Go Into The Story

Go Into The Story Interview: Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

Screenwriting Advice From The Past: The Actor’s Angle [Part 1]

If you are a screenwriter, you should know about Anita Loos. Loos was one of the most influential writers in the early stages of American…

Daily Dialogue — April 14, 2019

“Now we’re cooking!”

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 386th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 13

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit…

Interview (Part 6): Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Dessert

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,985 consecutive days and counting.

“Fast Color director Julia Hart talks representation in superhero movies and beyond”

“I’m not a politician. I’m not an activist. I’m a filmmaker. So I feel a responsibility to myself, to my children, to other people’s…

Daily Dialogue — April 13, 2019

Marie: Why don’t you both put your guns down, and go home?  Harry: Don’t be stupid. This is the shootout.

Complications, Roadblocks, and Reversals

In a story, a reader wants to see the Protagonist overcome obstacles along the way. Here are three ways for you to approach writing those…

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 12

This is the 9th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week, I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a…

Spec Script Deal: “Meet the MacHines”

Lionsgate acquires the comedy spec script “Meet the MacHines” written by Matt Lieberman. From Deadline:

Interview (Part 5): Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

Writing and the Creative Life: How Does “Creativity” Translate Across Different Cultures?

“Globally, we move from this image or old fascination of the individual genius toward an idea that everyone can create. And beyond that, we…

Daily Dialogue — April 12, 2019

“Do you think it’s too late for us to get romantically involved?”

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 11

This is the 10th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week, I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a…

Interview (Part 4): Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

The Business of Screenwriting: What to do on the day your movie premieres

On average, a human being will experience about 30,000 days in their life. I don’t know how many of those days are truly special, but…

Daily Dialogue — April 11, 2019

“Don’t point that gun at my mum.”

Protagonist v. Nemesis: Keys to Conflict

The simplest way to imbue a story with a strong, central conflict is to have your Protagonist confront a Nemesis.

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 10

This is the 9th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Last week, I provided a daily explanation about why you should make it a habit…

Minimum Words, Maximum Impact

The origin and importance of one of the best screenwriting mantras… ever!

Interview (Part 3): Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter

My interview with the 2018 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winners.

Script To Screen: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”

As a salute to Halloween, how about a cut from the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Daily Dialogue — April 10, 2019

“You see, in this world, there’s two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns. And those who dig.”