Go Into The Story

The Theology of Cinema: Baptism

Plunged beneath the water as the trial. Rising up reborn as a New Person.

Linda Woolverton: “We need originality. We need new stories.”

The screenwriter of such Disney hits as The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, and Maleficent speaks out.

Interview: Mike Flanagan

A /film Q&A with the writer who adapted Stephen King’s novel Doctor Sleep.

Daily Dialogue — October 27, 2019

Dewey Finn: Yes! But, you can’t just say it, man. You’ve gotta feel it in your blood and guts! If you wanna rock, you gotta break the…

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: Midway in the Photoplay [Part 2]

“If the characters are not real enough to you to predominate the story, the photoplay will be without the vital human appeal which sells…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Nightmare

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,181 consecutive days and counting.

Studies in Voice-Over Narration (5 Part Series)

The Shawshank Redemption, Double Indemnity, Fight Club, American Beauty, A Christmas Story

Daily Dialogue — October 26, 2019

“See, Mr. Turner, that rocket fell for about fourteen seconds, which means that it flew to an altitude of 3,000 feet. According to the…

Cameron, Chris created a path for himself by taking up directing.

Identify what your “abilities” are and grow them. Refine them. Develop them. That’s why I included a link to my post “Learn the craft.”…

Tweetstorm: Chris McQuarrie on the “Secret to a Rewarding Career in Film”

“It’s infinitely harder to sell a screenplays than it is to sell one’s proven abilities.”

Studies in voice-over narration: “A Christmas Story”

Part 5 of a five-part series on movies where voice-over narration works.

Writing and the Creative Life: “4 Sure-Fire Ways to Stimulate Creativity”

Sadly, bourbon is not one of them.

Daily Dialogue — October 25, 2019

“I am sick of your foul language, your crude behavior and your sluttish manner. There are certain things a decent woman keeps private, and…

Screenplay: The Importance of Establishing Narrative Voice

From Page 1, Line 1, you have to convey your story’s tone and voice.

Studies in Voice-Over Narration: “American Beauty”

Part 4 of a five-part series on movies where voice-over narration works.

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything You Wanted to Know About Specs [Part 4]

“There are all these financiers and financier-driven projects we’re having a lot of luck with outside of the studios. Last year, we sold a…

Daily Dialogue — October 24, 2019

“Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau…

When something happens… something ELSE happens

The dynamic dual nature of a screenplay universe.

Studies in Voice-Over Narration: “Fight Club”

Part 3 of a five-part series on movies where voice-over narration works.

Great Scene: “A Quiet Place”

In a brief respite from the monster’s violence, Evelyn and Lee confront the pain of the past as it exists in the present… and their…

Daily Dialogue — October 23, 2019

Ed Avery: Childhood is a congenital disease and the purpose of education is to cure it. I see my point of view is new to many of you. But…

Mark, you can certainly look at the entire family as a collective Protagonist because at the end of…

I just find it interesting to explore the individual tracks each character goes on. On two extremes, we have Grandpa and Frank. The former…

Mark, thanks for your response.

So yes, a helpful exercise and props to you for discussing it here.

The Protagonist’s Journey: “We are not prisoners of that room”

A reflection on Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Letters to a Young Poet”

Studies in Voice-Over Narration: “Double Indemnity”

Part 2 of a five-part series on movies where voice-over narration works.