Go Into The Story

Interview (Written): Leigh Whannell

Conversation with the writer-director of The Invisible Man.

Daily Dialogue — February 29, 2020

“Would it were so simple.”

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Character Development

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Script Analysis: “Us” — Part 5: Dialogue

Read the script for the hit horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele.

Writing and the Creative Life: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”

Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, and story as psychological journey.

Daily Dialogue — February 28, 2020

Jean: Do you ever think about the future at all? Llewyn: The future? You mean like flying cars? Hotels on the moon? Tang?

Script Analysis: “Us” — Part 4: Themes

Read the script for the hit horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Genre Bend

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

The Business of Screenwriting: Flavor-Of-The-Week

If you sell a spec script in Hollywood, you will take LOTS of meetings.

Daily Dialogue — February 27, 2020

“God damn you, Walter! You fucking asshole! Everything’s a fucking travesty with you, man! And what was all that shit about Vietnam? What…

What is the difference between Act One midpoint and Act One end?

“Something happens. An event that precipitates a change in the Protagonist’s life circumstances.”

Script Analysis: “Us” — Part 3: Characters

Read the script for the hit horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Gender Bend

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Great Scenes: “Big”

The piano scene at FAO Schwartz.

Daily Dialogue — February 26, 2020

“So, that was Mrs. Lundegaard on the floor in there. And I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper. And those three people in…

Interview: Kelly O’Sullivan, Alex Thompson, and James Choi

A conversation with the writer-actor, director, and producer of the new indie drama comedy Saint Frances which opens in select theaters…

Script Analysis: “Us” — Part 2: Plot

Read the script for the hit horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele.

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Script Diary

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Screenwriting 101: Sam Baron

“There are some great quotes that I always keep in mind. One is the David Mamet quote ‘Who needs what from whom, and what will happen if…

Daily Dialogue — February 25, 2020

“You seek a great fortune, you three who are now in chains. You will find a fortune, though it will not be the one you seek. But first……

2020 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge: Story Prep — Index Cards!

A series to help prepare writers for next month’s Zero Draft Thirty writing challenge.

Script Analysis: “Us”

Read the script for the hit horror movie written and directed by Jordan Peele.

Go Into The Story Interview: Sean Malcolm

My interview with the 2019 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

On Writing

“The only thing I’ve got better at as the years have gone by is I’ve grown more resigned to the fact that it comes hard. You realize that…

Daily Dialogue — February 24, 2020

Tom holds Bernie at gunpoint, and walks him out deeper into the forest.