self.