Go Into The Story

The Business of Screenwriting: Who does what in a writer-representative relationship?

Let’s assume you get a manager and/or agent to represent you. Then what? What are their responsibilities as a representative? What are…

Daily Dialogue — May 23, 2019

“I had no idea she was this good.”

Trimming Tricks of the Trade

Page count. A screenwriter must be cognizant of it. Even if you don’t subscribe to the theories of screenwriting gurus like Syd Field, who…

Go Into The Story Resource: Writing and the Creative Life

Dozens of articles about creativity, what it is, how to nurture it, and steer our writing into the center of our creative soul.

Reader Question: How to convey a character’s emotional state in scene description?

How much latitude does a screenwriter have to ‘editorialize’ in scene description?

Video: How to Write a Fight Scene

With visual inspiration from the John Wick movie series.

Script To Screen: “Sex, Lies, andVideotape”

Anybody who cares about the indie film world should hold the 1989 movie Sex, Lies, and Videotape in high esteem. During the 80s when the…

Daily Dialogue — May 22, 2019

Mike Rezendes: We got Law. This is it. Walter ‘Robby’ Robinson: No, this is Law covering for one priest, there’s another ninety out there…

How They Write A Script: Terry Southern

The screenwriter of an amazing array of movies including Candy, The Magic Christian, Dr. Strangelove, Easy Rider, Casino Royale, and…

Are you a ‘push’ writer or a ‘pull’ writer?

Do you do your best creative work when you’re ‘pushed’… or ‘pulled’?

Spec Script Deal: “Voicemails for Isabelle”

Sony Pictures Entertainment acquires romantic comedy spec script “Voicemails for Isabelle” written by Leah McKendrick. Via Deadline:

Go Into The Story Resource: Screenwriting Tweetstorms

Currently 67 Twitter threads posted by professional screenwriters, TV writers, producers, and others in the movie and TV business.

Screenwriting 101: Gary Whitta

“It used to be that I’d start each writing day by reviewing the previous day’s pages. But that would usually wind up with me spending the…

Daily Dialogue — May 21, 2019

“For the last six years, we’ve been playing catch-up. And now thanks to the President of the United States, who by the way has taken a shit…

The Coen Brothers, Storytelling, and Fate

A poem by Ethan Coen reveals a key clue to the brothers’ story sensibilities.

One Way to Get Your Foot in the Door in the Movie and TV Business

It’s tough to break into the entertainment business as a screenwriter, but there are plenty of other jobs which can be a springboard to…

Go Into The Story Resource: How To Read A Screenplay

If you’re serious about learning the craft, here are some ways to dig into scripts.

On Writing

“Creation is not a moment of inspiration but a lifetime of endurance. The drawers of the world are full of things begun. Unfinished…

Daily Dialogue — May 20, 2019

Walter Burns: You can get married all you want, Hildy, but you can’t quit the newspaper business. Hildy Johnson: Well, why not? Walter…

Screenwriting News (May 13-May 19, 2019)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

“Aristotle”: A poem

This poem by Billy Collins conveys how three-act structure can take a story… anywhere.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Up”

Pixar filmmakers are masters at setups and payoffs as in the script for Up.

Go Into The Story Resource: Script To Screen

Over 100 excerpts from scripts compared to the their movie versions.

Interview (Video): Orson Welles

The famous 1960 Paris conversation is back online!

Daily Dialogue — May 19, 2019

“If Tom had learned anything… it was that you can’t ascribe great cosmic significance to a simple earthly event. Coincidence, that’s all…