Go Into The Story

Daily Dialogue — September 18, 2019

“Such a shit day.”

Good to hear, Pat.

When I talk to Hollywood managers, which I do frequently, I hear a consistent refrain: “I’m looking for a writer with a unique voice.”

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 17

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

Conflict in Scene-Writing

As a screenwriter, it’s important to get in touch with your inner Conflict-O-Meter to ensure your scenes convey compelling drama.

Screenwriting Meta View: Separation

“Whether it’s geographical, psychological, or symbolic, the Protagonist leaves the Old World behind and enters the New World.”

Screenwriting 101: Greg Russo

“The story idea really is everything. It’s the beginning of everything we do, everything follows that idea. I can’t tell you how many ideas…

Daily Dialogue — September 17, 2019

“Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!”

Ultimately, Steven, as you know, it’s all semantics.

His Conscious Goal (Want) is to write the novel. That’s why he took the gig (ostensibly). But of all the gigs in the world, he takes *this*…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 16

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

Can a Protagonist evolve into an Antagonist?

“I prefer to look at it in Jungian terms: The Protagonist’s shadow has emerged from latency and because the Protagonist has not confronted…

Screenwriting Meta View: Life before FADE IN

In writing a screenplay, we go into the story. That’s critical in order to connect with the characters and immerse ourselves in the story…

On Writing

“You have to decide how important this is to you. If it’s important enough, you won’t have any excuses. You’ll sit in the chair as long as…

Daily Dialogue — September 16, 2019

“That was longer than a heart beat.”

Marly, thanks for sharing that anecdote and your reflections on visual and emotional storytelling.

Marly, I’d love to do a blog article featuring your post. It’s really great. Let me know if that’s okay. And thanks again for sharing!

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 15

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

Humanize Your Nemesis

We don’t need to sympathize with an Antagonist figure, but it can help to at least be able to empathize with them.

Podcast: “On Story”

A look inside the creative process from today’s leading writers and filmmakers.

Script To Screen: “The Wizard of Oz”

From the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, screenplay by Noel Langley & Florence Ryerson & Edgar Allan Woolf, adaptation by Noel Langley from…

Daily Dialogue — September 15, 2019

“What you were listening to is some kind of creative, almost X-rated radio here from Eric Swan on QSKY-FM. What I did was mix together a…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 14

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

The Key to Character Introductions

What is it we need to know about a character to help us craft an effective introduction? Their core essence.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Zombie

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,139 consecutive days and counting.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Denouement [Part 1]

“Working up to the denouement, or in other words, the moment of revelation when the audience sees the point of the story, unquestionably…

Daily Dialogue — September 14, 2019

“ I should hang; I’m a hypocrite. I ask for sincerity and I lie. I denounce the system as I embrace it. I want money and power and…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty September Challenge: Day 13

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