Go Into The Story

The Importance of a Strong Story Concept

“It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of a story idea to the eventual success of a spec script.”

Spec Script Deal: Untitled Jacob Chase Supernatural Thriller

Paramount Pictures acquires an untitled supernatural thriller written by Jacob Chase. Via Deadline:

The Business of Screenwriting: Anatomy of a Deal (Part 2)

“Warner Bros. They want to buy ‘Mr. President’.”

Daily Dialogue — July 25, 2019

Charlie Meadows: And I could tell you some stories… Barton Fink: Sure you could and yet many writers do everything in their power to…

Reader Question: How to raise the stakes in the plot?

One suggestion: Focus on and elevate the Protagonist’s psychological stakes.

30 Things About Screenwriting

Free downloadable Go Into The Story eBook.

Script To Screen: “Up”

From the 2009 Pixar movie Up, screenplay by Bob Peterson and Pete Docter, story by Peter Docter and Bob Peterson & Thomas McCarthy, the…

Daily Dialogue — July 24, 2019

Laurel Gray: [on a scene in Dix’s script] I love the love scene — it’s very good. Dixon Steele: Well that’s because they’re not always…

Where did all the screenwriting forums go?

The way people interface with the online screenwriting community has changed over the last decade for better… and worse.

Reader Question: Advice for someone wanting to give writing a full-time shot?

First and foremost, you have to want it. I mean really want it. The competition is fierce. Think of it this way: Any time you aren’t…

Screenwriting 101: Sallie West

“I invent people I like, people with whom I would like to spend time. People with depth and humor and humility… If you didn’t like your…

Daily Dialogue — July 23, 2019

Niki Trumbo: We’re having birthday cake. Dalton Trumbo: When you hear me working, you don’t knock. Niki Trumbo: But it’s my birthday…

Script To Screen: “Unforgiven”

From the 1992 movie Unforgiven, written by David Webb Peoples, the movie’s Final Struggle sequence.

“Turn on. Tune in. Drop out.”

Wherein we appropriate the words of Timothy Leary for some writing advice.

On Writing

I used to outline what I was going to do. I don’t do that so much anymore. It’s part of trying to loosen up the process and not know…

Daily Dialogue — July 22, 2019

“To begin… To begin… How to start? I’m hungry. I should get coffee. Coffee would help me think. Maybe I should write something first, then…

Writers on Characters

Quotes from professional writers about the importance of characters in the story-writing process.

Great Scene: “There Will Be Blood”

The last scene of There Will Be Blood is one of the most gut-wrenching finales in recent film history. Written and directed by Paul Thomas…

Go Into The Story Interview: Jeff Maysh

My conversation with the author of long-form narrative non-fiction articles of which nearly 20 have been optioned or sold for their movie…

Daily Dialogue — July 21, 2019

Jack: Now, I’m really sorry to be upsetting you, but I have to warn you. David: Warn me? Jack: We were attacked by a werewolf. David…

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: What to Write and Not to Write [Part 3]

“At the present time, the material most in demand is the story with the emotional woman as the star, good light comedies, satires upon…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Screenwriter

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 4,083 consecutive days and counting.

Interview (Written): Lulu Wang

A conversation with the writer-director of the indie film The Farewell.

Daily Dialogue — July 20, 2019

Leonard: It’s quiet. Dr. Sayer: It’s late. Everyone’s asleep. Leonard: I’m not asleep. Dr. Sayer: No. You’re awake.

Thanks for your reflections, Tim.

But know this — as noted in the OP — everyone in Hollywood development circles uses three act structure when discussing stories. So writer…